5 Hindu Architecture in India

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MGTORRES 2021
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Hindu Architecture of India

LESSON 5
MET 3
MGTORRES 2021
5 Hindu Architecture in India.key - September 22, 2021

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Hinduism
mgtorres 4 Hinduism is the world's oldest religion, according

to many scholars, with roots and customs dating
back more than 4,000 years. Today, with about
900 million followers, Hinduism is the third-largest
15%
The majority of Hindus reside in India, Nepal, Mauritius, and Bali in Indonesia.
religion behind Christianity and Islam. Roughly 95
percent of the world's Hindus live in India, while
many others live in Nepal, Mauritius, and Bali in
Indonesia. 15% of the global population are
Hindus.

mgtorres 5 The word Hindu is an exonym, and while
Hinduism has been called the oldest religion in
the world, many practitioners refer to their religion
as Sanātana Dharma (Sanskrit: सनातन ध , lit. ''the
Sanatana Dharma Eternal Dharma''), which refers to the idea that its
origins lie beyond human history, as revealed in
the Hindu texts. Another, though less tting, self-
designation is Vaidika dharma, the 'dharma
"the eternal law," or the "eternal way,”
related to the Vedas.
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mgtorres 6 The word Hindū is derived from Indo-Aryan root

Sindhu. The use of the English term "Hinduism"
to describe a collection of practices and beliefs is
a fairly recent construction: it was rst used by
“Hindu” Raja Ram Mohun Roy in 1816–17. The term
"Hinduism" was coined in around 1830 by those
Indians who opposed British colonialism, and
who wanted to distinguish themselves from other
Hindu is derived from the river Sindhu or Indus, Santana Dharma (immemorial tradition) –
religious groups. Before the British began to
categorize communities strictly by religion,
Indians generally did not de ne themselves
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exclusively through their religious beliefs; instead

identities were largely segmented on the basis of
locality, language, varṇa, jāti (jaadhi), occupation
and sect.

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र्म
mgtorres 7 Hinduism is a diverse system of thought marked
by a range of philosophies and shared concepts,
rituals, cosmological systems, pilgrimage sites
and shared textual sources that discuss theology,
metaphysics, mythology, Vedic yajna, yoga,
H induism is a fusion or synthesis of various Indian cultures and
traditions, with diverse roots and no founder. agamic rituals, and temple building, among other
topics.
NowThisWorld, Retrieved 17 July 2021, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmV2Wd8bOcc mgtorres 8 https://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=lmV2Wd8bOcc

mgtorres 9 Hindu architecture is the traditional system of
Indian architecture for structures such as
temples, monasteries, statues, homes, market
places, gardens and town planning as described
in Hindu texts. The architectural guidelines
Hindu Architecture
VASTU SHASTRA survive in Sanskrit manuscripts and in some
SHILPA SHASTRA cases also in other regional languages. These
BRIHAT SAMHITA
PURUNAS AND AGAMAS texts include the Vastu shastras, Shilpa Shastras,
MANASARA
the Brihat Samhita, architectural portions of the
Puranas and the Agamas, and regional texts such
as the Manasara among others.
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mgtorres 10 Hindu architecture evolved over the centuries

Hindu architecture from simple rock-cut cave shrines to massive and
PRINCIPLES AND ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS
ornate temples which spread across the Indian
• Hindu architecture evolved over the centuries from rock-cut cave temples sub-continent and beyond, forming a canonical
to massive and ornate ones.
style which is still adhered to today in modern
• Essential elements:
Hindu temples across the globe.
• Precise and harmonious geometry

Essential elements of Hindu architecture are
• Grid ground plans
• Soaring towers
precise and harmonious geometry when viewed
• Elaborate sculptures (gods, worshippers, erotic scenes, animals, floral, from all four sides and above, the square form
geometric patterns)
and grid ground plans, soaring towers, and
elaborate decorative sculpture which includes
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gods, worshippers, erotic scenes, animals, and

oral and geometric patterns.

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mgtorres 11 From the 1st century CE a new type of worship

known as Bhakti or devotional Hinduism spread
across the Indian sub-continent, and the old
Vedic gods were replaced in importance by
deities like Shiva, Vishnu, Krishna, Brahma, and
Hindu architecture
Devi. These gods would become the central
gures of Hinduism and their worship required
temples where the devoted could o er their
thanks and reveal their hopes for a better life.
Buildings were constructed which could house a

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sacred symbol of a particular god, which could

be decorated with sculptural gures of them so
recalling episodes from their mythological
adventures, and which provided a space for
worshippers to leave o erings and perform rituals
such as bathing and dancing by professional
female dancers (devadasi). The temple was
considered the dwelling place of a particular god
(devalaya). It was, therefore, a sacred place
(tirtha) where heaven and earth meet and, as a
god's home, it must be a suitably splendid palace
(prasada). The needs of the god would,
additionally, be supervised by a dedicated body
of priests (pujaris) who attended the temple.
mgtorres 12 Vastu shastra (literally "science of architecture”) is

