IIT Roorkee, in collaboration with Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham and Uppsala University, has revealed that eight of India’s most iconic Shiva temples are closely aligned with zones of natural resource productivity.
The research, published in Humanities and Social Sciences Communications (Nature Portfolio), shows that these temples, ranging from Kedarnath in Uttarakhand to Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu, lie along a narrow north-south line known as the Shiva Shakti Aksh Rekha (SSAR), centred around the 79E meridian.
By applying satellite data, geospatial modelling, and environmental productivity analysis, the team discovered that the SSAR region, though covering only 18.5 percent of the study area, has the potential to produce 44 million tonnes of rice annually and generate 597 gigawatts of renewable energy, surpassing India’s current installed renewable capacity.
USE OF MODERN SCIENTIFIC TOOLS
Researchers used advanced scientific tools to map the SSAR region and its natural resources. They found that the zones around these temple locations are rich in water, renewable energy potential, and agricultural yield.
Northern temples such as Kedarnath are located in areas ideal for hydropower development, while southern sites like those in Tamil Nadu are suited for solar and wind energy.
According to the team, this indicates that ancient temple builders may have had a profound understanding of environmental abundance, seamlessly integrating faith with practical resource planning.
SYMBOLISM AND PRACTICAL KNOWLEDGE
The study also explores how temple symbolism aligns with ecological awareness. Many Shiva temples represent one of the five elements, or Panchabhuta: Earth, Water, Fire, Air, and Space.
This suggests that the temples’ spiritual significance may have been linked to practical, empirical knowledge passed down over generations.
Speaking with India Today, Professor K S Kasiviswanathan, Principal Investigator and faculty at IIT Roorkee’s Department of Water Resources Development and Management said, “This research shows us that ancient Indian civilisations may have had a deep understanding of nature and sustainability, which guided their choices of where to build major temples.”
CIVILISATIONAL INSIGHTS FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
Professor Kamal Kishore Pant, Director of IIT Roorkee, said, “By revealing the scientific reasoning behind the placement of sacred temples, we are not only enriching academic understanding but also uncovering how India’s civilisational knowledge can guide sustainable development today. This study is a compelling example of how ancient wisdom and modern science can complement each other.”
The findings highlight continuity in landforms and rainfall distribution patterns, even after centuries of environmental change.
Archaeological evidence from river basins like the Vaigai and Porunai reinforces the idea that temple construction was closely tied to water, agriculture, and stable landforms, acting as civilisational markers.
VOICES FROM THE RESEARCH TEAM
Bhabesh Das, lead author and research scholar at IIT Roorkee, said, “Our findings suggest that ancient temple builders were also environmental planners. Their choices were guided not just by faith but by a keen understanding of land, water, and energy resources.”
Professor Thanga Raj Chelliah, Head of WRDM Department at IIT Roorkee, added, “This is a remarkable interdisciplinary collaboration that bridges heritage and water resources. It demonstrates the value of revisiting ancient practices with modern tools to shape a more sustainable future.”
A BLEND OF HERITAGE AND CLIMATE RESILIENCE
The study underscores that India’s cultural heritage holds strategic environmental insights.
By decoding temple placement, modern planners can learn lessons in sustainable development and climate resilience, revealing the enduring wisdom of ancient Indian civilisations.
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