Vaidyanatha[2] Ganapati Sthapati (1927 – 5 September 2011) was a Sthapati (temple architect and builder) and head of the College of Architecture and Sculpture in the Vastu Shastra tradition ascribed to the sage Mamuni Mayan.
Biography
Conception for Iraivan Temple, Kauai, Hawaii, by V. Ganapati Sthapati
Sthapati was born in 1927 to sculptor Vaidyanatha Sthapati and Velammal in Pillayarpatti, a village near Karaikudi, Tamil Nadu, India.[citation needed]
Sthapati attended Dr. Alagappa Chettiar College, Karaikudi, and graduated with a degree in mathematics. After his graduation, he became a Sthapati at Palani Murugan Temple, Palani, Tamil Nadu, India. He resigned this post after the death of his father, who had served as principal of the School of Architecture and Sculpture at Mamallapuram from 1957 to 1960. He succeeded his father as the Principal of the Government College of Architecture and Sculpture, TN, India.
From the 1980s, Sthapati campaigned to restore and elevate the status of traditional Hindu architecture in modern Indian society, by affiliating courses to the University of Madras and offering degree courses, bringing about a revival of Vastu Shastra.
After retirement from government service, he established the Vaastu Vedic Trust and the Vaastu Vedic Research Foundation, aimed at research, development, and globalization of Vaastu Shastra. He was also the head of the professional guild named "V. Ganapati Sthapati & Associates."
[3] He also began a small University – American University of Mayonic Science and Technology to teach the authentic Vaastu Shastras. He appointed Dr. Jessie Mercay as Chancellor and professor.
Major works
Architecture and sculpture
Thiruvalluvar Statue.
Sthapati served as architect for several buildings and sculptures, including the following:
Sthapati has authored a number of books on the science and technology of Vastu Shastra and has conducted over 80 seminars.[9] He formed a publishing house called Dakshinaa Publishing house to publish and market books related to Vastu Shastra and architecture. His critically acclaimed book, Building architecture of Sthapatya veda attracted the attention of Scholars, architects and engineers of India and abroad.[9]
He has authored countless other books including Iconometry, Temples of Space Science: The Building Architecture of Sthapatya Veda[11] and Commentary on Mayan's Aintiram.[12][13]
Awards
Sthapati has earned a number of titles and awards including and not limited to:
^Variations of the name "Vaidyanatha" which have been observed in the literature include: Vaithyanadhan, Vaithyanatha, and Vaithyanathan.
^"Dr. V. Ganapati Sthapati". Vaastu Vijnani Dr. Ganapati Sthapati. Dr. V. Ganapati Sthapati & Associates. Archived from the original on 26 July 2010. Retrieved 27 August 2010.
^ abcdefgMahalingum., Kolapen (c. 2002). Hindu temples in North America : a celebration of life. Kolapen, Sañjay., Hindu University of America., Council of Hindu Temples of North America. (1st ed.). Orlando, Fla.: Hindu University of America. ISBN9780971631007. OCLC79385539.
^Sthapati, V. Ganapati (2004). The Building Architecture of Sthapatya Veda. Dakshinaa. ASINB0006E8WGY.
^Sabharathnam, S.P. (1997). Mayan's Aintiram : With Tamil texts of Mayan and paraphrasing with English translation. Vaastu Vedic Research Foundation. ASINB000P6J8SY.
