HINDU TEMPLE ARCHITECTURE

HINDU TEMPLE ARCHITECTURE

1.  India's temple architecture is developed from the creativity of Sthapathis and shilpis, both of whom belong to the larger community of craftsmen and artisans called Vishwakarma (caste).

2.  It consists of :-

     (a)  Inner Sanctum

     (b)  Garbha graha (in which the idol or diety is housed)

     (c)  Congregation hall

     (d)  Antechamber

     (e)  Porch

3.  Two major types of temples:-

     (a)  Nagara style:-  The tower/ shikhar is beehive/ curvilinear shape.

     (b)  Dravida style:-  The tower/ shikhar consists of progressively smaller 

     storeys of pavilions.

4.  Description of temple architecture:-

    (a)  Jagati-  It is a raised surface, platform or terrace upon which the 

    temple is placed.

    (b)  Antarala-  It is a small antichamber or foyer between the garbhagriha/ 

    garbha graha (shrine) and the mandapa.

    (c)  Mandapa-  It is a pillared outdoor hall or pavillion for public rituals.

    (d)  Garbhagriha-  It is the part in which the idol of the deity in a hindu 

    temple.

    (e)  Shikhara/ Vimanam-  It means mountain peak ie rising tower over

    the sanctum where the presiding deity is enshrined is the most prominent

    and visible part of a hindu temple.

    (f)  Gopuram-  These are the elaborate gateway towers  of south indian 

    temples.

    (g)  Kalyani (temple tanks)-Typically built near temples to accommodate

    bathing and cleaning activities before prayer.

4.  Examples of temples which combined two styles are:-

    (a)  Mahadeva temple at Itagi, koppal district in karnataka [ Dravida articulation with a Nagara superstructure]

    (b)  Agkor Wat- World heritage site

                        - World's largest religious building

                        - Present on Cambodia's national flag

    (c)  Shiva temple- Main shrine of Prambanan.

                           - UNESCO world heritage site.

                           - Largest hindu temple in Indonesia.