Hindu architecture a traditional Indian system of architecture
originating in India.[3] Texts from the Indian
subcontinent describe principles of design,
H indu architecture is a traditional Hindu system of temple architecture, monasteries,
mausoleums and other architectural religious buildings of Hinduism. layout, measurements, ground preparation, space
• Vastu shastra literally "science of architecture”
arrangement, and spatial geometry. Vastu
• Vastu Shastras incorporate traditional Hindu and (in some cases) Buddhist beliefs.
• Manasara is a treatise that provides detailed guidelines on the building of Hindu temples,
Shastras incorporate traditional Hindu and (in
sculptures, houses, gardens, water tanks, laying out of towns and other structures.
some cases) Buddhist beliefs. The designs aim to
• Shilpa Shastras literally means the Science of Shilpa (arts and crafts), manuals for
sculpture and Hindu iconography, prescribing among other things, the proportions of a
sculptured figure, composition, principles, meaning, as well as rules of architecture.
integrate architecture with nature, the relative
functions of various parts of the structure, and
ancient beliefs utilising geometric patterns
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(yantra), symmetry, and directional alignments.
The Manasara is among the few on Hindu

architecture whose complete manuscripts have
survived into the modern age. It is a treatise that
provides detailed guidelines on the building of
Hindu temples, sculptures, houses, gardens,
water tanks, laying out of towns and other
structures.
Shilpa Shastras literally means the Science of

Shilpa (arts and crafts). It is an ancient umbrella
term for numerous Hindu texts that describe arts,
crafts, and their design rules, principles and
standards. In the context of Hindu temple
architecture and sculpture, Shilpa Shastras were
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manuals for sculpture and Hindu iconography,
prescribing among other things, the proportions
of a sculptured gure, composition, principles,
meaning, as well as rules of architecture.
mgtorres 13 By far the most important, characteristic and

Hindu architecture numerous surviving examples of Hindu
architecture are Hindu temples, with an
architectural tradition that has left surviving
B y far the most important, characteristic and numerous examples of
Hindu architecture are Hindu temples, with an architectural tradition that examples in stone, brick, and rock-cut
has left surviving examples in stone, brick, and rock-cut architecture dating
back to the Gupta Empire. architecture dating back to the Gupta Empire.
• These drew on earlier Buddhist (and to some extent Jain) religious These architectures had in uence of Ancient
architecture, but Hindu temples were shaped by their rather different
religious requirements, which in essence have remained unchanged since Persian and Hellenistic architecture.
the earliest period.
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mgtorres 14 There is far fewer secular Hindu architecture such

Hindu architecture as palaces, homes and cities that have survived
into the modern era. Ruins and archaeological
• Hindu architecture concentrates immensely on the religious and spiritual. studies provide a view of early secular
architecture in India.[6] Studies on Indian palaces
H indus incorporated idols into their art, a feature unseen during Islamic
and civic architectural history have largely
rule since their religion forbids idol worship. focussed on the Mughal and Indo-Islamic
• Hinduism is a religion based on religious worshipping of thousands of
deities, and for each one of them there exist thousands of temples.
architecture particularly of the northern and
western India given their relative abundance. In
other regions of India, particularly the South,
Hindu architecture continued to thrive through the
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16th-century, such as those exempli ed by the

ruined cities and secular spaces of the
Vijayanagara Empire and the Nayakas. According
to James Harle – a historian specializing in Indian
architecture, this generic absence of historic
secular Hindu architecture is in part because
Hindus preferred to build temples with stone and
other lasting materials, and invariably built
secular structures with impermanent materials
except for the foundation.[8] The secular
architecture was never opposed to the religious in
India, and it is the sacred architecture such as
those found in the Hindu temples which were
inspired by and adaptations of the secular ones.
Further, states Harle, it is in the reliefs on temple
walls, pillars, toranas and madapams where
miniature version of the secular architecture can
be found.

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mgtorres 15 Hindu temple architecture re ects a synthesis of
arts, the ideals of dharma, beliefs, values and the
way of life cherished under Hinduism. The temple
is a place for Tirtha—pilgrimage. All the cosmic
hindu temple elements that create and celebrate life in Hindu
architecture
pantheon, are present in a Hindu temple—from
re to water, from images of nature to deities,
from the feminine to the masculine, from kama to
artha, from the eeting sounds and incense
smells to Purusha—the eternal nothingness yet
universality—is part of a Hindu temple
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architecture. The form and meanings of

architectural elements in a Hindu temple are
designed to function as the place where it is the
link between man and the divine, to help his
progress to spiritual knowledge and truth, his
liberation it calls moksha.
mgtorres 16 There are hardly any remains of Hindu temples

hindu temple architecture before the Gupta dynasty in the 4th century CE;
no doubt there were earlier structures in timber-
• There are hardly any remains of Hindu temples before the Gupta dynasty in the 4th based architecture. The rock-cut Udayagiri Caves
century CE; no doubt there were earlier structures in timber-based architecture.
• The rock-cut Udayagiri Caves are among the most important early sites, built with
are among the most important early sites, built
royal sponsorship, recorded by inscriptions, and with impressive sculpture.
with royal sponsorship, recorded by inscriptions,
• The earliest preserved Hindu temples are simple cell-like stone temples, some rock-
cut and others structural. and with impressive sculpture. The earliest
B y the 6th or 7th century, these evolved into high shikhara stone superstructures. preserved Hindu temples are simple cell-like
• Towering temples existed before this time and these were possibly made from stone temples, some rock-cut and others
more perishable material. These temples have not survived.
structural, as at Temple 17 at Sanchi.By the 6th
or 7th century, these evolved into high shikhara
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stone superstructures. However, there is

inscriptional evidence such as the ancient
Gangadhara inscription from about 424, states
Meister, that towering temples existed before this
time and these were possibly made from more
perishable material. These temples have not
survived

