At The Foot of God - Aatma Manthan Museum - DPAGES - a design publication for lovers of all things cool & beautiful

At The Foot of God – Aatma Manthan Museum

Unveiled…

in 2022, the ‘Statue of Belief’ depicting the Hindu god Shiva in Nathdwara, Rajasthan, is among the five tallest statues in the world. Seated in a meditative pose, the 369-foot-high deity glimmers in copper-red tones from atop a hill, surveying the sweeping verdant landscape of the Rajsamand district. The height and grandeur of the figure are an unabashed expression of spiritual splendor and awe, as well as a monumental tribute to human endeavor—a sentiment further celebrated by the many attractions surrounding the edifice, including high-rise walkways, a garden maze, and even a go-karting track.

At the base of the statue, a new museum called Aatma Manthan (inspired by the Sanskrit term for introspection) is dedicated to fostering an atmosphere of self-healing and private contemplation. The design talent behind this expansive structure is the internationally acclaimed firm Sanjay Puri Architects, known for its visionary projects that include temples, churches, cultural institutions, office buildings, and entire residential cities, such as the sprawling Rustomjee Global City in Mumbai.

Sanjay Puri Architects…

is renowned for its adventurous and inventive use of diverse volumetric shapes within a single composition—sometimes sharply angular, other times more rounded and organic—creating a compelling visual complexity. No two projects look alike; yet, Sanjay Puri’s avant-garde touch—audacious, futuristic, and at times positively aerodynamic—serves as an inimitable signature in the world of contemporary architecture.

With its…

well-established surroundings, the site’s irregular 18,000 sq. ft. floor plan posed no challenge for the team, whose main focus was to create a sense of cohesion from room to room. This approach nurtured a calming architectural effect synonymous with the ideas of journey and discovery, encouraging visitors to feel mentally transported and physically energized by their surroundings.

Concrete…

may be one of the world’s strongest construction materials, but here, in its foam concrete form – low in density and high in strength – it takes on a light, fluid appearance. This is enhanced by a smooth sculptural application, full of curves, undulations, and graceful columns that read as seamlessly connected as if carved from a single mass of ancient stone.

The intricate…

play of light and shadow adds depth and intrigue to every corner of this subterranean temple, casting enchanting patterns on the dove grey interior and highlighting the continuum of structural forms. In this way, interior elements such as the reception desk, benches, organic columns, and partition walls are seamlessly linked, creating a fluid transition where one form ends and another begins.

Unlike conventional …

museums, this innovative concept invites visitors to ‘feel’ first and ‘think’ second, thanks to a variety of audio-visuals and immersive experiences across 18 sequential zones. Soundproofing is achieved through foam concrete, known for its excellent thermal and acoustic insulation properties, resulting in a quieter visitor experience that sharpens the senses to personal breathing techniques, vibrant lighting effects, and the attraction’s many interactive screens. Speaking about the newly unveiled museum, principal architect Sanjay Puri describes the building material as a canvas for inner thoughts to take shape: “We used a single material. Foam concrete by FlexStone [to encapsulate] the floor, walls, ceiling, structural columns, reception, and seating benches in a homogeneous, fluid way,” creating a sanctuary of “sinuous silhouettes.”

Minimalist yet charged with sensorial appeal, the unique Aatma Manthan museum stands as a transformative space where material innovation and digital technology converge, inviting visitors to embark on a profound journey of self-discovery and connection.