By Parijata Dasi
This past week Vilasini, Head Architect for the TOVP, and Parvata Muni visited the fabrication plant of McCoy Industries. A full size mock-up of a section of the Kalash was to be shown.
This mock-up is made from polished stainless steel coated with titanium nitride, and from this we will determine which fabrication methods will be used. This coating is a ceramic gold like substance that is very resistant to weathering.
A skeletal structure behind the sheeting holds everything in the correct position and is connected to the tubular structure at the top of the dome.
There are 24 segments and 24 lotus leaf shaped petals that are formed and riveted to the facets to give a faceted look.
In this drawing we can see the size of the mock-up section in proportion to the rest of the Kalash.
The overall height of the Kalash from this level is about 49 feet (15 meters), and at a height of 263 feet (80 meters) above the ground level, the engineering and structural integrity is of paramount importance.