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mgtorres 17 By about the 7th century most main features of

hindu temple architecture the Hindu temple were established along with
theoretical texts on temple architecture and
• Hindu temples are what Hindu religious architecture was all about. They building methods. From between about the 7th
are not merely places of worship; they are the very abode of the god inside
– in spirit, soul and body. and 13th centuries a large number of temples and
their ruins have survived (though far fewer than
A fter a period of decay while Buddhism was the popular religion, the
revival of Hinduism in the 5th century AD gave a new boost to sculptors. once existed). Many regional styles developed,
• Sculptors carved out temples from gigantic solid stone after moving them very often following political divisions, as large
away from the mountainside
temples were typically built with royal patronage.
In the north, Muslim invasions from the 11th
century onwards reduced the building of temples,
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and saw the loss of many existing ones.[16] The

south also witnessed Hindu-Muslim con ict that
a ected the temples, but the region was relatively
less a ected than the north. In late 14th century,
the Hindu Vijayanagara Empire came to power
and controlled much of South India. During this
period, the distinctive very tall gopuram
gatehouse, (actually a late development, from the
12th century or later), was typically added to
older large temples.
18 A Hindu temple is a symmetry-driven structure,

hindu temple architecture with many variations, on a square grid of padas,
depicting perfect geometric shapes such as
• An open, symmetry driven structure, circles and squares. The underlying principle in a
with many variations, on a square
grid, deploying perfect geometric
shapes such as circles and squares.
Hindu temple is built around the belief that all
• The Hindu temple architecture reflects things are one, everything is connected. A
a synthesis of arts, the ideals of
dharma, beliefs, values and the way of
life cherished under Hinduism
temple, "replicates again and again the Hindu
• In ancient Indian texts, a temple is a beliefs in the parts mirroring, and at the same
place for Tirtha - pilgrimage. It is a
sacred site whose ambience and design
attempts to symbolically condense the
time being, the universal whole" like an "organism
ideal tenets of Hindu way of life.
of repeating cells".
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At the centre of the temple, typically below and
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sometimes above or next to the deity, is mere

hollow space with no decoration, symbolically
representing Purusa, the Supreme Principle, the
sacred Universal, one without form, which is
present everywhere, connects everything, and is
the essence of everyone.

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19 In some parts of India, the ascending pyramid

The roof roof format was not followed. The roof in such
temples was still pyramidical, but was formed of
• In some parts of India, the ascending
pyramid roof format was not followed.
layers which gradually became narrower as they
• The roof in some temples was still rose. A courtyard was built around the religious
pyramidal, but was formed of layers
which gradually became narrower as
they rose.
temple, and sometimes a wall would be
• A courtyard was built around the constructed to ensure seclusion. The outside
religious temple, and sometimes a wall
would be constructed to ensure
seclusion. walls were treated by carving in an orderly group
• The outside walls were treated by
carving in an orderly group of repetitive
of repetitive miniatures. The shikhara or tapering
miniatures.
roof was speci cally based on this design which
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may have originated from the domed huts of
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central and eastern India.
20 The pilgrim is welcomed through mathematically

Design process structured spaces, a network of art, pillars with
carvings and statues that display and celebrate
T he pilgrim is welcomed through
the four important and necessary principles of
mathematically structured spaces, a network
of art, pillars with carvings and statues that human life—the pursuit of artha (prosperity,
display and celebrate the four important and
necessary principles of human life.
wealth), the pursuit of kama (desire), the pursuit
• The pursuit of artha (prosperity, wealth),
• The pursuit of kama (pleasure, sex),
of dharma (virtues, ethical life) and the pursuit of
• The pursuit of dharma (virtues, ethical life)
and
moksha (release, self-knowledge).
• The pursuit of moksha (release, self-

knowledge).
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mgtorres 21 A Hindu temple is meant to encourage re ection,

facilitate puri cation of one's mind, and trigger
A Hindu temple is meant to encourage the process of inner realization within the
reflection, facilitate purification of devotee. The speci c process is left to the
one’s mind, and trigger the process of devotee's school of belief. The primary deity of
inner realization within the devotee.
di erent Hindu temples varies to re ect this
Hindu Temple Design spiritual spectrum.
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mgtorres 22 The appropriate site for a Mandir, suggest ancient

The site Sanskrit texts, is near water and gardens, where
lotus and owers bloom, where swans, ducks
and other birds are heard, where animals rest
N ear water and gardens without fear of injury or harm.[2] These
• “sangams” - River banks, lakes and seashore.
harmonious places were recommended in these
• Temples may also be built where a natural source of water is not present.
Here too, they recommend that a pond be built preferably in front or to the
left of the temple with water gardens.
texts with the explanation that such are the
• Temples may also be built, inside caves and carved stones, on hill tops
places where gods play, and thus the best site for
affording peaceful views, mountain slopes overlooking beautiful valleys,
inside forests and hermitages, next to gardens, or at the head of a town Hindu temples.
street.
While major Hindu mandirs are recommended at

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sangams (con uence of rivers), river banks, lakes

and seashore, the Brhat Samhita and Puranas
suggest temples may also be built where a
natural source of water is not present. Here too,
they recommend that a pond be built preferably
in front or to the left of the temple with water
gardens. If water is neither present naturally nor
by design, water is symbolically present at the
consecration of temple or the deity. Temples may
also be built, inside caves and carved stones, on
hill tops a ording peaceful views, mountain
slopes overlooking beautiful valleys, inside
forests and hermitages, next to gardens, or at the
head of a town street.

