Ayodhya Maharishi Valmiki International Airport: A story in every pillar, every mural

Every column of the Maharishi Valmiki International Airport in Ayodhya narrates a story of dedication, courage, and spirituality, Sthapati architect Harsh Varshneya says. (Photo courtesy Sthapati)

Architect Harsh Varshneya calls it a coincidence that his mother, architect Vipul B. Varshney, had begun writing the book Ayodhya: A walkthrough much before their company Sthapati was awarded the contract to design the Maharishi Valmiki International Airport at Ayodhya. The Sthapati team, including Vipul B. Varshneya, Harsh Varshneya, Khushboo Bansal, Anuj Varshneya and Manish Gupta, has designed the airport in collaboration with the planning and designing team of the Airport Authority of India.

Harsh Varshneya joined in from his Lucknow office for an interview in which he spoke about the inspirations and ideology behind the airport at Ayodhya. (This interview has been edited and condensed.)

So, let’s go back to the time when your team was at the drawing board. What were the main thought processes during the initial stage?

At the drawing board, our main intentions were to capture the spirit of Ayodhya and translate its timeless charm into architectural elements. Inspired by the Nagara style, we aimed to create a design that welcomes passengers and immerses them in Ayodhya's cultural narrative. We intended to go beyond a mere airport and envisioned a space embodying the city's essence. I remember taking an 8am stroll along the Sarayu River and observing that in spite of the city being segmented, everyone there has a sense of belonging to the city and the river. There is a spirit of celebration that is unique to Ayodhya. We have tried to incorporate all this into the design.

At the Ayodhya airport. (Photos © Noughts and Crosses, courtesy Sthapati)

Since the Ram Mandir work had already begun, was there an attempt to replicate the design of the temple considering that too has been done in the Nagara style?

We had taken a decision not to compete with the architecture of the Ram Mandir but instead try and complement it. This was a conscious effort on our part. So, the airport is an amalgamation of cultural influences, with our design paying homage by incorporating intricate and symbolic elements reminiscent of Ayodhya's rich heritage. For instance, at the main entrance, a grand stepped shikar (spire) stands tall, adorned with brass. This design follows the Nagara style, presenting a majestic and culturally rich welcome to the passengers. There is also the toran dwar (arched doorway) at the entrance of the airport.

You said earlier that the envisioned space embodies the city’s essence. Describe some of the elements that align with Ayodhya’s heritage.

The city’s heritage and story unfold through intricate columns, each laden with profound symbolism. The mega columns supporting the terminal roof symbolise the Kandas of Ramayana, blending cultural richness into the airport's architecture. The Khandika, symbolising impermanence, coexists with the Deva Gana Patta which embodies divine features. Every column narrates a story of dedication, courage, and spirituality, weaving the city's essence into the very fabric of the airport.

There’s the need to reinforce heritage but as an architectural firm, how have you balanced the city’s heritage with today’s sustainable requirements?

In Ayodhya, a city steeped in eternal legacy, the choice of building materials has undergone a transformative shift. Historically, the construction of buildings was never so energy intensive and sustained construction methodologies were used. Fast forward to 2023-24, a conscious effort has been made to embrace sustainable solutions in building materials, reflecting a commitment to harmonious coexistence with the environment of this iconic city.

Embracing carbon neutrality with eco-conscious Glass Fiber Reinforced Concrete (GRC) materials, the design pioneers sustainable practices. Ornamental work, meticulously crafted in GRC after extensive research and technical precision, replaces traditional stone facades and significantly contributes to environmental sustainability, resulting in substantial carbon emission reduction.

What interesting features would you suggest a traveller to take some time to observe?

The journey is physical and spiritual for the devotees and pilgrims who will tread the corridors of Ayodhya airport. Visitors should take a moment to appreciate the intricate details incorporated into the airport's design. The stepped shikar at the entrance, the symbolic columns narrating the stories of Ramayana, and the Bow and Arrow mural which conveys a powerful message. The skylights are strategically positioned for wayfinding and sensory appeal, and the overall layout blending aviation design with vernacular architecture, offers unique features worth observing.

Is there a scope for expansion of the airport, considering that it may become the hub for pilgrims travelling from across the world?

The airport is strategically designed to further develop Ayodhya as one of the world's largest pilgrimage centres, providing seamless connectivity and making the journey to the city more accessible and enriching for pilgrims. The built-up area of the airport is 8,000 sq metres while the master plan is for 336.59 acres. The building itself can be expanded to the left and the right in a modular fashion. This is just the beginning. Ten years down the line, we should be able to see a great deal of expansion, with hotels and other infrastructure in place.

You may have been through worldclass airports and had the opportunity to notice what makes them special. Did you have any airport as an inspiration when designing the airport at Ayodhya?

We didn’t because our main goal was to make the building unique to the city itself. This has been our guideline and the airports that we are currently doing follow the same line of thinking. For instance, the Leh airport at Ladakh is designed around Buddhist architecture while the Jammu’s airport building façade takes inspiration from the former royal residence of the Maharaja of J&K. We are also doing the airport at Imphal and an international-domestic airport at Bagdogra, which will also be unique to the city they are in.