Dr. Zama M.S. is the Founder and Managing Director of Starneth India. He leads the company's strategy, partnerships and accountable delivery of landmark observation-wheel projects in India.
Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
Varanasi Eye
River of Light
A sunrise river landmark with low wide supports and a Shiva-inspired bronze civic artwork outside the wheel load path.
Concept. Design direction, not a committed project
Concept visualization. Every design direction on this page remains a concept until site, engineering, wind, geotechnical, aviation, coastal, environmental, heritage and authority studies are completed.
The city
Where it sits, and what it is read against.
Varanasi's riverfront is a living sacred landscape, not an empty backdrop. The concept therefore does not place a wheel on the historic ghats, beside a temple or within the protected skyline. It assumes a future peripheral site on geotechnically suitable land, connected to the city but set back from the active river edge and the heritage core.
Concept motifs
- River horizon
- Sandstone terrace
- Woven line
- Dawn light
- Shaded court
- River dawn
- Sandstone
- Ganga haze
- Muted brass
- Shade green
- Warm white
Cultural research
Every source below changed something in the design.
Cultural material is used here as design logic: geometry, proportion, circulation, material and climate response: never as applied surface decoration. No temple, mosque, monument, government building or sacred object is copied, and no religious imagery appears on capsules, tickets, merchandise or commercial space.
- Shiva as a meditative association with Varanasi
- Informed a reversible, non-load-bearing bronze lattice in the central public-facing void, combining an abstract meditating silhouette and trident. It stays clear of cabins, retail, walking surfaces and the primary wheel structure, and requires cultural, heritage and authority review.
- The Ganga and the long river horizon
- Set the visual restraint. The wheel is read against sky and water from a peripheral river bend, while the historic city remains distant and unobstructed.
- Varanasi sandstone steps and terraces
- Informed flood-resilient public terraces and seating proportions without copying a named ghat or treating sacred architecture as a theme.
- Morning movement on the river
- Set the operating rhythm and light. Sunrise, boats and quiet public use matter more than spectacle or nightlife effects.
- Banarasi weaving structure
- Informed a fine, disciplined spoke pattern and interior material detail, used as construction logic rather than printed ornament.
- Pilgrim and resident mobility
- Drove a simple, shaded and step-free arrival system that separates tourist coaches, local transit, electric shuttles and pedestrians.
- Protected heritage view corridors
- Made distant visibility studies and a peripheral site mandatory, with no wheel placed inside the historic riverfront silhouette.
Design direction
River of Light
The first design decision is where the wheel must not go. It stays outside the historic ghats, protected riverfront and temple skyline.
Two low wide steel supports carry a compact hub and keep the structure visually grounded on a peripheral land-based site.
An independently supported bronze lattice artwork forms a meditating Lord Shiva silhouette with a restrained trident in the lower central void. It remains clear of cabins and primary structure.
Sandstone terraces, river mist and a quiet sunrise operating rhythm define the visitor experience.
How the wheel stands up
- Low wide A supports with exposed cross-bracing provide short, inspectable load paths into inland foundations.
- A slim rim and fine radial cables carry twenty-four enclosed cabins.
- The Shiva-inspired artwork has its own support and foundation. It is removable and does not carry wheel loads.
- Concept only. Flood, alluvial ground, wind, aviation, heritage, cultural and environmental approvals govern the selected site.
Station architecture
- A low sandstone-toned pavilion organised around shaded courts and clear movement.
- Deep roof edges and filtered daylight provide comfort without borrowing temple forms or religious ornament.
- Ticketing, security, queue, boarding and exit are separated to handle families, groups and first-time visitors safely.
- The terminal remains inland of the flood-resilient landscape zone and keeps maintenance traffic away from visitors.
Capsule and visitor experience
- Enclosed, climate-controlled cabins with high-performance glazing for heat, glare and monsoon conditions.
- Muted sandstone, dark bronze and natural textile tones, with no sacred imagery or souvenir graphics built into the cabin.
