Perhaps not many are aware that Awadh is a land rich in temples, ghats and rituals. To change this narrative, architect, heritage chronicler and photographer Vipul B. Varshney, who is also the co-founder and principal architect at Sthapati, has launched her book “Temples of Awadh: The Land of Ramayana and Mahabharata”. It maps over 150 temples, ghats and sarovars across Ayodhya, Gorakhpur, Lucknow, Kanpur, Prayagraj and Devipatan.
The book was launched at Universal Booksellers in Gomti Nagar, Lucknow in the presence of scholars, cultural afficionados, and dignitaries. The occasion was marked with a conversation between Chander Prakash, Vice President of ISKCON, Deendayal Krishna Prabhudas, and the author. Varshney explains, “The publication has examined Awadh through its sacred architecture, anchored in classical literature, regional history, and longstanding ritual practices. Descriptions from Valmiki’s Ramayana, Kalidasa, Tulsidas, and references from Skanda Purana have positioned Ayodhya as an urban centre shaped by monumental architecture, mythological continuity, and a distinctive cultural landscape. The book has documented temples, ghats, and sarovars across Ayodhya, Gorakhpur, Lucknow, Kanpur, Prayagraj, and Devipatan. The research draws from scriptural study, archival sources, cartographic mapping, and extensive fieldwork undertaken over five years. Engagements with scholars, sages, and local communities have strengthened the understanding of sites associated with significant narratives from the epics.”
When questioned about her methodology, she shares, “My work is grounded in deep heritage scholarship shaped by my involvement with organisations such as INTACH, ICOMOS, and other cultural conservation bodies. My practice combines architectural experience with rigorous documentation of historic environments, enabling a research framework that strengthens this book with authoritative insight into the region’s sacred architecture and cultural landscapes.”
Varshney has previously published five works on heritage and cultural environments, including “Lucknow: A Treasure” (2009), “Lucknow: A City of Heritage and Culture” (Niyogi Books), “Shaam-e-Awadh” (Bloomsbury, 2017), “Musings in Benares” (2021), and a book on Ayodhya (2023). As an architect, she has also contributed to the design of the Ayodhya airport which was inaugurated in 2023. Speaking about her book, she says “With nearly 200 pages and documentation of 150 temples supported by maps, drawings, and panoramic photographs, ‘Temples of Awadh’ has added a significant layer to the existing scholarship on Awadh. As the first publication dedicated exclusively to the temple architecture of the region, it serves as a valuable resource for architects, conservation professionals, cultural researchers, and visitors engaging with Awadh’s evolving urban and spiritual landscape. Awadh has long captured the hearts and minds of people across ages. Many of the earliest streams of our civilizational history were conceived on this very land, and temples have always been the pillars of India’s civilizational continuity. History has shown us that civilizations that drift away from their cultural roots eventually fade. Awadh reminds us of the power of culture to sustain, guide, and inspire societies across centuries.”
Varshney’s firm Sthapati is a multidisciplinary architectural practice based out of Lucknow and New Delhi. They work across a spectrum of building typologies, from private dwellings to large-scale urban developments, and are best known for their work with airport terminals and public transportation infrastructure, as well as for their heritage conservation efforts. “The firm has successfully restored many significant sites across the length and breadth of the country. Sthapati’s work extends beyond the Indian subcontinent and we are fortunate to have received numerous prestigious awards. We are a multidisciplinary architectural practice rooted in Indian values, forging a global legacy through the power of meaningful human connections. At Sthapati, our ethos centres on celebrating diversity through cultural integration while fostering a global outlook and achieving collaborative excellence. We believe in building beyond boundaries, ensuring that our architectural marvels resonate on an international scale. We understand that true excellence is born from collaboration, which is why our architects, designers, and clients work seamlessly together to achieve outstanding results in every project.”
Varshney declares herself to be a heritage enthusiast and urban planner, but she is also a prolific author with over 150 articles published in national dailies and presented at national and international conferences. Moving beyond the subcontinent, she has worked on notable projects in Mauritius too. She shares, “Over and above the commercial and infrastructure projects at Sthapati, my portfolio has an equal focus on interventions that maximize the impact that architecture has on community-building.”
Some of her noteworthy projects include post-earthquake reconstruction efforts in Bhuj, Gujarat, the redevelopment of the National School of Drama, New Delhi, and the design of India’s highest-altitude airport in Leh, Ladakh. Varshney is the Convenor of INTACH (Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage), Lucknow Chapter, and is an adviser to the National Scientific Committee of ICO in MOS (International Council of Monuments and Sites), India.
Her work has brought her several prestigious recognitions, including the Heritage Award from the Uttar Pradesh government at Ganj Carnival, the UP Ratna Award in 2013, and the Shakti Samman in 2015 from the Governor of UP. She was also a recipient of the A3 International Foundation’s Excellence in Architectural Journalism Award in 2016. She was honoured with the “Women of the Year’” award in the creative field by the Sahara Welfare Foundation in 2004. Further, she directed a series of Art Festivals from 1997 to 2005 at her gallery, Gallery d’Art—quite an achievement at a time when state-run galleries were a rarity. “My work in documenting Lucknow’s intangible heritage is a testament to my dedication to safeguarding the unique cultural heritage in the face of rampant urbanisation,” she says, signing off.
- Noor Anand Chawla pens lifestyle articles for various publications and her blog www.nooranandchawla.com.
