University of Kelaniya Hosts First Vāstuśāstra Exhibition in Collaboration with Indian Cultural Centre

The Department of Sanskrit and Eastern Studies at the University of Kelaniya has, for the first time, inaugurated a special exhibition dedicated to Vāstuśāstra, the ancient Indian science of architecture. Organised in collaboration with the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre of the High Commission of India in Colombo, the event showcases the research and creative work of Honours Degree undergraduates.
On display are innovative designs, research papers, and planning individual and group projects reflecting the department’s academic depth and creative vision. Historically, Vāstuśāstra shaped royal palaces, forts, and city plans; guided temple architecture in alignment with ritual and cosmology; and influenced domestic layouts to promote wellbeing and prosperity.
The exhibition highlights its enduring relevance in contemporary architectural thought, bridging heritage with innovation, and reinforcing the discipline’s role as a holistic framework integrating spatial order with cultural and social function.