Acoustic characterization of the Buddhist temple of Deekshabhoomi in Nagpur, India

Abstract

This article presents the study of acoustics of the Deekshabhoomi, a Buddhist monument, with an imagery and external form of the Stupa in Nagpur, Maharashtra, India. It is one of the large hollow Buddhist Stupas in the world, with religious activities such as meditation, chanting, and sermons being delivered associated with it. The aim of the research was to assess the acoustical behavior of the space. The research includes in situ measurements at the monument, in an unoccupied condition. The virtual simulation models were then built which were validated with the in situ measurements in the unoccupied condition. These models were further simulated and analyzed for both occupied and unoccupied conditions. The average reverberation time of 5.6 and 9.7 s has been reported at mid-frequencies for occupied and unoccupied conditions, respectively. The article also compares other worship spaces of different religions, like structures with similar nature of the reverberant field, as less research has been done on hollow Buddhist Stupa. It explicates the acoustical condition present in the monument, and its impact on the Buddhist chanting and other religious activities.

Effects of spatial elements and sound sources on sound field in Main Hall of Chinese Buddhist temple

“…This reverberation time result was consistent with previous studies on conducted Venetian churches, which proposed that sound absorbers, such as wall tapestries, improved reverberation time in the church. 3 Another relevant study provided an analysis of sound absorbers in the Indian Deekshabhoomi Stupa, 19 where the mid-frequency reverberation time increased by 73.2% from occupied (5.6 s) to unoccupied (9.7 s) conditions. The Indian Stupa was different from the Chinese Buddhist Main Hall in terms of building volume, architecture structures, and indoor materials.…”

“…Then, the effects of these characteristics on religious activities were investigated (e.g., Buddhist chanting). 19 Further, Sato and Koyasu conducted model room experiments to investigate the effect of the shape and size of a room on its sound field and presented that fluctuations of the reverberation time became small for irregular rooms when compared with those of rectangular rooms. 20 A number of studies have also looked at the directivity and location of sound sources in religious sites.…”

Courtyard Sound Field Characteristics by Bell Sounds in Han Chinese Buddhist Temples

“…Girón et al summarised principal contributions to the acoustics of ancient occidental Christian churches in recent decades [34]. Manohare et al analysed the sound field characteristics of a large hollow stupa in an Indian Buddhist temple in Nagpur by means of an in situ measurement and simulation, and investigated the effects of these characteristics on religious activities [35]. Orfali and Ahnert discussed the current sound systems in mosques, and introduced the effect of these systems on the mosques' applicable sound parameter [36].…”

Review of Acoustic Sources Alternatives to a Dodecahedron Speaker

“…Numerous examples can be found in the literature where alternative sound sources were used. Some examples and the sources that were used are: The measurement of impulse responses in open-air theatres (firecracker) [44,45], in churches (pistol shots and balloons) [46], in Buddhist temples (balloons) [47], measuring the acoustics of catacombs (balloons and firecrackers) [48,49], measurements in Stonehenge (balloons) [50], measurements in the Notre-Dame cathedral (balloons) [51], measurements in the Hagia Sofia (balloons) [52], measurements in urban environments (pistol shots) [53], green roofs absorption (pistol shots) [54], measurements in subway stations (firecrackers) [55], the acoustic of caves (balloons) [56,57], room acoustics (handclap) [58], barrier attenuation (shotshell primer) [59] and classroom acoustics [60] (wooden clapper). The reason that prompted the use of these alternative sources will be presented in the following related chapters.…”

“…According to the research presented in the introduction, the justifications that prompted its use were mainly the lack of electric supply [47,56,57], affordability and ease of use [52]. Referring to the research that utilized the balloon as a sound source: "The difficulty of operating in a cumbersome environment prevented the use of a sound source like a dodecahedron loudspeaker with a power amplifier" (Acoustic of caves [57]), "However, the site is in condition of repairs; hence, it is not possible to use such measurement techniques (dodecahedron speaker)" (Buddhist temple [47]), "Balloons are inexpensive and easy use" (Hagia Sophia [52]), "Due to the impossibility to connect to the electricity grid, the use of the whole equipment was not possible as recommended by ISO 3382" (Acoustic of caves [56]).…”