z Available online at http://www.journalcra.com INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CURRENT RESEARCH International Journal of Current Research Vol. 9, Issue, 05, pp.50101-50107, May, 2017 ISSN: 0975-833X REVIEW ARTICLE PILLARS [STAMBHA]– THE SUPPORTIVE ELEMENTS OF HINDU TEMPLES *Ar.Meenal Kumar Smt M.M.College of Architecture, Nagpur, India ARTICLE INFO ABSTRACT Article History: Aeon the experience of Indian Shilpis in making of pillars has been profound be it stone, timber or Received 20th February, 2017 brick. Pillars (Stambha) forms an innate part of the Hindu Temple Architecture, thousand years back Received in revised form when these temples were built there were established design principals, testing methods, though no 18th March, 2017 software, calculators and spreadsheets etc were available, still the end results exhibited by these Accepted 26th April, 2017 temples are fabulous and are ‘Structural Engineering Marvels’. These pillars played a very prominent Published online 19th May, 2017 and pleasing part in the temple architecture of the time. Tall, slender, free-standing, beam supporting pillars, and pilasters, but these elements are not well defined as in the western classic architecture, and Key words: hence it becomes difficult to classify them as they have multifold relations which they have carried from one period to another transforming into new types with minute changes, this can be seen as a Pillars (Stambha), result of craftsmanship prevailing at the time at a particular place also the social needs and ruling Hindu Temple, Identity, power were the factors in evolution of the pillars. They were expressions of strength, support, celestial Element, connection and manifestation of arts prevailing at that era. Although they evolved from Sastraic Vijanagar, Mathematical proportions, they displayed greater freedom of design which the Indian wrought in his Distinct, own imaginative way, these pillars still stand today as a source of inspiration, promoting diverse Yali Pillar. studies for designing of pillar in contemporary temples. This paper analyses the Pillars (Stambha) as vital element of the Hindu temple and provides more explanation of ancient literature study on pillars, also the rules and regulations which govern the construction of these marvelous element of temple architecture. Further the paper discusses the Yali [Vyala] Pillars with respect to elements of space making in temples of Vijaynagar era, and how these Yali Pillars when treated with extraordinary ornamentations enhanced, beautified and lender unique character to the structure and identified the temples given impression of strength, stability and reliability. The volume of distinct spaces, movements and visual impact created by these pillars in temples gives an idea of the distinct identity of architecture to create a sense of group identities between those who built and those who inhabited or used these structures, such elements embody not just the earth or stone from which they were built, but the people and experiences involved in their construction, holding special place in human memory giving distinct identity to structures of architecture. Copyright©2017, Ar.Meenal Kumar. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Citation: Ar.Meenal Kumar, 2017. “Pillars [Stambha]– the supportive elements of hindu temples”, International Journal of Current Research, 9, (05), 50101-50107. INTRODUCTION pillar are "engaged", that is to say form part of a wall known as pilasters. The Indian temple architecture has tall, slender, free- A Stambha or Pillar in architecture and structural engineering is standing, beam supporting pillars and pilasters, these are not a structural element that transmits through compression, the well defined as in the western classic architecture, European weight of the structure above to other structural elements architects and visitors accustomed to the Greek and Roman below. In other words, a pillar is a compression member. The types of pillars generally condemn the Indian pillar as being term pillars applies especially to a large round support overloaded with ornament. But fail to see that in Indian (the shaft of the pillar) with a capital and a base or pedestal Temple there is nothing more attractive or more important than and made of stone or appearing to be so. A small wooden or the Stambha or pillars, which by their position and sculpture metal support is typically called a post, and supports with a produce the most marvelous features and hence it becomes rectangular or other non-round section are usually called piers. difficult to classify them as they have multifold relations which “Pillars" refers to such a structural element that also has certain they have carried from one period to another transforming into proportional and decorative features. A pillars might also be a new types with minute changes, this can be seen as a result of decorative element not needed for structural purposes; many craftsmanship prevailing at the time at a particular place also *Corresponding author: Ar.Meenal Kumar the social needs and ruling power were the procurator in Smt M.M.College of Architecture, Nagpur, India. evolution of the pillars. 50102 Ar.Meenal Kumar, Pillars [Stambha]– The supportive elements of hindu temples Indian literature on pillars [STAMBHA] The topmost section of the pillars is the beam and these are the structural beams of temple. Pillars are used at various kinds of buildings, like places, pavilions, auxiliary temples, gates, houses and dwelling of The Bracket (Potikas) lower cast. Indian architecture is attributed to a mythological These are the brackets supporting the beams; they provide person Vishwakarma. The Sutras, Puranas, Agamas contain bearing for the beam and shorten the span between pillars. references to temple architecture and sculpture. The Agamas and Silpa Shastras have laid down elaborate rules as to the Flat Plate (Phalaka) place where temples are to be built, its layout, the kinds of It’s a flat plate between mandi and the bracket. images to be installed, the material with which such images are to be carved, the dimensions and proportions of various kinds Mandi of images and the various rituals to be carried daily after the It is something like a dish, fluted or petal, these bear brackets consecration of the image in the temple. There are several than the beam directly and act as a cushion cover to receive books written exclusively on architecture of which Manasara, imposed loads. Mayamata, Kashyapa Shilpa and Agastya Sakaladhikara are works dedicated to Dravida Style of temple architecture, Head (Ghata) Rupa Mandana, Prasada Mandana Vastu Shastra, Aparajita The capital or head is called as ghata, it is round swollen or Prichchha and Samarangan Sutradhara are works dedicated ornamented type. to Nagara Style of temple architecture . Neck (Tali) Of these the following chapters are dedicated to construction It is a narrow moulding or series of sub mouldings, is like a of pillars: collar around neck which supports the capital, its splayed from can make it small version of phalka or mandi. The Manasara – Chapter XV Pillars (Stambha Lakshana Vidhana) Shoulder (Lasuna) The Mayamata – Chapter M,XV (Pada Pramana The tali sits on the lasuna,it may be springy shape of an Dravya Samgraha) inverted bell, rounded shoulder and a chest type, earlier types Kashyapa Shilpa – Chapeter M,XV (Stambha lasuna seems like two sections of single element, but later the Lakshana) tatli becomes attach to ghata and lasuna evolves around collar. The Shilpa Shastra Of Madana – Chapter 15,16,17 Horizontal Band (Malasthana)/(Mala) The experience of Indian Shilpis has been great and intense in These parts are inseparable, the malasthana is a horizontal respect of making of pillars be it of stone, brick or wood, band a girdle, the mala another band decorated with swags of These pillars form an innate part of the Hindu temple pearls, of some other kind of festoon, as if dangling from the architecture these can be seen mainly in the Pavilions firm belt of malasthana, these two elements are carver from (Mandapas), Corridors around temples, Convinent single projection block, usually cuboids ,but potentially with Colonnades around the Temple Tank. We all get astound only any usual shape of cross-section, these can also be seen in form by the name of temples which consist 1000 pillars (Minakshi of bells. Aman Temple) or the temple of musical pillars (Vithal Temple Hampi), the hanging pillars (Lepakshi Temple) not only this Shaft (Stambha) but the ancient temples in India are one of the marvels of the Below mala comes the shaft which may stand on a base block temple architecture were these pillars are seen not only as most often cuboids, where base block is used the shaft usually supportive elements but also for decorative purpose. is short; it may stand on a moulded base, also used in miniature at the foot of some pilasters. Pillars (stambha) The measurements (proportions) of pillars The opening line itself divides the subject of pillars into different heads namely 2The height of pillars can be measure in two ways:- Basic Parts of Pillars Base As Reference Point The Measurements (Proportions) Of Pillars o When the base is taken as a reference point for the Classifications (Shapes and Ornamentations) length of pillar, than it may be 11/4, 11/2,13/4 or 2 times Materials And Construction the height of the base, in total there are 12 varieties of Placement (Intercolumniation) heights of pillars, for pilasters (wall pillars) it is either Rules And Regulations For Pillars 3,4,5,6 angulas. The diameter of pillar is 2,3,4 times the width of the pilasters. Basic parts of pillar o The height of pillars according to kasyapa may be 3 times of base and 6-8 times that of pedestal.