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In practice most temples are built as part of a

village or town. Some sites such as the capitals
of kingdoms and those considered particularly
favorable in terms of sacred geography had
numerous temples. Many ancient capitals
vanished and the surviving temples are now
found in a rural landscape; often these are the
best-preserved examples of older styles.
23 A Hindu temple design follows a geometrical

The layout design called vastu-purusha-mandala. The name
is a composite Sanskrit word with three of the
most important components of the plan. Mandala
A Hindu temple design follows a
geometrical design called vastu-purusha-
mandala.
means circle, Purusha is universal essence at the
• Mandala means circle, Purusha is core of Hindu tradition, while Vastu means the
universal essence at the core of
Hindu tradition, while Vastu means
the dwelling structure.
dwelling structure.
• The design lays out a Hindu temple The design lays out a Hindu temple in a
in a symmetrical, self-repeating
structure derived from central
beliefs, myths, cardinality and
symmetrical, self-repeating structure derived from
mathematical principles.
central beliefs, myths, cardinality and
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The four cardinal directions help create the axis

of a Hindu temple, around which is formed a
perfect square in the space available. The circle
of mandala circumscribes the square. The square
is considered divine for its perfection and as a
symbolic product of knowledge and human
thought, while circle is considered earthly, human
and observed in everyday life (moon, sun,
horizon, water drop, rainbow). Each supports the
other

24 The symmetric Vastu-purusa-mandala grids are

The layout sometimes combined to form a temple
superstructure with two or more attached
squares. The temples face sunrise, and the
A Hindu temple design follows a
geometrical design called vastu-purusha-
mandala.
entrance for the devotee is typically in the east
• Mandala means circle, Purusha is side. This vastu purusha mandala plan and
universal essence at the core of
Hindu tradition, while Vastu means
the dwelling structure.
symbolism is systematically seen in ancient
• The design lays out a Hindu temple Hindu temples on Indian subcontinent as well as
in a symmetrical, self-repeating
structure derived from central
beliefs, myths, cardinality and
those in southeast Asia, with regional creativity
and variations.
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Mega temple sites have a main temple
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surrounded by smaller temples and shrines, but

these are still arranged by principles of symmetry,
grids and mathematical precision. An important
principle found in the layout of Hindu temples is
mirroring and repeating fractal-like design
structure, each unique yet also repeating the
central common principle. The ancient texts on
Hindu temple design, do not limit themselves to
the design of a Hindu temple. They describe the
temple as a holistic part of its community, and lay
out various principles and a diversity of alternate
designs for home, village and city layout along
with the temple, gardens, water bodies and
nature.
25 The 64 grid is the most sacred and common

The layout Hindu temple template. The bright sa ron center,
where diagonals intersect above, represents the
• The 8x8 (64) grid Manduka Purusha (universal principle) of Hindu philosophy
Hindu Temple Floor Plan,
according to Vastu-purusa- -
mandala
Purusha (Purusa) - means the cosmic being or self,

consciousness, and universal principle
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mgtorres 26 A Hindu temple is a symbolic reconstruction of

the universe and universal principles that make
everything in it function. The temples re ect
Hindu philosophy and its diverse views on
cosmos and Truths.
Hinduism has no traditional ecclesiastical order,

no centralized religious authorities, no governing
body, no prophet(s) nor any binding holy book;
Hindus can choose to be polytheistic,
pantheistic, monistic, or atheistic. Within this
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di use and open structure, spirituality in Hindu

philosophy is an individual experience.
The architecture of Hindu temples is also

symbolic. The whole structure fuses the daily life
and it surroundings with the divine concepts,
through a structure that is open yet raised on a
terrace, transitioning from the secular towards the
sacred, inviting the visitor inwards towards the
Brahma pada and temple's central core, as well
as lifting him upwards into a symbolic space
marked by its spire (shikhara, vimana). The
ancient temples had grand intricately carved
entrances but no doors, and lacked a boundary
wall. In most cultures, a boundary and gateway
separates the secular and the sacred, and this
gateway door is grand. In Hindu tradition, this is
discarded in favor of an open and di usive
architecture, where the secular world was not
separated from the sacred, but transitioned and
owed into the sacred. The Hindu temple has
structural walls, which were patterned usually
within the 64 grid, or other geometric layouts. Yet
the layout was open on all sides, except for the
core space which had just one opening.

