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ISSN: 2321-8819 (Online) 2348-7186 (Print) Impact Factor: 1.498 Vol. 8, Issue 5, May, 2020

Vernacular Temple Architecture of - A Study of Style and Connecting Link with China

Durga Basu Former Professor & HOD, Deptt. of Archaeology University of Calcutta E-mail address: [email protected]

Abstract structures in different parts of and other Asian countries are the result of geographical, The emergence of vernacular temple climatic, ritualistic, indigenous artistic activities, architecture is a result of certain local religious ferment and needs for constructing shrines for the local deities historical situation and ethnic diversities. In each which are the common factors in most of the states of country, temples have been classified according to India. These structures had their own architectural their architectural styles of which some have been patterns. The distinct architectural style of temple marked as classical or higher architectural construction in different parts of 6the country was a construction pattern while some temples have result of geographical, climatic, ritualistic, indigenous shown folk elements in the structural styles with a artistic activities, historical situation and ethnic typical rural hut style. Some of the finest examples diversities. In any country temples have been classified of these vernacular religious structure or folk according to different architectural styles of which some temples have come from various parts of India of have been marked as classical while some reflect vernacular structural styles in the construction. The finest which present article aims to highlight the examples of vernacular temples come from Himachal vernacular temple Architecture of Himachal Pradesh in northern India. Structurally and conceptually Pradesh in the foot hills of the . In this these temples are quite different from the major geographical area, regional style has captured a architectural patterns of India. These temples are dominant position in the structural composition of uniquely built with local materials of stone and wood. the temples thereby bringing forth some new The present study will highlight varied vernacular temple indigenous forms of religious structure. It has also structures of this region where rural elements played a been noticed that the constructional techniques of pre-dominant role. While analyzing the extant temples it such temples are remarkably similar to that of is further noticed that some of India’s neighbouring countries reveal the same concept while building the folk common vernacular house pattern which are temple. So the present work has made a comparative dynamic in character. I have also targeted to show study with some folk temples of China. a common link with China in conception of building the folk religious structures, since both For this research work , I had a village to village survey t6hese countries have revealed certain common in Kulu and Manali region in Himachal Pradesh for gathering detail information and digital documentations. factors. Physiography Key words: Vernacular architecture, Himachal Pradesh. temples, wooden structure, artistic work, The state of Himachal Pradesh in northern India is Pent- roof. a hilly and mountainous region which is bounded by the land of Jammu and Kashmir in the northern Introduction side, state of Punjab stands for its western The emergence of vernacular temple architecture in boundary, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh border the any Asian country, is due to some indigenous needs south and southwest part of the state, Uttarakhand of structural buildings for day to day worship covers the south- eastern side and Tibet margins its which in most cases are built with ecologically eastern boundary. Geographically, Himachal suitable and sustainable local materials. Another Pradesh falls within the Himalayan system which cause for coming up the vernacular religious can be divided into three distinct physiographic buildings in different regions points towards the zones, namely – a) the Siwaliks; b) Inner increasing ritual practices and ferment of Himalayas ( Lesser Himalayas) or mid indigenous cult beliefs. Admittedly, in many Asian mountainous region; c) Alpine zone or the greater countries, the folk people have adopted such Himalayas. In the second zone ie. Inner Himalayas structures which are similar to their own houses. or Lesser Himalayas falls the state of Himachal These structures or their places of worship have Pradesh, the name of which is derived from two been created by their own architectural concepts Sanskrit words ‘ hima’ meaning snow and ‘chal’ which differ from region to region. The varied denoting mountain. The Inner Himalayas or Lesser architectural features of these vernacular temple Himalayas are characterized by the numerous deep

