ICTAAS 2025
Indian Temple Architecture holds a captivating allure, drawing scholars and enthusiasts from a wide spectrum of disciplines. The International Conference on Temple Architecture, Art, and Science (ICTAAS) serves as an eminent forum where experts and academics from around the globe convene to present and discuss their ideas and insights into the vast domain of Indian Temple Architecture and its related sciences. ICTAAS 2025 welcomes scholarly contributions in both English and Sanskrit, fostering a space for deep inquiry into subjects encompassing Architecture, Planning, Metaphysics, Ancient Indian Sciences, Art and its Appreciation, Indic Shastras, Cosmology, Astronomy, Iconography, Geometry, Building Sciences and related fields. (Please refer to Themes in this Conference for a comprehensive list of topics).
Keynote Speakers
Dr. Nandini Bhattacharya Shahu
Dr. Nandini Bhattacharya Shahu is the Joint Director General (Monument-I, Publication), Ministry of Culture, Archaeological Survey of India, Government of India. She has been working in this area as a field archaeologist, specializing in Prehistoric, Proto Historical Excavations and Explorations. While heading the Prehistory and Excavation Branch I of the Archaeological Survey of India, she discovered and documented 247 rock art sites.
Nilesh Oak
Nilesh Oak is an author, researcher, and speaker, dedicated to unraveling the scientific and historical roots of Indian civilization. He authored “When Did the Mahabharata War Happen?,” “The Historic Rama,” and “Bhishma Nirvana.” A TEDx speaker and adjunct faculty at the Institute of Advanced Sciences, he combines logical reasoning with scientific rigor to promote understanding of India’s profound cultural heritage worldwide.
Nilesh Oak
Nilesh Oak is an author, researcher, and speaker, dedicated to unraveling the scientific and historical roots of Indian civilization. He authored “When Did the Mahabharata War Happen?,” “The Historic Rama,” and “Bhishma Nirvana.” A TEDx speaker and adjunct faculty at the Institute of Advanced Sciences, he combines logical reasoning with scientific rigor to promote understanding of India’s profound cultural heritage worldwide.
Dr. Tanisha Dutta
Dr. Tanisha Dutta, Director of Samvay Knowledge Enrichment Pvt. Ltd., is an Architect, Environmental Planner, Artist and Temple Architecture Consultant with a PhD in Fractal Geometry in Temple Architecture. Her expertise spans Temple Architecture, Symbolism, Vastu-Shastra, Temple Metaphysics, Green Buildings, Sustainability, and Art Therapy. Her insight into the symbiotic relationship between Symbolism and Fractals in the Hindu Temple context is remarkable. Dr. Dutta strives to promote in-depth investigation and analysis into Indic Studies reinforcing the Indian Knowledge Systems through her work.
Our Features
Expert Speakers
Opportunity
Conference Topics
Khajuraho Tour
Conference Venue
Advisory Panel
Dr. Nandini Bhattacharya Sahu
Joint Director General (Archaeology) at ASI, specialized in Excavations, Rock Art and Conservation
Dr. Nandini Bhattacharya Sahu, Joint Director General (Archaeology) at ASI, specializes in excavations, rock art, and conservation, with notable work on 225 decorated rock shelters in Gawilgarh Hills and the Markanda temple complex. A prolific researcher with 25+ publications, she actively contributes to global seminars and archaeological advancements.
Lt. Col. Dr. Akella Amarendra Babu
Retired Indian Army Lieutenant Colonel, Founder Veda Samskruti Samiti and Fellow of IETE
Lt Col. Dr. Akella Amarendra Babu is the founder of Veda Samskruti Samiti, he has led defense projects, taught at top institutions, and specializes in telecom, electronic warfare, and Vedic sciences. A Fellow of IETE, he has published 19 research papers, two book chapters, and a patent, earning numerous awards and presenting research globally. He is a multidisciplinary expert with experience in defense, Information Technology and academia.
