Tag: #architecture

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Building Roots: Tambdi Maati’s First Workshop Unites Youth Through Bamboo and Tradition

Tanisha Cardozo

Tambdi Maati Foundation (TMF), a grassroots initiative rooted in the Konkan region, held its first community-centric natural building workshop — titled ‘Map and Build Together’ — on August 30th and 31st, 2025, at the scenic Chafekhol plateau in Malvan.

The workshop brought together young architects, architecture students, and local participants to co-create a temporary bamboo structure while immersing themselves in the natural landscape, local knowledge, and shared purpose.

TMF, which stands for ‘Red Earth’ in Konkani, is the brainchild of three individuals representing different parts of the Konkan region: Tallulah Dsilva (Goa), a long-time advocate of sustainable architecture; Ahana Rao (Gokarna), a passionate architect working with natural materials; and Omkar Keni (Malvan), an advocate focused on land rights and ecological justice.

Together, they envision TMF as a platform that preserves and promotes traditional building wisdom, fosters skill-building among youth, and creates livelihood opportunities rooted in ecological and cultural sensitivity.

At the heart of the workshop was the experience of building with bamboo—a material known for its resilience, renewability, and cultural significance in the region. More than just learning structural techniques, participants were exposed to mapping landscapes, reading ecological cues, and understanding how built spaces can respond sensitively to place and people.

The impact was deeply personal. Rahuman Khalil, an architecture intern from Coimbatore, reflected:

“During our extensive walk on the plateau, I observed that the boundaries of three villages were marked simply by stones, showing that people living on the land built a living community, not dead boundaries.”

Kaniksha Bandodkar, an architect from Goa, shared:

“Building a bamboo structure for the community was a rewarding experience that not only showcased the versatility of sustainable materials but also brought people together, fostering a sense of unity and pride in our shared space.”

This was more than a workshop. It was a living classroom, a reimagining of architectural education outside conventional spaces, and a glimpse into what the future of community-led, sustainable design can look like.

With this successful beginning, TMF is laying the foundation for a larger movement — one that connects artisans, professionals, and youth across the Konkan belt to reclaim and reimagine the region’s architectural legacy.

International

Notre-Dame Cathedral, Paris Reopens for the Feast of the Assumption 2025

Tanisha Cardozo

The heart of Paris will beat anew this August as Notre-Dame Cathedral hosts its first major religious celebration since the devastating fire of 2019. Marking a deeply symbolic return, the Cathedral will celebrate the Feast of the Assumption on August 14 and 15, 2025, restoring a centuries-old tradition to one of the world’s most beloved sacred spaces.

This two-day event carries both spiritual and historical significance. Since the 17th century, France has commemorated the vow of Louis XIII, who consecrated the nation to the Virgin Mary in 1638. In keeping with that legacy, the Feast of the Assumption is not just a liturgical celebration, but a national one — a reminder of France’s deep-rooted Marian devotion.

The program begins on Thursday, August 14, with reduced tours and access to the Cathedral as it opens its doors to the faithful. The evening is filled with solemn vespers, mass, and the Jubilee procession — a sacred moment inside the Cathedral that includes the ostension of the Crown of Thorns, one of Notre-Dame’s most revered relics. The evening concludes with the proclamation of the Gospel, a reminder of the enduring vow made by the French monarchy nearly four centuries ago.

Friday, August 15, the official day of the Assumption, begins early with morning masses and Lauds. The highlight of the day is the grand city procession, which begins at 3:45 pm from the Cathedral’s forecourt, led by Mgr Emmanuel Tois, Auxiliary Bishop of Paris. Carrying the Virgin and Child of Charles X, the procession moves through the streets of Paris, inviting the faithful and the curious alike to witness a public expression of devotion rarely seen since the Cathedral’s closure.

The day concludes with solemn vespers and a final mass, again presided over by Mgr Tois, capping a moment of immense spiritual and cultural renewal for France.

As Notre-Dame once again becomes a living space of prayer, music, and community, the 2025 Feast of the Assumption stands not only as a celebration of faith but as a testimony to resilience, heritage, and hope reborn.

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Experience the Magic of Kanyakumari: India’s First Glass Sea Bridge and Beyond

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Kanyakumari, a coastal city in the southernmost tip of India, has just unveiled its latest marvel – India’s first glass sea bridge! This engineering wonder connects the Vivekananda Memorial with the Thiruvalluvar statue, offering breathtaking views of the ocean. But that’s not all – Kanyakumari has a plethora of exciting experiences waiting to be explored.

5 Must-Do Experiences in Kanyakumari

  1. Walk on the Glass Sea Bridge: Imagine walking over crystal-clear glass panels with the ocean waves crashing below. This 77-meter-long and 10-meter-wide bridge is an adrenaline junkie’s dream come true!
  2. Witness the Sunrise and Sunset: Kanyakumari is renowned for its mesmerizing sunrise and sunset views. Head to the beach or the viewpoint near the lighthouse to soak in the vibrant hues of the sky.
  3. Visit the Vivekananda Rock Memorial: Take a short ferry ride to this iconic memorial, built in honor of Swami Vivekananda. Enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding waters and explore the statue, auditorium, and meditation hall.
  4. Explore the Thanumalayan Temple: Discover this ancient Hindu temple, featuring a unique blend of three deities—Shiva, Vishnu, and Brahma. Marvel at the grand architecture, intricate carvings, and massive pillars.
  5. Trek to the Cape Comorin Lighthouse: Embark on an adventurous trek to this historic lighthouse, offering stunning views of the surrounding coastline.
    Plan Your Trip to Kanyakumari

Getting There: Kanyakumari is well-connected by air, rail, and road. The nearest airport is the Trivandrum International Airport, approximately 67 km away.

