Development of Iconic Tourist Sites In
India – Somnath
Somnath, Gujarat, India
Development Plan for Somnath Temple Town has integrated planning
at its core, bringing in connections between temple precinct and rest of
the town and developing the precinct to enhance the overall
experientiality and efficiency. Further, the plan focuses on developing
secondary nodes offering different tourists services that are contextual
to the location and also offer a wholesome experience. The project was
one of the 17 sites identified by Ministry of Tourism, GoI to be developed
as Iconic Tourist Site. The master plan studied and proposed
interventions at the municipal level, regional level and the temple
precinct level. The proposed projects focus on: Enhanced Access and
Connectivity; Redevelopment of temple precinct; Capitalizing upon the
existing heritage potential in Somnath; Developing new tourism
products to make Somnath a wholesome tourist destination and widen
public benefits; Upgradation of public amenities and infrastructure
facilities; Strengthen the branding & marketing; Enable community
integration with the tourist activities.
Size : 350 Acres + Surrounding Region
Services : Master Planning, Sustainability, Urban Design, Viability Assessment, Feasibility & Impact Analysis, Infrastructure Gap Assessment, Development Plan (DP) and Identification of Project Shelff
Collaboration : Jones Lang Lasalle (JLL)
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Sustaining the
Icon Through a
Supportive
Infrastructure
Circuit
Three Level Strategy to Vitalise Tourism
One of the 17 from sites all over the country which were identified by the Government of India to be developed as
iconic sites for tourism to flourish was the city of Somnath in southern Gujarat with its historic and legendary Shiva
Temple. The temple housing one of the 12 Jyotirlingas, destroyed by several invaders in history and rebuilt as
many times, most recently in 1947-1951 in the Chalukya architectural style, is one of the most revered temples in
India, a prime pilgrimage destination for Hindus. Thus, religious tourism being the critical element of the aimed
development with the temple as its focus, INI developed its plan along a three-pronged approach integrating the
temple precincts, the city municipal administration as well as a set of tourism-worthy nodes around the region to
substantiate and support the destination’s tourism environment.
Temple Precinct
Realignment & Revival
Despite an imposing 47 m high Shikhara or spire over
its sanctum sanctorum topped by a 11.2 m high flag
post, the view of the temple from the main approach
road was unclear and cluttered due to the unplanned
development of structures and irregular placement of
hoardings; encroachments on the road, The design
plan envisioned a grand axis from the temple down a
straight approach road and relocating some of the
existing but defunct structures, obtaining a clear view
of the temple throughout. It was further developed by
upgradation of the Prabhas Patan Museum along with
several heritage sites and tourist amenities in the
temple precincts. A Z plus security cover enjoyed by
the Somnath temple mandated planning the entry
and circulation accordingly, with a state-of-the-art
pilgrim plaza equipped with security and crowd
control systems as well as amenities for tourists at the
entrance.
City De-cluttering and
Rejuvenation
Scattered development, unchecked
encroachments and untidy beaches which
deterred the city’s potential to attract tourists
was addressed at the city level. Cleaning of
beaches, upgradation of roads, and streets
providing access to the beaches, improvement
of river and sea edges with walkways and
landscaping. Some social, infrastructural and
cultural interventions were planned like
introducing a ‘Ecohaat’ and rejuvenating the
museum as a cultural village, which would also
help integrate the local community with
activities related to tourism development.
Regional Tourism Hub
Formed by Networking
Secondary Sites
Several secondary sites having the potential
to attract tourists located at reasonable
distances around the same region were
identified to be developed as tourist
attractions. This would help to develop a
networked circuit for local tourism with
Somnath as its hub.
“Integrating Regional Assets for
Sustained Tourism Development.”