92 Asian Journal of Multidisciplinary Studies, 8(5) May, 2020

ISSN: 2321-8819 (Online) 2348-7186 (Print) Impact Factor: 1.498 Vol. 8, Issue 5, May, 2020

gorges formed by hasty river flows. The state is Chatri and Udaipur in Himachal Pradesh, even endowed with five perennial rivers, namely- Sutlej, though these temples have undergone several Beas, Ravi, Chenab and Yamuna. The climate of renovations and have lost their original character. the region mainly depends on the altitude which Other important folk styled temples are Sandya varies from semi tropical to the semi- arctic. Gayatri temple in Jagat Sukh, Sundari temple in Naggar, devi temple in Manali, This mountainous state is popularly known as Triloknath temple, Chamunda Devi temple, and ‘land of Gods’. Local people believe in different twin towered Bijat temple which are distinguished cults and religious faiths which include by their own folk styled architecture patterns. The Brahmanical, Buddhist and Jain (Nagar, 2019). architectural features of these temples have hardly People also worship some other local deities. shown any characteristic of the classical temple Among these deities, Hidima devi who is known as styles of India. Structurally folk hut style not only the consort of Is very popular in this region. creates an indigenous temple style but also The region witnesses the daily worship of hundreds provides important information regarding local of gods and goddesses along with many other religious ideas, traditions, customs and beliefs, spirits and unearthly beings. Temples are dedicated ritual practices, natural resources used as building to the lord Brahma and also to a number of Vedic materials and relations with different communities seers. So many interesting tales are associated with which are significant denominators for them thus indicating people’s deep rooted inner understanding the socio- cultural aspect of a belief. particular area. The old temples were built with locally available Architectural Features materials like- stone, especially the slate and wood, though rare use of bricks has also been noticed as The vernacular temples of Himachal Pradesh are supporting material. Himachal Pradesh is rich with characterized by the wooden temples which forest resources of which timber of varied types are architecturally, again divisible into two separate of great importance. The local people used this categories -the Pent- roof hill temples and pagoda local long lasting timber for the construction of type temples. The construction of rectangular stone their folk houses as well as their folk temples. The and wooden temples with pent- roof made of slate finest wood in this area is Deodar (Cedrous tiles are very common and oldest vernacular deodara) which means the ‘tree of divinities’ religious structure of this region. Another is (Bermier, 1997). The wooden temples execute very rectangular structures, combined with stone and significant aspects of folk life and organic wood with successive roofs super imposed one institution of the community. Emergence of so after another in the shape of a pagoda. The best many temples in the villages of Himachal Pradesh example is the temple in the indicates the predominating influence of the village valley (Chetwode, 1972). deities over the people. In Himachal Pradesh, two major roof styles viz. flat In snow capped mountainous region of Himalaya, and sloping roof are seen in the construction of with a serene ambience and preponderance of common village houses. There are many sub- natural beauty, the temples of Himachal Pradesh groups of these roof styles of which the sloping are truly the abodes of various divinities. These roof houses are characterized either by gabled or temples are generally built in the form of common pyramidal roof. The flat roofed temples are popular village houses which are constructed in accordance in the Kangra valley. The mid and higher hilly with the hilly environment. The physiographic areas have given rise to temples with pent-roofs characteristics of this region play a significant role and pyramidal tiers. Strong timber was used in the in the construction of the religious structures. A construction of such temples. Wooden construction number of folk house styled temples are seen in is very common in hilly regions for easy various districts of Himachal Pradesh. As temple availability of wood like Deodar and others which architecture commonly develops from the structural have thermal properties providing relief in cool pattern of folk houses, there is hardly any structural winters. Houses are generally built in two to three difference between the early modest temple storied high where the vertical wooden posts are architecture with common men’s houses. The meant to carry load. The upper floors are oldest and simplest forms of temples in Himalayan cantilevered thus creating more space all around. In region are generally single storied structures, some cases the ground floor is built in stone topped by gabled roof as it has been seen in the masonry with the upper floor of wood. Similar domestic houses. These village hut styled construction has been noticed in many temples in structures are noticed in the temples of Bharmaur,

