A hindu temple should be designed to maintain its ancient aesthetics, mysticism, philosophy, design principle, components, quality, nature and comfort. Jan 15, 2020 parvati temple is an unforgettable landmark in pune, maharashtra. Dec 19, 2016 nagara the style of northern temple architecture. Pune parvati temple history architecture of parvati. Ancient indian temples are classified in three broad types. The science of hindu architecture principles and standards, where and how temples should be built, design rules in india is described in hindu texts vastu shastra manasara etc, and shilpa shastras deal with forming statues, icons. The vaastu is the traditional building architecture used in hindu temple building. The hindu temple mandir is laid out according to the eight cardinal directions, and a god representing each one dikpala may sometimes be represented in sculpture on the temples exterior.
In the hindu temple, the potentially divine becomes visibly manifest and therefore approachable by man michell, 1977, 1988. Sun temple of modhera temple of kailasnath, ellora 850 descent of the ganges at mahabalipuram 700 shore temple at mahabalipuram 700 khandariya mahadeva 1050 brihadishwara temple, thanjavur, 1010. The temple is oriented to face east, the auspicious direction where the sun rises to dispel darkness. The mandala is a mystical hindu symbol represented by a square enclosing a circle. Unit 3 evolution of hindu architecture hindu forms of worship evolution of temple form meaning, symbolism, ritual and social importance of temple categories of temple elements of temple architecture early shrines of the gupta and chalukyan periods tigawa temple ladh khan and durga temple aihole papanatha, virupaksha temples pattadakal. That is, about a hundred years or so after the small temples we just learnt about in sanchi and udaigiri.
This was a brief for the dravidian style of temple architecture. A study on hindu temple planning, corstruction and the vaastu. There were two different styles of temple building in india, a north indian style and a south indian style. Initially, angkor wat was designed as a hindu temple, as that was the religion of the regions ruler at the time, suryavarman ii. An encyclopaedia of hindu architecture by acharya, prasanna kumar, 1890publication date 1946 topics. Buy the temple architecture of india book online at low. There was a seminal development in temple architecture between the 6th and the 16th century ce. The temple architecture and the city plan are, therefore, related in their conception. The architectural features of traditional hindu temples reflect an ideology. Indian temple architecture evolution, type, design layout. The role of five elements of nature in temple architecture. In terms of built heritage, it has been the most dominating art in indian history and all the other modes of art are sometimes considered as accessories to it. If tamil nadu is the seat of south indian temple architecture, the madurai meenakshi amman temple is its crowning glory. The rulers of vijayanagar encouraged literature, art, architecture, religious, and philosophical discussions.
In the connection of this context, fractal theory is being followed in indian hindu temple architecture much before the discovery of fractal theory. Unit 3 evolution of hindu architecture hindu forms of worship evolution of temple form meaning, symbolism, ritual and social importance of temple categories of temple elements of temple architecture early shrines of the gupta and chalukyan periods tigawa temple ladh khan and durga temple aihole papanatha, virupaksha temples. The chalukyas 543753 ce and the rastrakutas 753982 ce also made major contributions to the development of temple architecture in southern india. This section provides an overview of the origins and development of the longstanding hindu temple building tradition. North indian temple architecture, style of architecture produced throughout northern india and as far south as bijapur district in northern karnataka state, characterized by its distinctive shikhara, a superstructure, tower, or spire above the garbhagriha wombroom, a small sanctuary housing.
Architecture of hindu temples hindu temples in india. Hindu temple architecture as the main form of hindu architecture has many varieties of style. The presentation is not self sufficient, it only supports the lecture delivery by giving pictorial representation of the aspects covered as a part of the lecture. This dissertation brings out the differences in the form and scale of the. Hinduism is the worlds oldest religion, according to many scholars, with roots and customs dating back more than 4,000 years. This forms a prominent feature of hindu temples of the dravidian style. What is now generally accepted is that in ancient india, all compositions, whether religious, literary, or legal. Both of these, but especially the former, have a number of regional styles within them. The basic form of the hindu temple comprises the following. There are four major temples associated with the various stages of the buddhas life.