- Low-reflection interior lighting keeps the river and distant city visible at dawn and dusk.
- Level boarding for wheelchair users, elderly visitors and families at a designated capsule position in every rotation set.
Lighting identity
- A warm white rim held at low intensity, brighter only at the base where safe movement requires it.
- No projected deity imagery, colour-changing spectacle or event lighting faces the historic skyline. The fixed bronze motif receives only restrained warm grazing light.
- Lighting is reduced during sensitive hours and controlled to limit spill toward the river.
Landscape and public realm
- Flood-resilient planted terraces on a peripheral site, with the wheel and critical plant set above the design flood level.
- A public river overlook that remains open independently from the paid attraction.
- Native shade trees, drinking water, rest points and covered routes designed for heat and long visitor dwell times.
Commercial activation
- A restrained visitor centre focused on the river, city history and engineering of the wheel.
- Local food, textiles and crafts curated through transparent partnerships rather than generic souvenir retail.
- Sunrise and evening viewing sessions, with capacity controls aligned to transport and public-realm limits.
- Premium cabins and private events allowed only within a lighting and noise policy that protects the setting.
Visitor journey
Arrival to return, in six moves.
- 01ArrivalReach the peripheral site by bus, electric shuttle, taxi or a protected pedestrian route.
- 02CourtEnter a shaded orientation court with clear information and rest points.
- 03TerraceMove toward the river view without entering the active flood edge.
- 04BoardingBoard at level inside a controlled inland terminal.
- 05RotationSee the river bend first, with the historic city held in the far distance.
- 06ReturnExit to the public overlook, visitor centre and electric shuttle court.
Climate response
- Deep shade, drinking water and short rest intervals address extreme summer heat.
- Raised critical equipment, recoverable landscape materials and defined closure procedures address flood and monsoon risk.
- Filtered ventilation and maintainable facade systems address dust, humidity and seasonal air quality.
Sustainability approach
- Select a previously disturbed peripheral site before considering new river-edge construction.
- Use flood-resilient planting and capture roof water for irrigation and washdown.
- Limit private vehicle access through electric shuttles, buses and timed visitor arrivals.
Accessibility approach
- A continuous step-free route from every arrival mode to boarding and the river overlook.
- Level boarding at a designated capsule position in every rotation set.
- Frequent shaded seating for elderly visitors and people with limited stamina.
- High-contrast, multilingual and pictogram-based wayfinding for a diverse visitor population.
Mobility connections
- Electric shuttle links to major transport nodes and remote parking.
- Bus and taxi movement separated from the pedestrian arrival court.
- No new through-traffic introduced into the historic ghats or old-city lanes.
- River access considered only after navigation, safety and environmental approvals.
Concept gallery
Varanasi Eye: concept visualizations
Concept visualization. Every design direction on this page remains a concept until site, engineering, wind, geotechnical, aviation, coastal, environmental, heritage and authority studies are completed.
Concept visualizationComputed vector geometry
Destination overviewHeritage, flood and mobility limits set the plan. Concept visualizationComputed vector geometry
Blue hourLight controlled to protect the river setting. Concept visualizationComputed vector geometry
Boarding pavilionCivic shelter without borrowed sacred forms. Concept visualizationComputed vector geometry
Capsule and visitor experienceA quiet cabin focused on the view. Concept visualizationComputed vector geometry
Structural detailClear load paths, accessible for inspection. Concept visualizationComputed vector geometry
Public realmPublic space that remains useful without a ticket.
Leadership / Varanasi Eye
Leadership and project partners
Company accountability, with local responsibility.
Starneth India leadership applies across the platform. Local partners are credited only on the project where they hold a confirmed role.
Local partners will be added here only after their project role and publication approval are confirmed.
Project status
Concept. Design direction, not a committed project
Varanasi Eye is a design direction. There is no award, contract, financing, concession, approval or construction start associated with it, and nothing on this page should be read as one. Each city project would be structured, financed and contracted independently.
Concept last reviewed 2026-09-06.
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