93 Asian Journal of Multidisciplinary Studies, 8(5) May, 2020

ISSN: 2321-8819 (Online) 2348-7186 (Print) Impact Factor: 1.498 Vol. 8, Issue 5, May, 2020

these hilly areas. Some time very simple folk timber. The wooden pillars and the façade of the houses are built on bamboo poles. entrance are exquisitely carved. Main shrine area is preceded by a frontal porch. In the Himalayan The vernacular temples of the region, the houses are generally made of wood with Himalayan region have been constructed in various a sloping stone slate roof for protecting the ways where local architecture style played a structure from heavy rain and snow. As temples significant role to develop indigenous form temple have eventually evolved from folk houses, the architecture. Among these temples the Sandhya architectural pattern exhibits a significant Gayatri is worth mentioning for its unique folk resemblance. styled composition evident in its construction .The Sandhya Gayatri temple is located in Jagat Sukh, Another very interesting folk styled temple ancient capital of Kulu in Himachal Pradesh. The is Tripura Sundari devi temple.It is a graceful three temple of devi Sandhya Gayatri dates back to the tiered wooden temple in the village of Naggar in 8th c. A.D. Of the original temple structure, only Himachal Pradesh. Its top storey is circular in form walls, gate way and the subsidiary chapels have and two lower storeys are divided by wooden remained intact. This structure is surrounded by a pillars. The temple dates back to fifteenth century comparatively later structure. From the but originally its foundation is much older. The inscriptional record it is known that this later pitch of all the tiers of this temple is steep. This structure was built during 1428 A.D. The present steepness in roofing and the folk style treatment in day Sandhya Gayatri temple shows a gabled roof temple architecture became popular during covered with slate stones. It is a rectangular shrine fifteenth/sixteenth century. The exposed wooden built with stone and timber with wooden pillars. structural parts of this temple show lattice pattern The temple is surrounded by a covered ambulatory with flora and fauna motifs. The main sanctum path. The temple architecture is characterized by cella is preceded by an open rectangular mandapa typical village huts, constructed with wood and or assembly hall.

Tripura Sundari temple The Hidimba devi temple in the village of this structure was originally a Buddhist vihara. But Dhungri in Manali also reveals multi tiered timber according to Hutchinson and Vogel the structure temple. It is believed that this temple was built was initially that of a Siva temple. This temple during sixteenth century. The conical roof which shows a very unusual architectural feature. The has been replaced by modern galvanized iron roof main shrine shows typical northern Indian Nagara has shown the structural characteristics of simple style with curvilinear tower. But the structure of the village hut. The most significant part of this temple assembly hall has been composed in form of local is the wooden façades of the first floor which are hut style. The Triloknath temple is thus beautifully carved with the image of gods and characterized by a distinct combination of classical goddesses and animal motifs. and folk or vernacular architectural style. A unique architectural feature is noticed in the In Himachal Pradesh, a very popular and temple of Triloknath, located in the village of simple type of vernacular temple architecture is Triloknath, south of the left bank of the river single storey temple covered with gable – roof with Chandrabhaga in Himachal Pradesh. Nothing is left ridge running parallel to the longer walls. Such of the original structure. Local people believe that type of temples is generally dedicated to either

94 Asian Journal of Multidisciplinary Studies, 8(5) May, 2020

ISSN: 2321-8819 (Online) 2348-7186 (Print) Impact Factor: 1.498 Vol. 8, Issue 5, May, 2020