Here is a look at the history and architecture of the parvati hill temple. Hindu architecture is a traditional hindu system of temple architecture, monasteries, mausoleums and other architectural religious buildings of hinduism. K and puram meaning king and exterior a gopuram or gopura, is a monumental tower, usually ornate, at the entrance of any temple, especially in southern india. Heres taking a look at some temples in india that are more than years old.
Art history history the history of meenakshi temple dates back to the 1st century c. Temple architecture in india ncert notes most of the art and architectural remains that survive from ancient and medieval india are religious in nature. It is said that kulashekarar pandyan, a king who ruled over the pandyan dynasty, built the temple as per the instructions given in his dream by lord shiva. On the architecture of the silpa sastra and the dravida style. The south indian hindu temple building design system on the architecture of the silpa sastra and the dravida style k. However, if hindu architecture is geographically positioned as indian architecture, it would mean that hindu architecture could not exist outside india. Hindu temple architecture reflects a synthesis of arts, the ideals of dharma, beliefs, values and the way of life cherished under hinduism. The brihadeshwara is a hindu temple dedicated to lord shiva which is located in the city of thanjavur, tamil nadu. Many ancient capitals vanished and the surviving temples are now found in a rural. India is a country of temples and rich architecture. The cave temples of badami, the virupaksha temple at pattadakal, the durga temple at aihole, and the kailasanatha temple at ellora are standing examples of the grandeur of this era. Evolution of hindu temple architecture pdf hindu indian religions. Jul 29, 2017 the vitthala temple at hampi is the finest example of the vijayanagar style of temple architecture. The hindu temple typically involves a multiple set of ideas.
The garbhagriha is made to house the main icon which is itself the focus of much ritual attention. Architecture and sculpture are inextricably linked in hindu temples. Temples of the indus studies in the hindu architecture. History of hindu temples through the ages thoughtco. Early indian architecture and art subhash kak abstract. Today, with about 900 million followers, hinduism is. Jun 11, 2016 evolution of hindu temple architecture 1. Nov 26, 2015 november 26, 2015 december 2, 2015 posted in architecture, history, uncategorized tagged basic form of hindu temple architecture, cholas, dravadian style of temple architecture, function of temples, hindu temples, indian temples, nagara style of temple architecture, pallavas, shikhara, shore temple mahabalipuram, vijayanagar, vimana 7 comments. Interestingly, this temple is not dedicated to the goddess durga. Dec 31, 2010 evolution of indian temple architecture indian temples have been a source of attraction, not only as a place of worship for the devout, but also as an architectural marvel for the curious tourist. The hindu religion and its philosophy greatly influenced hindu temple architecture in its evolutionary process which continues till this date.
Temple architecture and sculpture hindu, buddhist and. It is a living tradition that is thousands of years old. Perhaps hindu traditional architecture has more symbolic meanings than other cultures. Temple architecture in india ncert notes pdf download. View pdf flyer contents about preliminary material. The chalukya temples are mainly dedicated to different hindu deities like durga, shiva, vishnu etc.
Development of rockcut architecture 21 chapter2 development of rockcut architecture architecture is the art and science of enclosing and decorating the space created by nature. Index terms temple architecture, five elements of nature, human perception of architectural expression, and temple concept through. When you browse our earlier articles on hindu temple architecture, you would realize one thing. Hindu architecture, and it appears to have been a mere freak of fortune that. Variant forms are found in karnataka formerly mysore and andhra pradesh states. The practices and traditions of temples exist not only in history but also in. In the next coming post, we will complete the temple architecture by covering the last remaining vesara and hoyasala style. Hindu temple architecture as the main form of hindu architecture has many varieties of style, though the basic nature of the hindu temple remains the same, with the essential feature an inner sanctum, the garbha griha or wombchamber, where the primary murti or the image of a deity is housed in a simple bare cell. Temple architecture of high standard developed in almost all regions during ancient india.
