Much of Indian architecture, including the Taj Mahal, other
works of Mughal architecture, and South Indian architecture, blends ancient
local traditions with imported styles. Vernacular architecture is also highly
regional in it flavours. Vastu shastra,
literally meaning the "science of construction" or
"architecture" and ascribed to Mamuni Mayan, explores how the laws of
nature affect human dwellings; it employs precise geometry and directional
alignments to reflect perceived cosmic constructs.
India's temple architecture is developed from the creativity
of Sthapathis and Shilpis, both of whom belong to the larger community of
craftsmen and artisans. The temple is a representation of the the universe as
well as the the inner space. A Hindu
temple consists of an inner sanctum, in
which the idol or deity is housed, often called circumambulation. At the turn
of the first millennium , two major types of temples existed, the northern or
Nagara style and the southern or Dravida type of temple. They are
distinguishable by the shape and decoration of their shikhara or the rising
tower of a Hindu temple. In the Nagara style, the tower/shikhar is
beehive/curvilinear shaped and in the Dravida style, the tower/shikhar consists
of progressively smaller storeys of pavilions. Another complex style termed
Vesara, once common in Karnataka, is a
combination of the two styles.
In design/plan of a temple, several parts of Temple
architecture are considered, most common amongst these are:
- Jagati, a term used to refer a raised surface, platform or terrace upon which the temple is placed.
- Antarala is a small antichamber or foyer between the garbhagriha/ garbha graha (shrine) and the mandapa, more typical of north Indian temples.
- Mandapa is a term to refer to pillared outdoor hall or pavilion for public rituals.
- Sreekovil or Garbhagriha the part in which the idol of the deity in a Hindu temple is installed i.e.Sanctum sanctorum.
- Śikhara or Vimanam literally means "mountain peak", refer to the rising tower over the sanctum sanctorum where the presiding deity is enshrined is the most prominent and visible part of a Hindu temples.
- Gopurams are the elaborate gateway-towers of south Indian temples, not to be confused with Shikharas.
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