Chamunda Devi or Naga deities. In most cases this and upper part is mostly built with wood with type of temple is found in the high altitudinal areas overhanging structure. In the Bijat temple also we of Himalayan region. According to Omacanda find similar structural pattern, indicating an Handa the gable rooped temple structure might overwhelming influence of folk elements in the have been developed from formally built four temple architecture. The structural evidences of all walled cella –type shrine with pyramidal roof. In these temples clearly show the stronghold of folk this temple structure, sanctum cella is seen with elements and character high pitched gable roof supported by wooden China pillars. A frontal porch is also seen. One of this gable roofed temple is Chamunda Devi temple in Many Asian countries have revealed distinct Chamba district in Himachal Pradesh. Standing on temple architectural patterns which show a direct the shoulder of a spur of Shah- Madar range the adaptation of their local village hut style. The Chamunda devi temple has revealed a square neighbouring country China who produced a sanctum which is surrounded by ambulatory number of vernacular temples by its own style may passage on the sides and back. At the outer corners deserve special mention, since their folk or of the temples there are four stone pillars. Its vernacular temples have conceptually and in unique architectural characteristic lies in its certain cases architecturally show semblances with moderately pitched gable roof, covered with fine Indian vernacular temples. slates, supported by pillars. In China the folk or vernacular house is a rational Another typical village house type temple is twin response to the climate in terms of materials, towered Bijat temple. This twin towered of Bijat techniques and environment. Chinese village temple at southern Saharan is located far deep people have used an indigenous system of down in the hills, enshrining lord or Bijat. construction for their dwelling houses. The folk Its unique architectural features with almost two houses in China are primarily based on timber identical towers and an entrance to the courtyard construction since it is a locally available building display a new type of temple style which is more material. The construction material is a likely to the domestic houses of this region. As it is combination of bamboo, wooden frames, steep already mentioned that a common folk house in thatched roofs with broadly sloping eaves. The The this area consists of two stories the lower part is simple village huts have been noticed in various comprised of alternatively piled stones and timbers parts of China.

Common Folk House of China In various parts of this country, a close relationship Shan hut temple in China has revealed a close has been noticed between folk house and temple affinity with the common village house. Similarly, architecture. In China, Taoist temples, generally the Xian Straw Hut temple, constructed during called Gong have revealed some folk elements with Tang Dynasty, was originally a thatch roofed hut style composition in the structure. The Tai- temple of the Buddhists.

95 Asian Journal of Multidisciplinary Studies, 8(5) May, 2020

ISSN: 2321-8819 (Online) 2348-7186 (Print) Impact Factor: 1.498 Vol. 8, Issue 5, May, 2020

There is another type of folk house which shows the temples have wooden ornamentations with pagoda like tower with up raised corner Similar varied iconographic forms and depictions of flora type of temple architecture has been noticed in and fauna which are exquisitely carved on the various provinces of China. It is significant to note frontal walls of the main temples and on the façade. that even in China physical structure of folk house The structural composition of the entire temple dominates the religious structures from very building is fashioned in the shape of village house. ancient time. Daimiano temple in Shandong This idea of creating the folk temples in this way is province is one such example of this type of temple related to the people’s organic relation to their architecture. indigenous land and environment. The same feeling has been noticed in other countries also.. China has My present endevour is to highlight the revealed the same idea of construction of architectural marvel of vernacular temples of indigenous temple buildings. It is noticed that both Himachal Pradesh. Some of the most representative the hut style and pyramidal roof style are taken for temples have been surveyed and studied here which constructing their vernaculat temples which are would help us to enhance our knowledge about the conceptually related to the folk temples of local highly developed constructional techniques Himachal Pradesh. and skills of the village artisan classes. The most of

Folk house of China

96 Asian Journal of Multidisciplinary Studies, 8(5) May, 2020

ISSN: 2321-8819 (Online) 2348-7186 (Print) Impact Factor: 1.498 Vol. 8, Issue 5, May, 2020

Daimiano Temple

References Bernier, Ronald M.(1997) Himalayan Architecture, Fairleigh Dickinson Univ Press.London. Nagar, Shanti Lal (2009) The Temples of Himachal Pradesh, Aditya Prakashan. Delhi. Chetwode, Penelope,(1972) Kulu- The End of the Habitable World. JohnMurray, London

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