Temple Architecture in India

Temple architecture in India

The art and architecture during the ancient and medieval period are mostly religious in nature. Temples built during this period were huge and architectural with beautiful carvings on the pillars and on the walls of the temple. Due to the geographical, ethical, linguistic and culture different styles and architecture of temples came up in different parts of India.

The temples were usually decorated with images of God and Goddess. The Shrines of the temple were of three different kinds like 1) temple without pradakshinapatha also known as sandhara 2) with pradakshinapatha also known as Nirandhara and the last is which can be accessed from all the sides also known as sarvatobhadra.

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Indian temples have another important component known as garbha griha or womb chamber where the idol of God is kept. The Garbha griha has the pradhakshinapatha or the circumbulation and shikara. The Indian temple architecture shows or reflects the beliefs, values, culture and Dharma of that particular religion.

The ancient temples were basically classified into three types namely Nagara or the North Indian style, Dravida or the South Indian style, Vesara style and other regional style of architecture. Some scholars do mention about the Vesara style of architecture which was the mixture of both Nagara and Dravida style of architecture.

As the temples were built in large spaces and were huge more carvings on the pillars were made along with new styles of geometrical shapes, symmetrical walls without moving away from the basic plan of the temple. The temples from the North and South were differentiated by the some of specific features like Shikara and the gopurams.

History of temple architecture in India

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One of the most important aspects of Indian temple architecture was the development of Hindu temple architecture. It was quite different from Buddhists and Jain architecture. One can hardly see any Hindu temples prior to Gupta period. By 6^th century two new religion system came up. The earliest preserved Hindu temples were the rock cut temples, simple stone temples.

The growth and the development of Buddhism and Jainism and the rise in Hinduism altogether took Indian temple architecture to a different level. The Buddhists built stupas, Viharas and Chaityas while the Hindu temple architecture had garbha griha, gopurams and important aspects.

One can see a large number of temples and its ruins still exist that were built between 7^th to 13^th centuries. With the invasion of Muslims many temples were destroyed and even the construction of temples was reduced. Some of the great historians have defined different types of temples that were present during ancient period.

1) Flat roofed temple which had circumbulation path around the sanctum.

2) Square temple with shikara

3) Rectangular temple with and apsidal back

4) Circular temple with shallow rectangular projections

5) And many of the Buddhist and Jain shrines.

Different aspect of temple architecture

Here are some of the important aspects that are important for the temple architecture.

Design:

The basic structure of the Hindu temple architecture consists of Garbha Grihaor womb chamber. This is the most sacred place in the temple where the idol of the God is kept. The Entrance of the temple which is also known as mandapa has large space to accommodate large number of worshippers. The shikara in the north Indian temples and Vimana in the South Indian temples are very important design in the construction of the temple according to the region.

A temple is a place which explains the Indian philosophy. It is place for purification of mind and human body. The four important principles of human life are Dharma, Kama, Artha and Moksha. The temple architecture which has structured spaces, decorations, carved pillars, intricate designs explains and welcomes the pilgrims to show these important Philosophies.

A hollow space without any decoration is placed at the centre of the temple usually next to the deity. The space symbolises the meaning and concept of Purusa meaning Universal Principle, one without any form.

Site, Layout, Plan for temple architecture

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The temples were built near the water bodies on a very large site. Temple is called as Mandir in Sanskrit and it was probably built near water bodies so that lotus and flowers blossom and chirping of birds bring peace and harmony to the people who visit the temple. These places were mentioned in the Hindu texts as best suitable for the construction of temple.

The Puranas and Brihat Samhita also mention that temples can be built where natural source of water is not present. The major Hindu temples are to be built near the sangam( confluence of two or more rivers), river banks, lakes and seashore.

According to another Hindu text Visnudharmottara in Part III of Chapter 93, suggests that temples can be built inside caves, chiselled out stones, on the top of the hills, mountain slopes, near the garden or even inside the forest.

Vastupurusha-mandala the name which is derived from three important components like mandala meaning circle, Vastu means Vaas or a place for dwelling and Purusha means Universal principle. Vastu-purusha-mandala is referred in Sanskrit as Yantra. It says that the design for Hindu temple to be symmetrical, mathematical principles, myths and cardinality.

According to Vastu-purusha-mandala the temple layout has certain norms to be followed. The design for Hindu temple should be 8x8 square grids. These squares are called as padas which symbolises a specific element and form deity. The square grids are very scared and are circumscribed by mandalas.

The square has also Vedic origins from Agni. Just below the mandala’s central square is the garbha griha or the Purusha the Universal Principle. The garbha griha is usually small, without window, closed space without any decoration and hardly any light. The image of the main deity is kept in this garbha griha.

