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Sakshi PDF Temple Architecture
Sakshi PDF Temple Architecture
BY-SAKSHI VASWANI
Time-line of Guptas
A Brief Introduction
The Gupta dynasty was founded by Srigupta.
Timeline of Gupta empire is about (319-550 AD).
The main rulers of this dynasty were Samudragupta and Chandragupta- II (Vikramaditya).
The Gupta era is also known as golden era in Indian history. ( Art, Architecture, Litrature,
Culture)
Type 1-
Square building with flat roof and shallow pillared porch.
The nucleus of a temple, the sanctum or cella
(garbhagriha) with a single entrance and a porch
(mandapa) appears for the first time here.
Notable examples are: kankali devi temple (tigawa) and
vishnu varah temple (eran).
Architecture of the Golden Era- Hindu Temples
Type 2-
An elaboration of type 1 with the addition
of an ambulatory (pradakshina) around the
sanctum.
Some temples had a second storey.
Notable examples are: Shiva temple at
Bhumara (M.P.) and Ladkhan temple at
Aihole.
Architecture of the Golden Era- Hindu Temples
Type 3-
Square temple with a pillared approach and
a high platform at a base.
Appearance of curvilinear tower known as
“shikhara”. The panchayatan style was
introduced along with the concept of
subsidiary shrines.
Notable examples are:
Dashavtara temple at Deogarh, Jhansi and
the brick temple at Bhitargaon , Kanpur.
Architecture of the Golden Era- Hindu Temples
Type 5-
This stage introduced circular temples with
shallow rectangular projections at the four
cardinal faces.
The only monument exemplifying the style
is the Maniyar math shrine at Rajgir, Bihar.
Temple Architecture
It was a gradual evolution starting from the rock cut- cave temples to
monolithic rathas which finally culminated in structural temples.
Temples are widely classified into following:-
- Nagara (in North India)
- Dravida (in South India)
-At times, the Vesara style of temples as an independent style created
through the mixing of Nagara and Dravida orders.
Temple Architecture
Garbhagriha:
It literally means ‘womb-house’ and
is a cave like a sanctum.
In the earliest temples, it was a
small cubical structure with a single
entrance.
Later it grew into a larger complex.
The Garbhagriha is made to house
the main icon (main deity) which is
itself the focus of much ritual
attention.
Temple Architecture
Mandapa:
It is the entrance to the temple.
It may be a portico or colonnaded
(series of columns placed at regular
intervals) hall that incorporates space
for a large number of worshippers.
Dances and such other entertainments
are practiced here.
Some temples have multiple mandapas
in different sizes named as
Ardhamandapa, Mandapa, and
Mahamandapa.
Temple Architecture
Shikhara or Vimana:
They are mountain like the
spire of a free-standing temple.
Shikhara is found in North
Indian temples and Vimana is
found in South Indian temples.
Shikhara has a curving shape
while vimana has a pyramidal-
like structure.
Temple Architecture
Amalaka:
It is a stone disc like structure
at the top of the temple and
they are common in North
Indian temples.
Kalasha:
It is the topmost point of the
temple and commonly seen in
North Indian temples.
Temple Architecture
Antarala (vestibule):
Antarala is a transition area
between the Garbhagriha and
the temple’s main hall
(mandapa).
Jagati:
It is a raised platform for sitting
and praying and is common in
North Indian temples.
Temple Architecture
8. Vahana:
It is the mount or vehicle of
the temple’s main deity along
with a standard pillar or Dhvaj
which is placed axially before
the sanctum.
Early Chalukyan Phase
The kingdom was founded by raja
Jaisimha after defeating Kadamba (The
Royal family of Northern Karnataka
region). The Chalukyan kings shifted their
early Capital from Aihole to Vatapi now
known as Badami.