An encyclopaedia of hindu architecture survivor library. A number of foreign invasions and indigenous factors have contributed to the modification of the architecture of india. Among a number of architectural styles and traditions, the contrasting hindu temple architecture and indoislamic architecture are the best known historical styles. All those interested in the history of temple architecture, art, indic studies, and religion in south asia, pakistan, afganistan, and central asia. The basic form of a hindu structural temple consists of the following. History of architecture hindu worship architectural styles. Many distinctive features that we find in the architecture today developed throughout the long period of indian history. Hindu religion and other subethnic divisions based on caste, area. Please refer to the sources mentioned in the subject outline plan 04052016. A read is counted each time someone views a publication summary such as the title, abstract, and list of authors, clicks on a figure, or views or downloads the fulltext. This growth phase of hindu temples charts its rise and fall alongside the fate of the various dynasties that reigned in india during the periodmajorly contributing and influencing the building of temples, especially in south india. However, by the end of the 12th century, it was considered a. A number of indian architectural features such as the stupa temple mound, sikhara temple spire, pagoda temple tower, torana and temple gate, have become famous symbols of hindu. Hindu philosophy describes the cosmos as holonomic and selfsimilar in nature.
E with scholars claiming it to be as old as the city itself. Apr 07, 2016 indian architecture indian architecture has influenced the surrounding regions of the world, especially eastern asia, due to the spread of ideas with buddhism. The temple complex of parvati is located atop the parvati hill and the surrounding area and steps which lead up to the temples stands out as a landmark in the skyline of the city. The temple structure with its concentric squares and high walled enclosures is a lesson for students of architecture. It takes the name after the word durg or fortress which probably refers to a fort built close by.
Indian temple architecture evolution, type, design. Hindu architecture the essence of hindu architecture in india. The hindu temple mandir is laid out according to the eight cardinal directions, and a god representing each one dikpala may sometimes be represented in sculpture on the temple s exterior. This dissertation, a study on hindu temple planning, construction and the vaastu is to analyse the relevance of vaastu in building a hindu temple, with three temples in pulau pinang, malaysia as the case study. Hindu art is dedicated to rendering the world of the gods visible. An encyclopaedia of hindu architecture internet archive. Chalukya architecture has both cave temples design and structured temple design. Hindu architecture timeline ancient history encyclopedia. Nov 09, 2007 buy the temple architecture of india book online at best prices in india on. History of indian temple architecture, historiography.
The architecture of india is rooted in its history, culture and religion. Space and cosmology in the hindu temple by subhash kak according to the sthapatya veda the indian tradition of architecture, the temple and the town should mirror the cosmos. The hindu temple complex at prambanan, java, is in use. Temple architecture and sculpture hindu, buddhist and jain. History of architecture 2nd semester, 2016 prepared by. The mahabodhi temple marks one of the most significant. The architecture of hindu temples evolved over a period of more than 2,000 years and there is a great variety in this architecture.
The vijayanagar school of painting was renowned for its frescoes of hindu mythological themes on temple walls and ceilings. Our country not only has the oldest religion in existence, but. Meenakshi amman temple, madurai photos, history, timing. Hindu temple architecture has many varieties of style, though the basic nature of the hindu temple remains the same. Volwahsen 2001 has remarked on the continuity in the indian architectural tradition. Temple architecture and sculpture 6 today when we say temple in english we generally mean a devalaya, devkula mandir, kovil, deol, devasthanam or prasada depending on which part of india we are in. Hindu art has penetrated deep into indian life and permeates every walk of indian life. Symbolism in hindu temple architecture and fractal. It was a gradual evolution starting from the rock cut cave temples to monolithic rathas which finally culminated in structural temples. Built on an elaborately carved platform adhisthana, the temple is often referred to in ancient hindu texts on architecture the vastu shastras as the sacred mountain meru or kailasa, the dwelling of shiva in the himalayas. Medieval indian architecture the history of the medieval indian architecture commences with the invasion of the delhi sultanates.