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Basic Parts
• Garbhagriha
• Mandapa
• Shikhara or Vimana
• Amalaka
• Kalasha
• Antarala
• Jagati
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28

29 It literally means ‘womb-house’ and is a cave like

Garbha-griha a sanctum.
Garbha-griya
In the earliest temples, it was a small cubical
• Beneath the mandala’s central structure with a single entrance.
square(s) is the space for the formless

shapeless all pervasive all connecting
Universal Spirit, the Purusha.
Later it grew into a larger complex.
• This space is sometimes referred to as The Garbhagriha is made to house the main icon
garbha-griya (literally womb house) - a
small, perfect square, windowless,
enclosed space without ornamentation
(main deity) which is itself the focus of much ritual
that represents universal essence.
attention.
• In or near this space is typically a
murti (idol). This is the main deity
idol, and this varies with each
temple.
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31 It is the entrance to the temple.
mandapa/mandap It may be a portico or colonnaded (series of

MANTAPAM/MANTAPA
columns placed at regular intervals) hall that
• Large temples also have pillared halls incorporates space for a large number of
called mandapa. One on the east side,
serves as the waiting room for
pilgrims and devotees. The mandapa
worshippers.
may be a separate structure in older

temples, but in newer temples this Dances and such other entertainments are
space is integrated into the temple
superstructure. practiced here.
• Mega temple sites have a main temple

surrounded by smaller temples and Some temples have multiple mandapas in
shrines, but these are still arranged
by principles of symmetry, grids and di erent sizes named as Ardhamandapa,
mathematical precision
Mandapa, and Mahamandapa.
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32

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33 They are mountain like the spire of a free-

Sikhara/shikara standing temple.
SHIKHARA/VIMANA
Shikhara is found in North Indian temples and
• A Hindu temple has a Sikhara Vimana is found in South Indian temples.
(Vimana or Spire) that rises

symmetrically above the central
core of the temple. These spires
Shikhara has a curving shape while vimana has a
come in many designs and shapes,
but they all have mathematical
pyramidal-like structure.
precision and geometric symbolism.
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34 It is a stone disc like structure at the top of the

Amalaka temple and they are common in North Indian
temples.
• An amalaka is a stone disk,
often with ridges, that sits on a
temple's main tower (Sikhara).
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35 It is the topmost point of the temple and
Kalasha commonly seen in North Indian temples.
KALASA
• the pinnacle element of a

temple, a vase finial, cupola or
pitcher
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36 Antarala is a transition area between the

Antarala Garbhagriha and the temple’s main hall
(mandapa).
• Antarala is a small antechamber or

foyer between the garbhagriha/
garbha graha (shrine) and the
mandapa, more typical of north Indian
temples.
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37 It is a raised platform for sitting and praying and
JAGaTI is common in North Indian temples.
• Any moulded base or pedestal

for the temple or a statue that
extends out, part of platform
that forms a terrace to stand on
or circumambulate around on,
while reading the reliefs and
friezes
• Jagati is a term used to refer a

raised surface, platform or
terrace upon which the temple
is placed.
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mgtorres 38 Detailed discussions on Southeast Asian Styles

Different styles of hindu architecture of Hindu architecture will be on a later date.
• Nagara architecture Southeast Asian Architecture

• Indonesian candi
• Dravidian architecture
• Khmer architecture
• Badami Chalukya architecture
• Champa architecture
• Gadag Architecture style
• Contemporary architecture
• Kalinga architecture style
• Māru-Gurjara temple architecture
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mgtorres 39 North Indian temples are referred to as Nagara

Nagara style style of temple architecture. They have sanctum
Nagara temples have two distinct features :
sanctorum where the deity is present, open on
• In plan, the temple is a square with a number of graduated projections in one side from where the devotee obtains
the middle of each side giving a cruciform shape with a number of re-
entrant angles on each side. darśana. There may or may not be many more
• In elevation, a Shikhara, i.e., tower gradually inclines inwards in a convex surrounding corridors, halls, etc. However, there
curve, using a concentric rotating-squares and circles principle.
will be space for devotees to go around the
T he projections in the plan are also carried upwards to the top of the
Sikhara and, thus, there is strong emphasis on vertical lines in elevation.
temple in clockwise fashion circumambulation. In
North Indian temples, the tallest towers are built
over the sanctum sanctorum in which the deity is
installed.
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40 The north India Nagara style of temple designs

Nagara style often deploy fractal-theme, where smaller parts of
the temple are themselves images or geometric
• The Nagara style is widely re-arrangement of the large temple, a concept
distributed over a greater part
of India, exhibiting distinct that later inspired French and Russian
varieties and ramifications in
lines of evolution and architecture such as the matryoshka principle.
elaboration according to each
locality. One di erence is the scope and cardinality, where
Hindu temple structures deploy this principle in
every dimension with garbhgriya as the primary
Kandariya Mahadeva Temple locus, and each pada as well as zones serving as
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additional centers of loci. This makes a Nagara
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Hindu temple architecture symbolically a

perennial expression of movement and time, of
centrifugal growth fused with the idea of unity in
everything.

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41 Dravidian architecture or the South Indian temple
Dravidian style style is an architectural idiom in Hindu temple
architecture that emerged in the southern part of
• Dravidian architecture was an the Indian subcontinent or South India and in Sri
architectural idiom that emerged in
the southern part of the Indian
subcontinent or south India.
Lanka, reaching its nal form by the sixteenth
• It consists primarily of temples with century.
pyramid shaped towers and are
constructed of sandstone, soapstone
or granite. Mentioned as one of
three styles of temple building in
the ancient book Vastu Shastra, the
majority of the existing structures
are located in the southern Indian
Eg: Ranganathaswamy Temple, Srirangam
states.
mgtorres 41
mgtorres 42 It is seen in Hindu temples, and the most

