3D Virtual Museum of Ancient Monuments
Preserving India's Cultural Heritage Through 3D Digital Innovation
Winners
🥇 1st Place: Sonnalagi
Temple: Shri Revan Siddheshwar Temple, Vijapur Road, Solapur
College: Walchand Institute of Technology
Faculty Mentor: Prof. Narendra S. Katikar (nskatikar@witsolapur.org)
Team Members: Samrudha Bharat Bagale, Aditya Rahul Bangar, Shubham Subodh Verma, Sairam Madhav Katkam, Padmraj Hirachand Kasar
🥈 2nd Place: Garuda's Eternal Legacy
Temple: Hampi Stone Chariot
College: B M S College of Engineering
Faculty Mentor: Prof. Reshmidevi T V (reshmidevi.civ@bmsce.ac.in)
Team Members: Abhishek G H, Abhishek S H, Gururaj, Angadi Siddesha, B K Suhas
🥉 3rd Place: Kalpavriksha
Temple: Kopeshwar Temple
College: Vishwakarma Institute of Technology, Pune
Faculty Mentor: Prof. Avadhoot Rajurkar (avadhoot.rajurkar@vit.edu)
Team Members: Avadhoot Rajurkar, Vivekanand Khade, Kaustubh Junnarkar, Shivansh Kalbhor, Rushikesh Karnik
Consolation Prize: Kalpanalay
Temple: Shri Tukai Mata Temple
College: Vishwakarma Institute of Technology, Pune
Faculty Mentor: Prof. D. B. Hulwan (dattatray.hulwan@vit.edu)
Team Members: Darshan Ghuge, Rohit Dane, Vaibhav Dahatonde, Kshitija Garje, Rushikesh Gawade
Consolation Prize: Drishti
Temple: Shri Khandoba Temple Bale
College: N. K. Orchid College of Engineering & Technology, Solapur
Faculty Mentor: Prof. Aditya Dhobale (adityadhobale@orchidengg.ac.in)
Team Members: Ashutosh Girish Sardeshmukh, Onkar Sanjay Zade, Siddhant Vikas Jakate, Narendra Ravindranath Kadam, Prathmesh Vilas Surwase
Participating Teams
Pixel Pilgrims - Parvati Temple (Vishwakarma Institute of Technology, Pune)
Faculty Mentor: Prof. Atul Kulkarni (atul.kulkarni@vit.edu)
Team Members: Sharvil Sande, Sumedh Kotecha, Yashkumar Khairnar, Siddesh Killekar, Neha Kshirsagar
AugmentX - Khandoba Temple Akurdi (Pimpri Chinchwad College of Engineering)
Faculty Mentor: Prof. Jayashree V. Katti (jayashree.katti@pccoepune.org)
Team Members: Tanushka Patil, Aadi Kanchankar, Amisha Tiwarekar, Om Mundada
Relix - Shree Balaji Temple (Pimpri Chinchwad College of Engineering)
Faculty Mentor: Prof. Alpana Borse (alpana.borse@pccoepune.org)
Team Members: Ishan Petkar, Tanvi Jadhav, Prince Kushwaha, Tejal Jadhav
Shilpakala - Sri Bhoga Nandishwara Temple (B M S College of Engineering)
Faculty Mentor: Prof. Reshmidevi T V (reshmidevi.civ@bmsce.ac.in)
Team Members: R D Sakthi Sree, Charishma R A, S Aravind, Neeraja G K, Desetty Sai Manognya
Vastuu - Siddheshwar Temple Solapur (N. K. Orchid College of Engineering & Technology, Solapur)
Faculty Mentor: Prof. Shriniwas Metan (shrinivasmetan@orchidengg.ac.in)
Team Members: Onkar Kudate, Pruthviraj Ingale, Kedarnath Shivasharan Dhadde, Jyotirmay Bhadreshwarmath, Shravani Santosh Honkalas
About the Competition
3D Virtual Museum of Ancient Monuments 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
- Registration Form
- 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: 22nd September - 6th October 2025
- Limited to 50 teams (First come, first served)
- You will receive confirmation by 10th October 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
- 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
- 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
📅 Important Dates
- Registration Start: 22nd September 2025
- Registration End: 12th October 2025
- Confirmation: 13th October 2025
- Submission Period: 13th October - 30th November 2025
- Final Reconstructions and Judgement Period: 1st December - 11th December 2025
- Winners Announcement: 12th December 2025
Note: Limited to 50 teams (First come, first served)