In addition to architecture and sculpture, the vijayanagar emperors were enthusiastic patrons of painting. It is one of the largest temples in india and the most prized architecture built by emperor raja raja chola i. The qutub minar, siri fort and the alai darwaza are among the exquisite architectural evidence of this period. The basic layout of a temple can be visualized as a mandala, a miniature representation of the cosmos.
Evolution of indian hindu temple architecture hubpages. Hindu architecture pdf architectural styles religious architecture. It is an important example of tamil architecture during the chola dynasty. A visual glossary of hindu architecture ancient history. Built on an elaborately carved platform adhisthana, the temple is often referred to in ancient hindu texts on architecture the vastu shastras as. Pdf building science of indian temple architecture researchgate. Parvati temple is an unforgettable landmark in pune, maharashtra. Temples in southern india have a different style than those in northern india. The existing hindu temples in malaysia are of many scales. This article deals with architecture, temple design, and art in ancient india and also with continuity between harappan and historical art and writing.
An encyclopaedia of hindu architecture by acharya, prasanna kumar, 1890. Temple architecture and sculpture 73 established that this temple was built in the early sixth century ce. The south indian hindu temple building design system. Hindu architecture pdf architectural styles religious. Hindu temples are of different shapes and sizes rectangular, octagonal, semicircular with different types of domes and gates. Apart from supplying cultural and historical information these volumes contain a. Hindu architecture, representing a plurality of beliefs, is commonly divided into the northern nagara and southern dravidian styles. Measurement and proportion in hindu temple architecture. It fills in the gap in the postharappan, prebuddhist art of india by calling attention to the structures of. View history of indian temple architecture, historiography research papers on academia. Search the history of over 424 billion web pages on the internet. Oct 27, 2010 an archaeological study in tamil nadu has thrown light on interesting facets of cave temple architecture during the pandyaspallavas reign, besides uncovering musical inscriptions engraved on some tem.
Hindu art represents a plurality of beliefs and has deeply influenced the painting, sculpture, and architecture of the indian subcontinent. Durga temple aihole, the cradle of temple architecture in karnataka built between the 7th 8th centuries by the chalukyas. Volwahsen 2001 has remarked on the continuity in the. History of indian architecture can be categorised into earliest, medieval and modern. The earliest and most remarkable evidence of indian architecture is found in the cities of the harappan civilization which boast of a unique town planning. Chalukya architects used stellate plan or northern stepped diamond plan for architectural design. Nov 14, 20 hindu philosophical and metaphysical concepts dominate the architecture of the temple whatever its style. Role of fractal geometry in indian hindu temple architecture. North indian temple architecture architectural style.
History of indian temple building inspired by buddhist sanctuaries and monasteries carved into hillsides in the 3rd2nd centuries bce, the hindu temples of south india represent indias grandest architectural legacy see fig. The distinct architectural style of temple construction in different parts was a result of geographical, climatic, ethnic, racial, historical and linguistic diversities. Please refer to the sources mentioned in the subject outline plan. In this context the indian hindu temple architecture are not only the abode of god. This paper is an attempt to find out the role of fractals in different. They are topped by the kalasam, a bulbous stone finial. In order to avoid this inconvenience, i will not adopt a geographical definition but treat it on the basis of religious and historical distinction from buddhist, jain, and islamic architecture.
596 467 931 1 557 21 1524 790 985 292 1184 1047 220 1185 512 757 474 600 434 197 1195 982 54 1198 410 871 1178 344 1254 1553 1199 746 1436 343 923 120 49 500 781 704 342 508