Dr. Joy Sen
Architect, Planner and Professor at IIT Kharagpur with expertise in Urban and Regional Planning, Sustainability and Heritage Studies
Dr. Joy Sen is a distinguished Professor with 50+ peer-reviewed publications and seven books authored, he has led significant academic, administrative, and consultancy projects, earning accolades like the G. S. Sanyal Faculty Excellence Award.
Prof. Nishant Manapure
Principal and Professor at Priyadarshini Institute of Architecture and Design Studies, Nagpur
Prof. Nishant Manapure is a respected and loved mentor. His areas of expertise include Architectural Pedagogy, Human-Centric Public Space Design, Resource Sensitive Interior Design, Healthy Cities, Urban Design for Children, and Water Sensitive Urban Design based on traditional wisdom.
Dr. Pankaj Saxena
Author, Co-Founder and Director of Cultural Research at Brhat
Dr. Pankaj Saxena writes on Hindu Temples, Arts, Literature, History and Culture. His writing explains the beauty of Sanātana Dharma and Bhāratvarṣa through stories about Traditions, Communities and Culture. He has a deep interest in Cultural Anthropology, Evolutionary Biology and Ecology, and has visited more than 1200 ancient temples.
Ramakrishna Kongalla
Assistant Professor at IITTM, Gwalior, specialization in Indian Culture and Heritage, Temple Architecture and Iconography
Ramakrishna Kongalla is a graduate in Tourism Management and Biotechnology. He integrates expertise in travel photography and heritage preservation. His work includes content development for tourism programs, mentoring in Indian Knowledge Systems, and authoring books on Temple Heritage and Interpretation.
Dr. Sameer Deshkar
Assistant Professor at VNIT Nagpur, leads the IRDR Center for Resilient Communities
Dr. Sameer Deshkar's work focuses on community resilience, urban-rural sustainability, and disaster risk reduction. He has guided over 32 postgraduates and has numerous publications to his credit.
Hemant Lodha
Director at SMS Ltd., Member of ICAI, Expertise in General Corporate Management and Study of Scriptures
Hemant Lodha currently heads India’s second-largest waste management company and is the founder of Helplink Charitable Trust, which works towards providing education to underprivileged children.
Dr. Madhura Rathod
Associate Professor at SMMCA Nagpur, Principal Director of Varnan Space Planners
Dr. Madhura Rathod specializes in Heritage Conservation, Sustainable Design, and Architectural Education. She actively documents Heritage Sites, Guides Research, Organizes Workshops, and collaborates with INTACH and Vidarbha Heritage Society to promote Architectural History and Conservation.
Dr. Sheshshayan Deshmukh
Joint Secretary of Vidarbha Research Society, Nagpur, Specializes in Indology
Dr. Sheshshayan Deshmukh's passion for preserving heritage led him to successfully traced a 300-year-old illustrated manuscript of Dnaneshwari from Nagpur, at Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, USA. For the past decade, he has been organizing monthly heritage awareness seminars at Vidarbha Research Society, fostering a deeper appreciation of cultural legacy.
CA Shantanu Paranjape
Founder, School of Indian History, Experti in Temple Architecture and History of Maharashtra
CA Shantanu Paranjape has been conducting online classes on Temple Architecture of India and heritage tourism since the last 6 years. He has travelled to more than 200 temples across India and authored two books.
Pakhee Kumar
Lecturer at University College London, specializes in sustainable heritage and data analysis, blending technology with heritage conservation
Pakhee kumar is a conservation architect with interdisciplinary experience across India, Italy, Denmark, and the UK. She develops AI tools for disaster-related heritage analysis and researches the impacts of climate change and decolonization on heritage practices. Her innovative projects include crowdsourcing for disaster-affected cultural heritage and advancing sustainable management of historic buildings.
Shantanu Shriram Ingle
Proprietor at Pratibha Shilp, is affiliated with the Municipal Corporation of Nagpur and the Municipal Council of Ramtek.
Specializing in Sculpture and Archaeology, he has discovered prehistoric rock shelters in Maharashtra, published two papers in archaeology, and is currently working on an ASI conservation project in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh. He has sculpted numerous stone and metal statues across India.
Nitika Ramani
A Principal Architect at Space Construct Architects in Nagpur, specializing in urban design, space planning, interior design, heritage conservation and Vaastu.
