Humayun’s Tomb, Delhi: Six years of conservation later, the 16th-century garden tomb was brought to life in 2011. Previously vandalised, it got a face-lift with the efforts of the Aga Khan Trust for Culture in collaboration with the Archaeological Survey of India, funding partners and other government agencies.
Shore Temple, Mahabalipuram: About 60 km from Chennai, this abode of Lord Shiva was developing some serious cracks by being constantly hit by 12-foot high, salt water waves. Considering the extent of damage that had already taken place here, ASI, which carries out restorative procedures once every five years, fast-tracked the process and restored it much ahead of time.
Angkor Wat, Cambodia: After years of neglect, ASI completed what they thought to be one of their most challenging projects—the restoration of the 12th century Angkor Wat. Undertaking the conservation process was not easy because of the presence of Khmer Rouge guerrillas, due to which material couldn’t be transported freely. In seven years, the famed temple complex got back its lost identity.
Hotel De-L’Orient Hotel, Puducherry: Francis Wacziarg and Aman Nath, founders of the Neemrana Hotels, were great friends and even better explorers. During one of their reconnaissances, they came across a dilapidated house, dating back to the late 1760s. The building was called the Instruction Publique, and functioned as the department of education. Upon being declared unsafe, they started the restoration process by fixing the ceilings and dropping arches.