Padma Shri Awardee Shri Chandrakant Balvantray Sompura: A Legacy of Temple Architecture

Shri Chandrakant Balvantray Sompura | Akshar Dham, Gandhinagar

Shri Chandrakant Balvantray Sompura, a distinguished temple architect, has significantly contributed to the preservation and advancement of India’s sacred architectural heritage. Renowned for his work on numerous temples of high religious importance, he is part of a family legacy deeply rooted in traditional temple design.

Early Life and Legacy

Born on November 8, 1943, in Palitana, Gujarat, Shri Sompura began his architectural journey at a young age. After the passing of his father in 1967, he was mentored by his grandfather, Shri Prabhashankar O. Sompura—an esteemed temple architect. Initially engaged in the marble business, he soon became involved in temple architecture, joining the family tradition.

His early work at the Shamlaji Temple renovation site exposed him to both practical and theoretical aspects of temple architecture. This included hands-on sculptural work and in-depth study of ancient literature. For 15 years, he trained under his grandfather, gaining valuable insights into shilpashastra (the science of art and construction). During this time, he designed many significant temples, including Shri Hastagiri 72 Jinalaya in Palitana, Shri Sheshshayi Vishnu Temple in Nagada (Madhya Pradesh), and Shri Renukuteshwar Mahadev Temple in Uttar Pradesh.

Expanding the Tradition

In 1979, following his grandfather’s demise, Shri Sompura took over the family’s architectural practice. Under his leadership, the business flourished as he continued to blend traditional principles with modern techniques. He worked on several notable projects across India and abroad, including:

• Akshar Dham, Gandhinagar

• Shiva Temple, Singapore

• Vishnu Mandir, Bangkok, Indonesia

• Swaminarayan Temple, London

• Ambaji Mata Temple, Ambaji

• Jain Derasars in Chicago and Houston, USA

• Swaminarayan Temples in Surat and Mumbai

• Sanvariaji Mandir, Chittorgarh

• Bhakti Vihar, Shankheshwar

• Nritya Mandap of Somnath Temple

• Temples at Prabhas Patan, Bahucharaji Mandir (Bhavnagar, Gujarat)

Ongoing Work and Contributions

Shri Sompura’s design for the under-construction Shri Rama Temple in Ayodhya is one of his most prominent contemporary projects. His contributions also extend to scholarly work—he has authored texts such as Pratima Kala Nidhi and Vastu Kala Nidhi, and completed his grandfather’s unfinished treatise Vastu Ni Ghantu. He is also committed to republishing other incomplete works of his grandfather to preserve this vast traditional knowledge for future generations.

Honours and Recognition

Shri Sompura has received numerous accolades throughout his career. His design of the Swaminarayan Temple in 1995 earned him the 'Architect and Design' award. Other notable recognitions include:

• Padma Shri

• 'Shri Guruji Puruskar'

• 'Stone Federation Natural Stone Award'

• JCARC Award

• 'Shri Bhagwat Bhavan Award'

• ABP Asmita Sanman Puruskar

• News 18 India Amrit Ratna Award

• Honours from the Indian Institutes of Architecture

Through a lifetime dedicated to temple architecture, Shri Chandrakant Balvantray Sompura continues to uphold and evolve a heritage that blends spiritual purpose with artistic excellence.