Evolution of Indian Temple Architecture
Indian Temple
Presented by: Ar. Hiba Gul
INDIAN
TEMPLE
ARCHITECTURE
Temple
Architecture
of
India
•
The Hindu
temple
architecture
developed
over two thousand
years.
•
The architectural
evolution of the
indian
temples
took
place within the rigid
frameworks derived
entirely from
religious
thoughtfulness.
•
Therefore the architect
was
bound
to keep to
the ancient
primary
dimensions and
strict
configurations,
which
remained
unaltered
over the period of
time.
•
The architect and
sculptor were given
a
plenty of freedom in
the ornamentation
and decoration
of the
temples.
•
This resulted in an
overwhelming riches
of architectural
elements, sculptural
forms
and decorative
ebullience that is
the
characteristic feature
of Indian
temple
architecture has few
analogues in
the
aesthetic
manifestation of the
whole
world.
The distinct architectural styles of temple construction of
the north India and the south India
was
the result of
the
broad geographical,
climatic,
ethnic, racial, historical
and linguistic
differences
resulted,
from
early on,
in.
The
Vastu
Shastras, the ancient canonical texts on
architecture,
classify
temples into three
different
orders:
the
Nagara or the Indo-Aryan or Northern
style
,
the
Dravida or the Southern style
and
the
Vesara
or Mixed style of
temple
architecture
.
There are also definite regional styles in peripheral
areas
like Bengal, Kerala and the
Himalayan
areas.
•
In the early
years,
when
the
temple
building
had just
begun,
the
shape of their superstructures
can
distinguish the two
styles.
•
The
most
significant
difference
between the later northern and
southern
styles
are the
gateways
.
•
The
shikhara
in the north Indian
temples
remained the
most
prominent component of the temple and the gateway was ordinarily
unassuming.
•
In the south Indian temples, the enclosure walls were built around
the whole
complex.
•
Elaborate and often magnificent gateways called
gopurams
were
ideally set along the
east-west and
north-south
ax
es of these
walls, which led the devotees into the sacred
courtyard.
Examples
The best examples of the north Indian style of temple
architecture are the
•
Khajuraho Group of temples
•
Sun temple,
Konark,
Surya
templ
e
The finest examples of Dravidian style are temples of
•
Tanjore,
Madurai,
•
Mahabalipuram,
•
Badami, Pattadakal
•
Kanchipuram.
Parts of a
Hindu
temple
•
Garbha-griha
, which contains the
main
deity of
the
temple.
It has a tower called a
vimana
over
it.
•
The
ardha-mandapa
and
maha-mandapa
are in
front
of
the garbha-griha (inner
sanctum).
•
The
gopurams
are entrance
towers.
•
The veranda next to the inside walls of the
pradakshina
path.
•
Tanks
and wells, which are either sacred or for
bathing
purposes.
•
Subsidiary deities and shrines dedicated to
minor
gods.
North-Central
Indian temples
of
Khajuraho
The temples at Khajuraho, built
by the Chandella rulers
at
the pinnacle of the
Nagari
architectural style.
900 AD to
1100
AD
The Nagari style has several
distinct features, all of which
are clearly manifested in the
temples at Khajuraho.
Panchayantana
Temple
•
Five shrined complex – Main shrine at the
centre and four subsidiary shrines on the
four
corners of the
large
platform.