Above the vastu-purusha-mandala lies the Shikara of North India and Vimana of South India that raises towards the sky. This vertical design is shaped in pyramidical, conical or any other mountain shape.

In big temples the three padas are beautifully decorated with carvings, paintings, images. Big temples also have mandapas with pillars and also have a waiting room for pilgrims. The main temple is later surrounded with small temples of different Gods.

Various styles of the temple architecture

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Nagara style of Architecture:

Some important points on Nagara style of Architecture.

Nagara style of temple architecture became famous in the Northern part of India.

The temple in this architecture is built on stone platforms with steps leading to the temple.

The Garbha Griha is located under the tallest tower.

Shikara is above the sanctum.

Some of the major sub styles in Nagara include Phamsana, Latina, Shikara and Valabhi.

In Shikara style the base is square and the walls are curve or slope inward.

In Phamasana style temple is usually broader and shorter. The roof has several slabs that rise to a single point over the centre of the temple.

In Valabhi style the temple is usually rectangular with high rise roofs.

Gopuram was not important feature in Nagara style of architecture.

Best example for Nagara style of architecture is the Khajuraho temples in Madhya Pradesh India.

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Dravidian style of Architecture:

Gopuram is an essential part in Dravidian style of architecture. It is usually built as the front wall at the entrance for the temple.

The temples in the Dravidian architecture are enclosed with compound wall.

The tower of the main temple is known as vimana in Tamil Nadu is like stepped pyramid.

The temple usually consists of a large water tank within the complex of the temple.

There are five different shapes in Dravidian style of architecture. That are Kuta which is square, rectangular or shala, circular or vritta, octagonal or ashtasra and elliptical or gaja prishta.

The plan of the temple and the shape of the Vimana were conditioned by iconographic nature of the deity. This made it easy to build specific type of temples for specific deity.

Some of the major contributors for Dravidian style of architecture include Cholas, Pallavas, Chalukya's, Hoysala, Rashrakutas and Vijayanagara Empire.

Some important features of Dravidian style include many mandapas, sacred pool, many entrances, prakara and many other idols of different Gods.

Of the best example for this style is Tanjavur temple, Madurai temple and many more temples in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.

Architecture from regional styles

Mandagapattu temple architecture of Pallava dyanasty

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Pallava architecture:

The earliest form of Dravidian architecture was the Pallava architecture. Pallava architecture was further divided into two phases rock cut phase and structural phase. The rock cut phase was between 610 AD to 668 AD. The rock cut architecture was further divided into two groups namely Mamalla group and Mahendra group. Some of the best examples to Pallava architecture include cave temples at Mandagapattu, Pallavaram, Mamandur, Vaikunta Perumal temple at Kanchipuram.

Badami Chalukya Architecture:

Badami Chalukya Architecture began on Malaprabha river basin around 5^th century. This style of architecture is also known as Vesara style of architecture. Some of the basic structure of the Badami cave temples includes pillared veranda, columned hall and a sanctum. There are more than 150 temples in the Aihole village which is also known as ‘Cradle of Indian Architecture’. Beautiful structural temples are located in Pattadakal.

Out of the 10 temples in Pattadakal six temples are built in Dravidian style of architecture while remaining four is built in Rekhanagara style. After many centuries the architecture of Badami Chalukya's reappeared again during Vijayanagara Period.

Gadag Architecture:

Gadag architecture is also known as Kalyani Chalukya architecture or Western style of architecture. It evolved during 11^th and 12^th century on Tungabhadra region of Karnataka during the rule of Western Chalukya period. It evolved from older Dravida style and it had unique and peculiar features.

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The most distinguishing feature of Western Chalukya architectural was the articulation (method of styling the joints in the formal elements of architectural designs.) The temples were smaller as compared to early Chalukya's.

The important three aspects of Western Chalukya temple were the basic floor plan, figure sculptures and architectural articulation. The architecture during this period focused mostly on pillars, door panels, toranas, outer wall decorations and miniature towers on pilasters. Some of the notable buildings that dates back to this period are Mahadeva temple at Itagi, Kasivisvesvara temple at Lakkundi, Kedareshwara temple in Balligavi district and many more.

Kalinga Architecture:

Kalinga architecture flourished in ancient Kalinga which was earlier known as Utkal which was a part of the kingdom of Magadha. This style had three distinct types of temples namely Rekha Deula, Pidha Deula and Khakhara Deula.

The first two styles are linked to Vishnu Surya and Shiva temples while the third one is mainly of Chamunda and Durga temples. The important examples for Rekha Deula include Lingaraj temple at Bhubaneshwar and Jaganath temple at Puri. Vaital Deula temple is the best example for Khakhara Deula and Konark Sun temple is for Pidha Deula.

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