Lalita Ghat is one of the major ghats of the city of Varanasi. The building dates back to the early nineteenth century and over time, the structure had deteriorated and was in need of conservation. A sewage pumping station that had earlier obscured the ghat was relocated as part of the Vishwanath Dham project and this presented an opportunity to provide Lalita Ghat its deserved space at the river bank.
Different parts of the structure needed varying degrees of intervention. The components of the chatri such as the finials and chajjas (sunshades) were absent or severely damaged and hence, were reinstalled. Intricately detailed sandstone column bases, that had been painted over, were chemically cleaned and pointed. The terrace on the top was developed as a seating space with a view of the Ganges for the café behind the structure and the pathway that descends to the river with a flight of stairs was refurbished. Spot, cove, and ambient lighting were also designed for the structure to illuminate the architecture at night, and parapets all along the façade were pointed and refurbished.
The restoration of Lalita Ghat project demonstrates how urban conservation can be integrated with new development to bring structures of historic and cultural value back to life through a modern problem-solving approach.
Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
Start Year: 2018
End Year: 2021
Lalita Ghat is one of the major ghats of the city of Varanasi. The building dates back to the early nineteenth century and over time, the structure had deteriorated and was in need of conservation. A sewage pumping station that had earlier obscured the ghat was relocated as part of the Vishwanath Dham project and this presented an opportunity to provide Lalita Ghat its deserved space at the river bank.
Different parts of the structure needed varying degrees of intervention. The components of the chatri such as the finials and chajjas (sunshades) were absent or severely damaged and hence, were reinstalled. Intricately detailed sandstone column bases, that had been painted over, were chemically cleaned and pointed. The terrace on the top was developed as a seating space with a view of the Ganges for the café behind the structure and the pathway that descends to the river with a flight of stairs was refurbished. Spot, cove, and ambient lighting were also designed for the structure to illuminate the architecture at night, and parapets all along the façade were pointed and refurbished.
The restoration of Lalita Ghat project demonstrates how urban conservation can be integrated with new development to bring structures of historic and cultural value back to life through a modern problem-solving approach.