Architectural Features
-Khajuraho
•
1000
AD
•
High
terraces
•
Flight of
steps
– 10 to 12
ft
•
Unity of
composition
•
Cella, mandapa
and the
entrance vestibule are the
parts of a harmonious
whole
•
Shikharas –
Architectural
ma
s
terpieces
•
Vertical
axis
•
Top
piece –
Amalaka
or
capstone in perfect rhythm
with the curvilinear outline
of
the
shikhara
•
Kalasa on
top
Kandariya Mahadeva
Temple,
Khajuraho
Kandariya Mahadeva
Temple,
Khajuraho
•
Largest
and loftiest in the
Khajuraho
group
•
109t X
60ft
•
Height of it shikhara is
116ft
6
inches
•
Mandapa size – 25 ft X 25
ft
•
No enclosure
walls
•
Erected on platform (Jagatis)
which are
large
enough to
perform
pradhakshina
•
Garbhagriha, antharala,
mahamandapa, mandapa and
arthamandapa
present
The Hindu temple architecture in India evolved over two thousand years, rooted in religious thoughtfulness. The architectural styles differ between North and South India due to geographical, climatic, and historical variations, resulting in distinct features like shikharas in the North and gopurams in the South. The freedom given to architects and sculptors led to rich ornamentation and decorative elements, making Indian temple architecture unique worldwide.
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Presentation Transcript
Temple Architectureof India The Hindu temple architecturedeveloped over two thousand years. The architectural evolution of the indian temples took place within the rigid frameworks derived entirely fromreligious thoughtfulness. Therefore the architect was bound to keep to the ancient primary dimensions and strict configurations, which remained unaltered over the period oftime.
The architect and sculptor were given a plenty of freedom in the ornamentation and decoration of the temples. This resulted in an overwhelming riches of architectural elements, sculptural forms and decorative ebullience that is the characteristic feature of Indian temple architecture has few analogues in the aesthetic manifestation of the whole world.
The distinct architectural styles of temple construction of the north India and the south India was the result ofthe broad geographical, climatic, ethnic, racial, historical and linguistic differences resulted, from early on, in. The Vastu Shastras, the ancient canonical texts on architecture, classify temples into three different orders: the Nagara or the Indo-Aryan or Northern style, the Dravida or the Southern style and the Vesara or Mixed style of temple architecture. There are also definite regional styles in peripheralareas like Bengal, Kerala and the Himalayan areas.
In the early years, when the temple building had just begun, the shape of their superstructures can distinguish the two styles. The most significant difference between the later northern and southern styles are the gateways. The shikhara in the north Indian temples remained the most prominent component of the temple and the gateway was ordinarily unassuming. In the south Indian temples, the enclosure walls were built around the whole complex. Elaborate and often magnificent gateways called gopurams were ideally set along the east-west and north-south axes of these walls, which led the devotees into the sacred courtyard.
Examples The best examples of the north Indian style of temple architecture are the Khajuraho Group of temples Sun temple, Konark, Suryatemple The finest examples of Dravidian style are temples of Tanjore, Madurai, Mahabalipuram, Badami, Pattadakal Kanchipuram.
Parts of a Hindu temple Garbha-griha, which contains the main deity of the temple. It has a tower called a vimana over it. The ardha-mandapa and maha-mandapa are in front of the garbha-griha (inner sanctum). The gopurams are entrance towers. The veranda next to the inside walls of the pradakshina path. Tanks and wells, which are either sacred or for bathing purposes. Subsidiary deities and shrines dedicated to minorgods.
North-Central Indian temples of Khajuraho The temples at Khajuraho, built by the Chandella rulers at the pinnacle of the Nagari architectural style. 900 AD to 1100AD The Nagari style has several distinct features, all of which are clearly manifested in the temples at Khajuraho.
PanchayantanaTemple Five shrined complex Main shrine at the centre and four subsidiary shrines on the four corners of the large platform.
Architectural Features -Khajuraho 1000AD High terraces Flight of steps 10 to 12ft Unity of composition Cella, mandapa and the entrance vestibule are the parts of a harmoniouswhole Shikharas Architectural masterpieces Vertical axis Top piece Amalaka or capstone in perfect rhythm with the curvilinear outlineof the shikhara Kalasa on top
Kandariya Mahadeva Temple,Khajuraho Largest and loftiest in the Khajuraho group 109t X 60ft Height of it shikhara is 116ft 6 inches Mandapa size 25 ft X 25 ft No enclosure walls Erected on platform (Jagatis) which are large enough to perform pradhakshina Garbhagriha, antharala, mahamandapa, mandapa and arthamandapa present
