ELEMENTS OF INDIAN TEMPLES Part 7 of the (original) (raw)

Plan: The earliest architecture in India is that of cottage type. It is a circular, bottle or dome shaped. Mud and Bamboo sticks were used for construction. In the course of evolution number of plans were incorporated in the temple architecture, such as circular plan, square, rectangular, elliptical, upsidal, stellar, etc. A text like Manasara mentions 32 types of square plans 1. Plan is essential for any structural temple. Plans of the temples depend upon the number of components that existed within the temple. The simplest plan of the temple consists of a garbhagriha and sabhamandapa or porch. This simple plan does not imply that the structure belonged to the earliest period. The temples constructed in the later period also have simple plans. Construction of a temple depends upon the financial position of the builder. When an antarala is added in-between garbhagriha and mandapa, then the plan of the temple hecomes little larger. When a pradakshinapatha (circumambulatory path) is added to garbhagriha and antarala, the plan of the temple becomes wider. Then it is called as Sandhara' temple. In the course of time, number of components of the, temple increased like mandapas, shrines for subsidiary deities; priikaras, etc, and the plan of the temple became large and wider. Mandala: With the arrival of Agamas in Hindu religion, the details of architecture became more sophisticated in the temple and reflected the fundamental symbolism of Mandalas. The Yoga Tattva Upanishad speaks about the symbolism in terms of the five fundamental elements that constitute the material basis of the entire cosmos. Earth elements are represented by' a 'Square', Water with a 'semicircle', fire by a 'Triangle', air by a 'six-angled figure' and ether (sky) by a circle. The point without dimension dot (bindu) is the focus of all energy. The icon in the sanctum occupies the central position and the temple represents the other necessary forms. The architectural details of a sophisticated temple reflect this fundamental symbolism. The above five forms are represented in a Mandala known as Vishva-Karma Mandala,' which is regarded as fundamental to all temple architecture 3. The four sides of the Mandala symbolize the four main directions and the corners of the square represents four mid-directions and each of the eight quarters is presided over by a deity. The inner circle symbolizes the 'Creator' (Brahma), which is symbolic of activity, guarded by the eight directions. The Mandala is symbolic of the entire universe. The 'allmaker' (Creator) is also the progenitor. The whole mass of scripture, consisting of manuals of architecture, sculpture and painting collectively are known as Agama. Early temples were reputed to be built by this All-maker. In early days, this vertical emphasis was laid on only one tier (prathama tala). Later, number of tiers (talas) were added to this superstructure. It was believed that the entire area, which the vimana or sikhara overlooked was rendered holy and the area covered by this sikhara, would be prosperous. Superstructures of temples of Kalinga type are simple Journal of the Indo Nordic Author's Collective with series of receding courses forming stepped pyramids. Another type of superstructure that is of storyed type contains several talas (storeys).) Texts like Vishnu Tilaka, Manasara, Mukutaganta, Silparatna, layamata and Isana Shivaguru Paddhati and Bhave Prakasana give broad account of sikhara features such as Nagara, Dravida and Vesara. In addition to these Nagara, Dravida and Vesara type sikharas, Vishnu Mn Ira and Markhandcya Samhita grouped the temples into nine and added six more types such as Sarvadesika, Kalinga, Varata, Mandira, Bhavana and .yoga. But Silvaprasna and liana Shivaguru Paddhati referred only three classifications, Nagar. Dravida and Vesara Nagara: Actually means squarish, cruciform in plan and its sikhara has a vertical emphasis. Vesara: Circularly emphasized horizontal aspect shape, like domical or octagonal or in the shape of vaulted roof. Another feature is storeyed towers and tall gopuras. It is a combination of Dravida and Nagara style of Sikhara features. Dravida-Polygonal or octagnal (six or eight sided): It is circular in plan or apsidal. General conception is that Nagara type of temples prevails in the land between the Himalayas and Vindhya ranges. Vesara type of temples exists inbetween Vindhya ranges and Krishna river and Dravida type of temples prevails inbetween River Krishna and Kanyakumari'7. The term sikhara meaning 'Mountain peak' may indicate that it signified 'Meru' meaning mountain or Kai lasa , , so tall and sacred place of Shiva. The North Indian vimana or Sikhara is crowned by a large circular (Wheel shaped) capstone block known as 'amalaka' (ribbed disc resembling an amalaka fruit, Emblic Myrobalan), while its South Indian counterpart ends in a cupola (Srnga) or Wagon roof (khakra).