Tirtha Vision
Preserving India's Cultural Heritage Through 3D Digital Innovation
Organised by Subhankar Mishra's Lab, NISER and Dassault Systemes Foundation, India
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About the Competition
Tirtha Vision is a unique competition that combines technology with cultural preservation. This initiative aims to create digital 3D reconstructions of India's magnificent temples and monuments, ensuring that our rich cultural heritage is preserved for future generations through cutting-edge photogrammetry and 3D modeling techniques.
By participating in this competition, you contribute to a larger mission of documenting and preserving India's architectural marvels while learning about advanced technologies in the process.
How to Participate
1📝 Registration
- Register your team and select your monument during the registration period
- This allows us to add the monument to our website and avoid duplicates
- Registration period: 1st September - 14th September 2025
- Limited to 50 teams (First come, first served)
- You will receive confirmation by 18th September 2025
2📸 Capture Photographs
- Walk around the monument or temple with 30–60% overlap between images
- Ideal time: morning or late afternoon, avoid harsh shadows or low light
- Capture details (carvings, steps, domes, inscriptions)
- 🛸 Using a Drone? Ensure local drone rules are followed
- Use grid or circular path, capture both top-down and angled views
📅 Best Time for Photography:
- Golden Hours: Early morning (7-9 AM) or late afternoon (4-6 PM)
- Avoid: Harsh midday sunlight (10 AM - 3 PM) which creates strong shadows
- Avoid: Very low light conditions or night photography
- Weather: Slightly overcast conditions can provide even lighting
- Walk around the monument or temple with 30–60% overlap between consecutive images
- Capture multiple angles: ground level, elevated positions, and close-up details
- Focus on architectural details (carvings, steps, domes, inscriptions, pillars)
- Take systematic photos covering all sides of the structure
- Use consistent camera settings throughout the shoot
🛸 Drone Photography Guidelines:
- Legal Compliance: Check Digital Sky Platform for permissions
- Registration: Ensure your drone is registered with DGCA if required
- No-Fly Zones: Verify the monument is not in a restricted area
- Permissions: Obtain necessary permissions from local authorities and monument management
- Flight Pattern: Use systematic grid or circular paths
- Altitude: Capture from multiple heights (20m, 50m, 100m)
- Safety: Maintain visual line of sight and follow all safety protocols
3✍️ Share the Story
- Provide name, location, and description of the monument
- Add legends, symbolism, or unique features
- Include historical significance and cultural importance
4📤 Upload Your Contribution
- Visit the portal: https://smlab.niser.ac.in/project/tirtha/
- Login via your email address
- Upload your images + story
- Submit & receive confirmation
🏆 Prizes & Recognition
- Top 3 contributors get 3D-printed replicas of their monument
- Winning entries will be showcased on the Tirtha portal
- Our team reconstructs 3D mesh using your images
- Models are cleaned, refined, and prepared for AR/VR
- Contributors receive thank-you emails and credits
📊 Evaluation Criteria
Photo quality & coverage
40%
Cultural/historical significance
20%
Architectural detail captured
20%
Visual clarity of final model
20%
📅 Important Dates
- Registration Start: 1st September 2025
- Registration End: 14th September 2025
- Confirmation: 18th September 2025
- Submission Period: 20th September - 20th October 2025
- Final Reconstructions: 1st November - 15th November 2025
- Judgment Period: 16th November - 29th November 2025
- Winners Announcement: 30th November 2025
Note: Limited to 50 teams (First come, first served)