Dravidian style distinctive di erence from north Indian styles is
the use of a shorter and more pyramidal tower
D ravidian style temples consist almost invariably of the four following parts, differing only
over the garbhagriha or sanctuary called a
according to the age in which they were executed:
vimana, where the north has taller towers, usually
• The principal part, the temple itself, is called the Vimana (or Vimanam). It is always square
in plan and surmounted by a pyramidal roof of one or more stories; it contains the cell where
the image of the god or his emblem is placed.
bending inwards as they rise, called shikharas.
• The porches or Mandapas (or Mantapams), which always cover and precede the door However, for modern visitors to larger temples
leading to the cell.
• Gate-pyramids, Gopuram, which are the principal features in the quadrangular enclosures the dominating feature is the high gopura or
that surround the more notable temples.
• Pillared halls or Chaultris—properly Chawadis -- used for various purposes, and which are
gatehouse at the edge of the compound; large
the invariable accompaniments of these temples.
temples have several, dwar ng the vimana; these
are a much more recent development. There are
42
numerous other distinct features such as the

dwarapalakas - twin guardians at the main
entrance and the inner sanctum of the temple
and goshtams - deities carved in niches on the
outer side walls of the garbhagriha.

ff
fi
fi

mgtorres 43 The Badami Chalukya architecture was a temple

Badami chalukya building idiom that evolved in the 5th – 8th
VESARA STYLE; CHALUKYA STYLE
centuries AD in the Malaprabha river basin, in
• The Badami Chalukya Architecture|Chalukya style originated during 450 CE present-day Bagalkot district of Karnataka state
in Aihole and perfected in Pattadakal and Badami
of India, under the Chalukya dynasty. This style is
• The period of Badami Chalukyas was a glorious era in the history of Indian
architecture. The capital of the Chalukyas, Vatapi (Badami, in Bagalkot
district, North Karnataka in Karnataka) is situated at the mouth of a ravine
sometimes called the Vesara style and Chalukya
between two rocky hills. style, a term that also includes the much later
B adami Chalukyas established the foundations of cave temple architecture.
Those styles mainly include Aihole, Pattadakal and Badami. The sites were
Western Chalukya architecture of the 11th and
built out of sandstone cut into enormous blocks from the outcrops in the chains 12th centuries.
of the Kaladgi hills.
43
44 The Badami Chalukya architecture was a temple
Badami chalukya building idiom that evolved in the 5th – 8th
centuries AD. The outside verandas of the cave
• The Badami Chalukya temples are rather plain, but the inner hall
architecture was a temple
building idiom that evolved in contains rich and proli c sculptural symbolism.
the 5th – 8th centuries AD
• Badami cave temples have

rock-cut halls with three basic
features: pillared veranda,
columned hall and a sanctum
cut out deep into rock.
Eg: Virupaksha temple
mgtorres 44

fi

mgtorres 45 In uences of Western Chalukya architecture can

Gadag style be discerned in the geographically distant
schools of architecture of the Hoysala Empire in
• The Gadag style of architecture is also called western chalukya southern Karnataka. Sometimes called the Gadag
architecture. The style flourished for 150 years (1050 to 1200 CE); in this
period, about 50 temples were built. style of architecture, Western Chalukya
architecture is considered a precursor to the
M arked by ornate pillars with intricate sculpture. Hoysala architecture of southern Karnataka. This
in uence occurred because the early builders
employed by the Hoysalas came from
pronounced centres of medieval Chalukya art.
Further monuments in this style were built not
45
only by the Western Chalukya kings but, also by

their feudal vassals.
46 The basic oor plan is de ned by the size of the

Gadag style shrine, the size of the sanctum, the distribution of
the building mass, and by the pradakshina (path
• Western Chalukya architecture also for circumambulation), if there is one.
known as Kalyani
Chalukya or Later
Chalukya architecture, is the
Architectural articulation refers to the ornamental
distinctive style of ornamented
architecture that evolved during the
components that give shape to the outer wall of
rule of the Western Chalukya
Empire. the shrine. These include projections, recesses,
Eg: Dodda Basappa Temple
• A typical Western Chalukya temple and representations that can produce a variety of
may be examined from three
aspects – the basic floor plan, the
architectural articulation, and the
patterns and outlines, either stepped, stellate
figure sculptures.
(star-shaped), or square. Figure sculptures are
mgtorres
miniature representations that stand by
46
themselves, including architectural components

on pilasters, buildings, sculptures, and complete
towers. They are generally categorised as " gure
sculpture" or "other decorative features".

fl
fl
fl
fi

fi
mgtorres 47 The Kaḷinga architectural style is a style of Hindu
Kalinga style architecture which ourished in the ancient
Kalinga previously known as Utkal and in present
• The design which flourished in Eastern Indian states eastern Indian state of Odisha. In Kalinga, the
• The style consists of three distinct type of temples namely Rekha Deula, Pidha Deula and
Khakhara Deula. ancient land of Sakta, divine iconography existed
• Deula means "temple" in the local language. The Rekha deula and Khakhara deula houses
the sanctum sanctorum while the Pidha Deula constitutes outer dancing and offering halls.
since the mythological era. Present day research
• Present day research implies that idols (deities) were placed under auspicious trees in the implies that idols (deities) were placed under
ancient days.
• A temple in general carries various minute details and the overall shape of some heritage auspicious trees in the ancient days. And maybe
tree. The various aspects of a typical Kalinga temple include architectural stipulations,
iconography, historical connotations and honoring the traditions, customs and associated
legends.
today a temple in general carries various minute
details and the overall shape of some heritage
tree. Therefore, the various aspects of a typical
47
Kalinga temple include architectural stipulations,

iconography, historical connotations and
honoring the traditions, customs and associated
legends.
48 The style consists of three distinct type of

