Flagship project · In progress

Shri Bhavani Dham

Limbdi, Surendranagar, Gujarat

A 131 ft marble temple to Bhavani Mata, hand-carved in Makrana marble without a single piece of iron. Here is the project in full: the drawings, the films, and the work in progress photographed stage by stage.

One of our landmark works in progress, a majestic marble temple dedicated to Bhavani Mata, honouring the legacy of Bhavani Mata and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Hand-carved in Makrana marble in the tradition of Vaastu and Shilp Shastra, without a single piece of iron.

131 ft
Shikhar height
9,000 sq ft
Carpet area
124
Carved pillars
Makrana
Marble
2,50,000
Cu ft stone used
85,000 t
Tonnes of stone
5,90,000
Cu ft foundation dug
Progress

A matter of great pride: in a single year, 33% of the stone carving and fitting has been completed. The entire project is advancing rapidly, with exceptional craftsmanship and quality.

Work in progress, step by stepSite photographs
  1. 01

    Plan and site layout

    May 2023

    The proposal plan was finalised with the trust on site, and the temple was then set out full size on the ground in lime.

    Trustees studying the proposal plan drawing on site
    The proposal plan, studied on site
    Trustees walking the lime-marked temple layout on the ground
    Trustees walking the marked-out plan
  2. 02

    Setting out

    May 2023

    Centre lines and corner points were set out with laser and instrument, the work carried on after dark so the readings stayed true.

    Setting out the centre lines with a laser at night
    Centre lines set out by laser
    Laser cross lines checked with the instrument at night
    Cross-checked with the instrument
  3. 03

    Foundation excavation

    May 2023

    Excavation for the foundation began, 5,90,000 cu ft of earth and rock taken out in all.

    Excavators and tippers at work on the foundation pit
    Foundation excavation begins
    Foundation trenches cut across the site
    Foundation trenches taken out
    The excavated foundation pit in evening light
    Excavation, evening
  4. 04

    Down to hard rock

    June 2023

    The pit was taken down to the hard rock strata and cleared, so that the temple would stand on solid ground.

    Broken rock loaded into a tipper at the foundation
    Rock broken out and carted away
    Excavation reaching the hard rock strata
    Cut down to the hard rock strata
  5. 05

    Levels and survey

    July 2023

    Levels and grid lines were re-checked with a total station before the plinth work was taken up.

    Surveyors checking levels with a total station on site
    Levels checked with a total station
  6. 06

    The plinth

    September 2023

    The plinth was raised in stone masonry and the platform cast over it, with the column positions set in place.

    The cast plinth platform of the temple
    The plinth platform, cast
    Column positions marked on the plinth platform
    Column positions set on the plinth
    The finished plinth platform with site flags
    The platform, ready
    A wide view across the full plinth platform
    The full plinth, looking across
  7. 07

    Marble on site

    September 2023

    Makrana marble reached the site; the carved blocks are dressed and then set course by course over the plinth.

    Workers dressing marble blocks beside the crane
    Blocks dressed on site
    Carved marble stones stacked beside the stone plinth wall
    Carved stones stacked beside the plinth

Tap any photograph to open it full size.

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