With experience in architectural workshops and heritage documentation, she is a visiting professor and a dedicated member of INTACH and the Vidarbha Heritage Society, organizing heritage walks and cultural activities.
Prof. Vandana Khante
Professor, Architect, Urban Planner and Educator with over 18 years of experience. Specializes in Urban Design, Sustainability and Heritage Conservation
Ar. Vandana Khante is the Officiating Principal at TGPCA, Nagpur. She has Coordinated numerous Workshops, Research Projects and Academic Programs. She has won awards like the Academic Excellence Award (2011) & Nation Builder Award (2015). Her expertise spans Urban Planning, Architectural Pedagogy and Sustainable Development. Has published extensively and actively contributes to bodies like COA, IIA, ITPI, and INTACH.
Ar. Radhika Pathak
Associate Professor, PIADS Nagpur
Ar. Radhika Pathak is a member of IIA, ITPI, and IIID. She excels in residential interior design and architectural education blending academia and architectural practice with a vibrance in design and lifestyle industry. Beyond architecture, she is a celebrated participant and jury member in national and international beauty pageants, as well as a content creator and influencer on social media.
Dr. Rupesh Manohar Surwade
Architect and Product Designer, Associate Professor at Priyadarshini Institute of Architecture and Design Studies, Nagpur
Dr. Rupesh Manohar Surwade is a distinguished academician, researcher, and design professional with a keen interest in design pedagogy and innovation. With over 18 years of experience, his expertise spans architecture, industrial design, and construction techniques.
Dr. Namrata Tharwani Gaurkehde
Architect and Urban Researcher, Ph.D. in Urban and Environmental Studies
Dr. Namrata Gaurkhede has a vast consultancy experience, contributing to several large-scale urban development projects, like Ward Development Plan for Raipur, World Bank, Naya Raipur Development, GIFT City in Gandhinagar, DB City, and various regional planning assignments. Her research focuses on sustainable urban development, stakeholder-driven planning, and the integration of spatial and smart technologies for resilient cities.
Dr. Trupti R. Chauhan
Associate Professor, Department of Design, Manipal School of Architecture and Planning, Manipal Academic and Higher Education, Manipal
Dr. Trupti Dabe is Academic Coordinator, handling landscape consultancy projects under MSAP consultancy cell, peer reviewer for SCI journals.
Reviewer Panel
Dr. Sarika Bahadure
Assistant Professor, Department of Architecture & Planning at Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology, Nagpur
Dr. Sarika Bahadure's expertise includes Sustainability, Urban Planning, Urban Open Spaces, Solar Potential, Neighborhoods, Research Methods, and Design Pedagogy.
Dr. Akshay Prabhakar Patil
Architect-Urban Designer and Associate Professor at Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology.
His expertise includes Urban Design, Complexity Science, Agent-Based Modelling, Informal Sector, Architectural Acoustics, and Energy-Cities
Dr. Pankaj Bahadure
Assistant Professor, Architect, Urban Planner at Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology, Nagpur
Dr. Pankaj Bahadure has 20 years of teaching experience and his expertise includes Barrier-Free Built Environments, Compact Cities, and Transport Accessibility, alongside involvement in research and urban planning projects.
Editorial Panel
Ar. Manisha Yelne
Assistant Professor, Priyadarshini Institute of Architecture and Design Studies, Nagpur
Ar. Manisha Yelne is expert in architecture, design and she combines practical insights with academic teaching, contributing to creative and contemporary architectural education.
Ar. Shrutee Dhanorkar
Assistant Professor, Priyadarshini Institute of Architecture and Design Studies, Nagpur
Ar. Shrutee Dhanorkar is an expert in Architectural Education and Innovative Teaching Methods. As a researcher, she has published 13 papers, authored five book chapters, and presented at International Conferences.
Ar. Surakasha BN
Research Scholar, VNIT Nagpur, specializing in the Urban Built Environment, Architecture and Urban Planning
Ar. Surakasha B N is an expert in Urban Planning has presented her B.Arch thesis at ISOLA Bengaluru and a research article at ICSDI Riyadh in 2024. She has won many accolades including National Temple Towns Competition organized by ITPI.