Kalinga style temples namely Rekha Deula, Pidha Deula and
Khakhara Deula.
Deula means "temple" in the local language. The

A uthority: there is a specific
hierarchy of Command for the
management of people involved.
Rekha deula and Khakhara deula houses the
• Chief patron, chief architect, chief sanctum sanctorum while the Pidha Deula
engineer, masons/builders,
master sculptor. constitutes outer dancing and o ering halls.
M aterial Selection: Primarily

According to Manusmṛti there is a speci c
certain classes of stones are considered
auspicious for the construction of hierarchy of Command for the management of
Kalinga deula (temples).
people involve. Primarily certain classes of stones
mgtorres
are considered auspicious for the construction of
48
Kalinga deula (temples). Shilpa Chandrika, an

ancient architecture book de ne some speci c
varieties of stone as ideal and speci c types are
used for certain portions of the temple.

fl
fi
ff
fi
fi
fi

49 Various aspects like type of soil, shape of the

Kalinga style Plot, location of the plot, availability and type of
space and ground water level, etc. are taken into
S ite Selection: Various aspects like type of soil,
consideration while selecting the site. Color,
shape of the Plot, location of the plot, availability
and type of space and ground water level, etc. are
taken into consideration while selecting the site.
density, composition and moisture content of the
A ncient Science: the temples direction and the
soil discriminates between the best, middle, sub-
auspicious moment for beginning the sacred
construction is determined. middle and worst kind of soil. Based on Vastu
• Scale model: The Main Sculptor similar to
Chief Architect creates a scale model based on
traditional stipulations and takes the Karta's
Shastra, a rectangular, square, elliptical or circular
(producer / financier) approval. In many
instances we see such depictions on walls and plot of land is selected in order of preference.
motifs.
This is an intricate and very old method in Shilpa
mgtorres
Baitala Deula
Shastra, by which the temple's direction and the

49
auspicious moment for beginning the sacred

construction is determined. Like the present day
Geomorphology, Seismology, Topology etc.,
probably this is some ancient science which
guides the architect to understand natural forces
and build stable massive structures in Odisha.
The Main Sculptor similar to Chief Architect

creates a scale model based on traditional
stipulations and takes the Karta's (producer /
nancier) approval.
mgtorres 50 a style of north Indian temple architecture that

Māru-Gurjara style originated in Gujarat and Rajasthan from the 11th
to 13th centuries, under the Chaulukya dynasty
• Māru-Gurjara temple architecture originated somewhere in 11th century in (or Solaṅkī dynasty). Although originating as a
and around areas of Rajasthan. Māru-Gurjara architecture show the deep
understanding of structures and refined skills of Rajasthani craftmen. regional style in Hindu temple architecture, it
• On the exteriors, the style is distinguished from other north Indian temple became especially popular in Jain temples and,
styles of the period in "that the external walls of the temples have been
structured by increasing numbers of projections and recesses, mainly under Jain patronage, later spread across
accommodating sharply carved statues in niches. Hardly any segment of
the surface is left unadorned. India and to diaspora communities around the
• Interiors are more lavishly decorated, with elaborate carving on most world.
surfaces.
50

fi

mgtorres 51
Navlakha Temple
Jain Luna Vasahi temple
Bands of relief at Jagdish Temple
51
mgtorres 52
Architectural elements
52

53
Architectural Elements
ADHISTHANA
• stylobate, plinth, base typically

with mouldings on the side, on
which a temple building or
pillar stands
mgtorres 53
54
ARDHAMANDAPA
• half hall at each entrance, usually

the reception area that connects
to the mandapa.
• In Hindu temple architecture,

Ardhamandapa, also spelled
artha mandapam or ardh
mandapam, is an important
element of the entrance group. It
is an entrance porch forming a
transitional area between the
outside and a mandapa of the
temple.
mgtorres 54

55
AYATANA
• assembly hall, grounds inside a

temple or monastery compound
mgtorres 55
56
GANA (SCULPTURE)
• a mythical dwarf or goblin

usually with a protruded belly
and with humorous expression
mgtorres 56

57
GAVAKSHA
• one of the arch motifs; it is

horseshoe-shaped, found with
windows or for decorating
spires, pillars and other
elements
mgtorres 57
58
HARA (SCULPTURE)
• neck ornament such as necklace
mgtorres 58

59
JALA/JALI
• a trellis, stone grille, net, first

seen in 6th-century temples
mgtorres 59
60
KUNDA
• temple tank, stepwell, pool, usually

with steps, public utility for taking
a dip; often connected to a nearby
river or mountain stream
mgtorres 60

61
NISHA
• niche on temple walls or in

pillars for sculptures or stele
mgtorres 61
62
PRAKARA
• wall that separates an inner

zone of temple ground from an
outer zone; typically concentric,
defensive and fortified, a
feature added after the wars
and plunders starting in the
14th-century
mgtorres 62

63
PRASTARA
• entablature, horizontal
superstructure of bands and
moldings above column
capitals, sometimes functions
as a parapet of a storey
mgtorres 63
64
RATHA
• a facet or vertical offset projection on

the plan of the sanctum
and shikhara above, or other
structure.
• It is generally carried up from the

bottom of the temple to the
superstructure.
• A ratha, meaning cart, is also the

temple chariot used for processing the
murti at festivals, and a "ratha
temple" is one designed to resemble a
cart, with wheels on the sides, and
often horses.
mgtorres 64

