Across the Indian subcontinent, numerous Hindu temples have demonstrated sustained structural performance despite prolonged exposure to earthquakes, floods, cyclones, and extreme climatic conditions. In multiple documented disaster events, several of these pre-modern structures exhibited less damage than adjacent contemporary constructions and, in some instances, functioned as temporary refuges for affected populations. This observed performance raises a critical question for disaster-resilient design research: whether traditional architectural systems incorporated systematic strategies for hazard mitigation and long-term structural endurance. This study examines Hindu temple architecture through the framework of Vāstu Vijñānam, an indigenous architectural knowledge system encompassing site selection, geometric configuration, material selection, construction techniques, and environmental responsiveness. Rather than approaching Vāstu as primarily symbolic or ritual, this research evaluates it as a rule-based design system capable of producing identifiable and interpretable structural behaviour. The methodology combines qualitative analysis of classical Sanskrit architectural texts with architectural and structural assessment of four historic temples dating from the 7th to 13th centuries CE, selected across distinct hazard regimes: seismic plains (Brihadeeswarar, Thanjavur), intraplate seismic zones (Ramappa, Telangana), high-altitude debris-flow environments (Kedarnath, Uttarakhand), and tsunami-prone coastal settings (Shore Temple, Mahabalipuram). Case study analysis indicates consistent performance outcomes associated with passive structural and material strategies. These include geometric regularity and hierarchical mass distribution reducing torsional demand, layered or bedrock-anchored foundation systems moderating ground motion and settlement, friction-based masonry joinery enabling controlled energy dissipation, and material selection optimized for long-term durability under specific environmental stressors. Documented performance during extreme events---including the 2013 Kedarnath disaster and the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami---provides empirical support for the effectiveness of these strategies in limiting structural damage and enabling short-term sheltering functions. The study synthesizes these findings into a multi-level integration framework translating principles derived from Vāstu Vijñānam into contemporary disaster-resilient design strategies. By demonstrating convergence between traditional architectural principles and modern performance-based engineering concepts, the research identifies Hindu temple architecture as a validated precedent for low-tech, long-life, multi-hazard infrastructure relevant to present-day resilience planning.
Babu et al. (Mon,) studied this question.