Initiation of Research on “Acoustic Resonance Measurements of Hindu Temples”

Principal Investigator:
Dr. Ravi Wijesiriwardana – Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, University of Jaffna.

Multidisciplinary Team Members:

  • Mr. M. Vignarajah – Department of Civil Engineering, University of Jaffna.

  • Dr. P. Kathirgamanathan – Department of Interdisciplinary Studies, University of Jaffna.

  • Prof. K.S. Walgama – Department of Engineering Mathematics, University of Peradenya.


Dates:

Project started in Jan/2017 and currently in August 2017 it is on going.

We have launched a preliminary field research to understand the acoustic resonance of Hindu temples. We have measured the resonance in some selected Hindu temples in Sri Lanka. Two types of acoustic resonance chambers can be found in Hind Temples in Sri Lanka. The first one is the “Moolastana” chamber and the other is the inner core (path). First part of the work is focused on measuring the acoustic resonance of Hindu Temple`s geometrical cavities. Sound impulse methods and the reverberation methods are used to measure the acoustic resonance modes. Sound frequencies from 20Hz to 20kHz is scanned to identify the resonance modes. The second part of the project is focused on measuring the 4 dimensional sound fields of acoustic instruments used in Hindu temples. Drums, gongs, bells, flutes and other instruments sound fields are recorded and 3D maps of the pressure and displacements fields are been developed. The open air measurements are done with microphones placed in 3 dimensional space. The measurements were taken at selected ancient Hindu Temples in Northern and Eastern Provinces of Sri Lanka and numerical simulations (FEM) are been carried out to understand the resonance of Hindu Temples and ritual acoustic instruments.

The project is endorsed by Dean of Faculty of Engineering Prof. A. Athputharah and the Director General of Archeology, Sri Lanka Prof. P.B. Mandawala.

Publications:
[1] R. Wijesirwardana, M.Vignarajah, K.S. Walgama and P. Kathiragamanathan “Structural Acoustic Coupling Resonance of Hindu Temples” ICCAE IASTM May 2017 Kuala Lumpur Malaysia.