65
RATHA
• a facet or vertical offset projection on

the plan of the sanctum
and shikhara above, or other
structure.
• It is generally carried up from the

bottom of the temple to the
superstructure.
• A ratha, meaning cart, is also the

temple chariot used for processing the
murti at festivals, and a "ratha
temple" is one designed to resemble a
cart, with wheels on the sides, and
often horses.
mgtorres 65 Modern Ratha
66
SALA/CHALA
• Round barrel-roofed, wagon-roofed

pavilion; rooted in the thatched roofed
stall for people or cattle tradition,
then other materials of construction;
any mansion or griha;
• a pilgrim services building with

mandapas or pillared veranda or both
inside the temple complex, Hindu
texts describe multi-storey Sala; in
south, sala are structures used as a
decorative motif, or an actual roof, as
at the top of gopurams; rooted in
ancient thatched roof styles.
mgtorres 66

67
STAMBHA/KAMBHA
• A pillar; it can be a load bearing

element or an independent
standing element
with diya (lamps) and Hindu icons
below, around and / or on top; the
designs vary significantly by region
• in Kerala Hindu temples they

are at the entrance;
• on festive occasions the wick

lamps are loaded with oil and lit
up.
mgtorres 67
68
SUKANASA
• an external ornamented feature over

the entrance to the garbhagriha or
inner shrine. It sits on the face of
the sikhara tower (in South India,
the vimana) as a sort of antefix. Can
refer to the antarala below as well.
mgtorres 68

69
TALA
• tier or storey of a shikhara,

vimana or gopuram
mgtorres 69
70
TORANA
• any arch or canopy motif,

ornament or architectural
member in temples and
buildings; it also refers to an
arched gateway
mgtorres 70

71
URUSHRINGA
• An urushringa is a subsidiary
Sikhara, lower and narrower,
tied against the main sikhara.
mgtorres 71
mgtorres 72
END OF LECtURE
72

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5 Hindu Architecture in India

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mgtorres 1

Hindu Architecture of India

5 Hindu Architecture in India.key - September 22, 2021

mgtorres 4 Hinduism is the world's oldest religion, according

5 Hindu Architecture in India.key - September 22, 2021

mgtorres 6 The word Hindū is derived from Indo-Aryan root

exclusively through their religious beliefs; instead

5 Hindu Architecture in India.key - September 22, 2021

NowThisWorld, Retrieved 17 July 2021, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmV2Wd8bOcc mgtorres 8 https://www.youtube.com/watch?

5 Hindu Architecture in India.key - September 22, 2021

mgtorres 10 Hindu architecture evolved over the centuries

• Precise and harmonious geometry

gods, worshippers, erotic scenes, animals, and

5 Hindu Architecture in India.key - September 22, 2021

mgtorres 11 From the 1st century CE a new type of worship

Buildings were constructed which could house a

sacred symbol of a particular god, which could

mgtorres 12 Vastu shastra (literally "science of architecture”) is

(yantra), symmetry, and directional alignments.

The Manasara is among the few on Hindu

Shilpa Shastras literally means the Science of

mgtorres 13 By far the most important, characteristic and

the earliest period.

5 Hindu Architecture in India.key - September 22, 2021

mgtorres 14 There is far fewer secular Hindu architecture such

16th-century, such as those exempli ed by the

5 Hindu Architecture in India.key - September 22, 2021

architecture. The form and meanings of

mgtorres 16 There are hardly any remains of Hindu temples

stone superstructures. However, there is

5 Hindu Architecture in India.key - September 22, 2021

mgtorres 17 By about the 7th century most main features of

and saw the loss of many existing ones.[16] The

18 A Hindu temple is a symmetry-driven structure,

sometimes above or next to the deity, is mere

5 Hindu Architecture in India.key - September 22, 2021

19 In some parts of India, the ascending pyramid

central and eastern India.

20 The pilgrim is welcomed through mathematically

• The pursuit of moksha (release, self-

5 Hindu Architecture in India.key - September 22, 2021

mgtorres 21 A Hindu temple is meant to encourage re ection,

mgtorres 22 The appropriate site for a Mandir, suggest ancient

While major Hindu mandirs are recommended at

sangams (con uence of rivers), river banks, lakes

5 Hindu Architecture in India.key - September 22, 2021

In practice most temples are built as part of a

23 A Hindu temple design follows a geometrical

The four cardinal directions help create the axis

5 Hindu Architecture in India.key - September 22, 2021

24 The symmetric Vastu-purusa-mandala grids are

surrounded by smaller temples and shrines, but

25 The 64 grid is the most sacred and common

Purusha (Purusa) - means the cosmic being or self,

5 Hindu Architecture in India.key - September 22, 2021

mgtorres 26 A Hindu temple is a symbolic reconstruction of

Hinduism has no traditional ecclesiastical order,

di use and open structure, spirituality in Hindu

The architecture of Hindu temples is also

5 Hindu Architecture in India.key - September 22, 2021

5 Hindu Architecture in India.key - September 22, 2021

29 It literally means ‘womb-house’ and is a cave like

square(s) is the space for the formless

5 Hindu Architecture in India.key - September 22, 2021