Best Time to Visit: October to March is the ideal time to visit Kanyakumari, with pleasant weather and minimal rainfall.

Accommodation: From budget-friendly guesthouses to luxury resorts, Kanyakumari has a wide range of accommodations to suit every traveler’s needs.

Kanyakumari’s glass sea bridge is just the beginning of an unforgettable journey. With its rich history, stunning landscapes, and warm hospitality, this coastal city is a must-visit destination for every traveler. So come and experience the magic of Kanyakumari!

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The Biggest Roman Catholic Church – Sagrada Familia, Barcelona

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Hello My Beautiful Allys,

Today is a very pious day, the ‘Good Friday’ A day when Jesus died on the cross, this indeed holds a great meaning for the Catholic community.  I often get this question from several people, “If Jesus died on this particular day then why is it that, this day is called the Good Friday?” I’m sure several of you too have this question. The answer is simple, It is called Good Friday because Jesus gave up his life for our greater good and to save us from our sins.

Maintaining the posterity of this occasion, I thought of bringing to you the most beautiful church in the making, it is already the largest Roman Catholic Church in the world. The construction of this beautiful architecture started in the year of 1882 and is so far predicted to be ready by 2026 which means that the church will take almost 144 years to be ready.

Situated in the majestic Barcelona City of Europe, this structure is the most visited site of Barcelona city.  And why not, this church is a masterpiece which is still in the making, yet open to visitors and tourist with guided tours into the church. Antoni Gaudi was the man behind creation of this massive masterpiece in the making. It was his idea about building the church by the money received in the form of donations. Yes! You got it right, this massive structure is constructed only with the funds received in the form of donations. That’s the reason the completion of this structure is delayed.

Gaudi’s idea was that as the initial construction started of this architecture the same would inspire the people to donate more in order to built the church and thus, the construction of the same started in phrase manner. And still continues to be built by the amount it received only through donations.

As mentioned earlier this is the most visited place in Barcelona, one can see thousands of people standing in long queues in order to visit the church from the inside, the best way to visit this church is book entry tickets for the same in advance. Like usually, it is always advisable to book the tickets atleast 5-6 days in advance to avoid waiting in long queues for the ticket on the day of your visit.

If one takes a closer look at the work of Gaudi, one can easily say that this man was inspired by the nature. The interior of the towers are built in the shape of trees. While the doors have leaves engraved with the chameleon resting on the handle of the door.

The massive structure has several beautiful statues, designs carved on the wall, in order to watch and observe the same with no rush spare atleast an hour an half and in case you plan to visit the towers upstairs ( that would cause you additional amount) spare another 30 minutes for the same.

Currently the Sagrada Familia has 8 towers built, but by the completion it is believed that the Sagrada Familia will have 18 Towers. The tallest of them all representing Jesus, then the next Virgin Mary, following the four evangelist and lastly the remaining 12 towers will represent the 12 apostles.

Did You Know?

  • The construction of the Sagrada Familia will take five times as long as it took to build the Egyptian Pyramids or Taj Mahal.
  • Sagrada Familia is a foot shorter than the highest natural point in Barcelona, because of Gaudi as he believed that a human’s work should never exceed work of God.

TIPS OF THE DAY

  • Make sure you plan your trip during the sunset time, as the golden sun rays passes through the tinted glass of the church making it a splendid view to watch. Something total magical.

Indeed, if you have travelled to Sagrada Familia then hey! Share me your photos using #TravelwithAllycaral on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. I would love to see them all. Also, have I forgot to mention anything about this beautiful structure, if yes! Go ahead and comment below and share your thoughts. Looking forward to hear from you all. Have a blessed Good Friday!

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Visit to the Colosseum

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Hello My Ally,

Today let’s travel to Rome in the Being Allycaral Friday Feature.

I selected this place as this is the second most visited spot in Italy, centrally situated in Rome – The inception of this structure can take you back to ancient Roman Empire and it’s most preserved heritage.

Initially, The Colosseum had a Latin name which was – Amphitheatrum Flavium in english it would mean Flavian Amphitheatre. As the same was constructed during Flavian Dystasy way back in 82 A.D. This Latin term is largely used to describe this structure. However, the same is world famous as the Colosseum.

There are several instances and it’s successors’ stories, which would definitely leave you wondering how old and ancient – is this beautiful structure: that stands alone withstanding all the nature’s fury from the past several years.

The structure by itself had the capacity to hold over 80,000 people with on an average more than 60,000 people for each show. The structure was used as an amphitheatre to display the dramas based on classical mythology, re-enactments of famous battles, gladiatorial contests, executions, animal hunts and so on.

The iconic symbol of Imperial Rome has definitely been damaged due to stone robbers and earthquakes in the past. But it’s ancient roman connection makes it a favourite spot. Also, it is believed the significance with Roman Catholic Church too makes it a major tourist attraction. Every year, during Good Friday there is a torch lit ‘Way of the Cross’ procession led by the Pope near The Colosseum, Thus strengthening it’s links more with Roman Catholic Crowd.

Some of the structure, is still under restoration as it’s a very big project to be completed. However, the Colosseum stays open everyday to host a wide range of tourist coming from everyday from different parts of the world.

FACTS TO KNOW:
  • According to the Guinness World Record, it still holds the record to be the world’s largest amphitheater.
  • If one has a closer look would clearly give you the Italian version of the five cent euro coin.
#BEINGALLYCARAL AT ROME: