Temple Architecture

Temple Architecture The temple architecture in India developed over thousands of years & its architectural evolution took place within the boundaries of strict models derived solely from religious considerations. The broad geographical diversity, cultural, racial, historical & linguistic differences between the northern plains & the Southern peninsula of India resulted in district architectural styles. The Basic form of the Hindu Temple 1) A cave like Sanctum which is known as ‘Garbhagriha’. This is a place made to house the main icon of the temple 2) The entrance is through a doorway which is reached through a mandapa. This ‘Mandapa’ is like pillared hall that incorporates space for a large number of worshippers. 3) Upper & outer pyramidal or mountain like spire of temple is known as ‘Shikhara’ in North India and ‘Vimana’ in South India. 4) The Vahan – which is placed axially before sanctum. Vahan is the mount or vehicle of the temple’s main deity. 5) Sometimes Mandapa leads up to a hall, which in turn goes into a Maha Mandapa where devotees congregate for prayers. The Indian temple architecture classify temples into 3, different styles as follows 1) The Nagara or ‘Northern Style’ , 2) The Dravida or ‘Southern Style’ , 3) The Vesara or ‘Hybrid Style’ The Nagara or Northern Style temple architecture: • It is characterized by a ‘beehive’ shaped tower • This style of temple architecture was popular in Northern India • Depending on the shapes of the Shikhara there are different subdivisions of Nagara temples. The most common name for the simple Shikhara is ‘Latina’ or ‘Rekhprasada’ type of Shikhara. This type of Shikhara which shows square at the base and curve walls, slope inward to a point on top • Phamsana buildings are the important architectural form in the Nagara Order. Phamsana buildings tend to be broader & shorter than Latina type architecture. • In Phamsana type, roofs are composed of several slabs that gently rise to a single point over the centre of the building. • Phamsana roofs do not curve inward; instead they slop upwards on a straight incline. • Phamsana design is used for the Nandapaj & Latina design is used for the garbhagriha at the North Indian temples. • Valabhi type is also main sub type of the Nagara building. These are rectangular buildings with a roof that rises into a vaulted chamber • River goddesses are usually found at the entrance of a Garbhagriha in a Nagara temple The Dravida or South Indian Temple: • It consists primarily of pyramid shaped temples, shape of the main temple tower known as Vimana in Tamil Nadu. • The crowing element at the top of the temple is known as ‘Shikhara’ which is equivalent to the GS I - Culture / 33 amlak and Kalasha of North Indian temples. • At the entrance to the South Indian temples we will find sculptures of dvarpalas or the door keepers guarding the temple. • Large water reservoir or temple tank is enclosed within the temple • The front wall of the south India temple has an entrance gateway in its centre, which is known as a ‘Gopuram’ • As there are many subdivisions of Nagara temples, there are subdivisions of dravida temples based on five different shapes dravida temples are as follows: 1) Square shaped – known as Kuta & Caturasa 2) Rectangular shaped – known as shala or ayatasra. 3) Elipitical shaped – Gaja – Prishta or Vrittayata 4) Octangal Shaped – Lenown as ashtasra • Various kingdoms & empires such as the Cholas, Chera, Pandyas, Pallavas, Chalukyas, Rashtrakutas, Hoysalas, Vijaynagar Empire have made an important contribution to the evolution of Dravidian architecture. The Vesara or ‘Hybrid Style’ Either nagara or dravida,a hybridised style that seems to have become popular after the mid- seventh century, is known in some ancient texts as vesara. The early western Chalukyas ruled most of the Deccan till the mid-eighth century when they were superseded by the Rashtrakutas The hybridisation and incorporation of several styles was the hallmark of Chalukyan buildings. The most elaborate of all Chalukyan temples at Pattadakal made in the reign of Vikramaditya II (733-44) by his chief queen Loka Mahadevi. Dravida Vesara Temples called PRASADA ---------- Combination of Dravida and Nagara (Chalukyas). Shikhara is curvilinear Shikhara pyramidal ---------- No role of pillar Pillar important ---------- No tank Tank may be there ---------- No enclosure Enclosure and gopuram ---------- Mahadeva Temple Brihadeshwara Eg Some in Khajuraho,Sirpur etc 34 / Chanakya Mandal Pariwar - UPSC Mains Reference Book Indo – Islamic Architecture Islamic rule in India had introduced new elements into the Indian architecture.Important aspects of Muslim migrations & conquests was that Muslims absorbed many features of local cultures and traditions & combined them to form new architectural practices, known as ‘Saracenic’/Indo Islamic architecture. Thus Indian architecture took new shape with various elements introduced by Islamic rule that includes:- 1) Inscriptional art using calligraphy 2) Use of colored marble 3) Painted plaster 4) Use of glazed tiles 5) The arcuate form of construction ie. Style of architecture was based on arches, vaults and domes. 6) The miner & minaret style The last decade of the 12th century AD evolved with a synthesis & fusion of Muslim & Hindu traditions in India. The modes of prayer and the rituals of the Muslims differed from Hindu traditions, so that the concept of architecture was different, for example- The Muslims under their religious traditions avoided representation of living beings, thus their decoration taking the form of flat surface ornament depicting geometrical & floral patterns. Indo – Islamic architecture is divided into two types as follows: 1) Religious architecture – mosques for daily prayers, Tombs, darghs, hammams etc. 2) Secular Islamic architecture – gardens, madarsas, forts, minars etc. There are two phases of Indo-Islamic architecture:- 1) The Pathan Phase starts with 1206 C. to 1550 AD which ends with Sher Shah Suri dynasty. 2) The Mughal Phase: - Which begins with Akbar & ends with Aurangzeb. The Mughal phase at Indo-Islamic architecture which can be called a “Universal Indian Style of Islamic Architecture”. Different styles of Indo-Islamic architecture 1) The Imperial style – It is the style of Delhi Sultanate 2) The provincial style – observed at Nandu, Gujrat, Bengal, Jaunpur 3) The Mughal style – observed at Delhi, Agra, Lahore 4) The Deccani style – which is observed in Bijapur, Golconda 1) The Delhi Style of Architecture: • It is also known as the imperial style of Indo Islamic architecture GS I - Culture / 35 • Flourished between 1191-1557 AD under the Muslim dynasties of Khilji, Tughlaq, Sayyid & Lodi • Earliest construction work of this period was begun by Qutubuddin Aibak. Construction of Qutub Minar, Adhai-din ka-Jhonpra located near the Ajmer darga in Rajastan. Qutub Minar: • Minar is the form of tower/stambha. • Every day use of the minar was for the azaan or for the prayer • The Qutub Minar founded in the 13th century by Qutubud-Din Aibak, completed by Iltumish and subsequently repaired by Firuz Tughlaq and Sikandar lodi. • It is placed near Quwwatul Mosqne in Delhi • Built of buff and red sandstone • It is characterized by highly decorated balconies calligraphic inscriptions its symmetry and ornament. Chand Minar: • It is built in the 15th century located at Daullatabad • It was the combined handiwork of local architects with those from Delhi & Iran Tombs : • It is a monumental structure over graves of rulers. • According to Anthony Welch, the idea behind the tomb was eternal paradise as a reward for the true believer on the Day of Judgment. • The tomb of Hazarat Nizamuddin Aulia at Delhi is the best example of a mosque constructed wholly in accordance with Islamic Principles. Sarais : • Sarais were built on a simple square or rectangular plan, for the purpose to provide temporary accommodation to Indian & foreign travelers, pilgrims, merchant, traders etc. • These were in Public domains, where people of varied cultural backgrounds came together which resulted in cross – cultural interactions. Taj Mahal : • Design of the Taj Mahal was modeled on Humayan’s Tomb which was an outstanding example in the development of the Mughal style of architecture. • It was built in Agra by Shah Jahan as a mausoleum for his wife Mumtaz Mahal • It was designed by a Persian Ustad Isa & took 14 years to complete which is the world famous example of Mughal architecture in medieval India. • Marble used is highly susceptible to the slightest changes in the light. • An ornamental garden, long rows of cypresses, water courses with fountains elevated lotus pool adds beauty in architectural harmony of Taj Mahal. • The Taj Mahal obtained principal enrichment by highly expert treatment of the screens, pietra dura ornamentation, arabesques, scroll work and floral designs. 36 / Chanakya Mandal Pariwar - UPSC Mains Reference Book.

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