Choose a Registration
Poster Submission
About Conference
Schedule
10.00 AM - 01.00 PM
ICTAAS
Temple Tour
Temples tour with expert and on site sketching. NOTE: All Delegates will be free by 5:00pm.
Conference Topics
The conference will encompass a diverse range of themes and topics, including:
Temple Architecture
Focuses on Form, Geometry, Planning Strategies, and Design Concepts for understanding spaces.
Building Science
Explores Construction Techniques and Material Science in Temple Architecture for Conservation.
Metaphysics
Delves into philosophical insights shaping Architectural Ideologies and Spiritual Foundations.
Mathematics of Hindu Temples
Examines Geometric Mathematical Principles embedded in Temple Design.
Ancient Knowledge Systems in Hindu Temples
Highlights traditional wisdom influencing Temple Architecture, Rituals and Allied Influences.
Gurukul Education System
Explores ancient pedagogical frameworks rooted in holistic learning methodologies and the architectural setting for it.
Allied and Miscellaneous
Covers interdisciplinary studies connecting Architecture, Design, Archaeology, Cultural Heritage, History Ancient Shastras and related subjects.
Sanskrit Papers
Encourages scholarly submissions in Sanskrit or Sanskrit- English combination to promote accessibility and preservation of language and texts.
Cosmology & Astronomy
Explores the deep relationship between Astronomical settings and their impacts on principles of Temple Art, Architecture and Science.
These themes aim to foster a comprehensive dialogue on traditional and contemporary practices.
For more insight and ideas into these areas of study, please contact ictaasindia@gmail.com.
Downloads
Authors Instructions
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Paper Writing Template
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Abstract Template
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Poster Template
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Important Dates / Deadlines
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Abstract Submission Deadline | 31st March 2025 |
| Last Notification for Abstract Acceptance & Approval to present | 30th April 2025 |
| Last Date to Submit Full Paper | 15th June 2025 |
| Notification of Acceptance of Paper | 15th July 2025 |
| Last Date for Early Bird Registration | 31st March 2025 |
| Short Paper Submission / Poster Submission | 30th June 2025 |
| Deadline for Presentation | 15th July 2025 |
| Last Date for Registration | 30th July 2025 |
| Conference Program Release | 30th July 2025 |
| Conference Launch | 19th September 2025 |
| Letter of Visa (for delegates who need visa for entry) *payment required | 15th June 2025 |
Registration Fee and Dates
Registration For | Fee (in Indian Rupees) | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
Presenting Delegate Fee | 15,000 /- | 15th July 2025 |
Early Bird Registration | 12,000 /- | 15th April 2025 |
Attending Delegate | 15,000 /- | 15th August 2025 |
Student Registration (Undergrad. & Postgrad.) | 12,000 /- | (Deadlines Same) |
REGISTER NOW
Opportunity
ICTAAS is a premier global forum on Indian Temple Architecture, uniting scholars, architects, and enthusiasts to explore the cultural, artistic, and scientific dimensions of ancient temples. With sessions in English and Sanskrit, it’s a unique opportunity to engage in discussions on themes like metaphysics, ancient sciences, and art. Join us to gain insights, connect with experts, and contribute to the global discourse on this captivating heritage.
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Venue
Khajuraho is a breathtaking magical tourist destination with ancient Indian temple architecture. The Nagara style temples showcase the rich heritage and tell the stories of a time of grandeur and excellence, famous for their Fractal Architectural Symbolism. Khajuraho monuments are located in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, in Chattarpur district, about 620 kilometres (385 miles) southeast of New Delhi. Khajuraho has a population of about 24,481. This destination serves as an ideal location for an intellectual discussion on Temple Architecture adding the vibrance and intrigue metaphysical thought.
Travel Partners
Contact our travel partners to plan your stay.
Trivago
Mc World Travel Advisors Pvt Ltd
Call Coordinators for more details.
Leena: +91 89758 03829
Akshay: +91 87999 25782
ICTAAS 2025 Glimpse
