INDIAN ARCHITECTURE

INDIAN

ARCHITECTURE

Every temple in Bharat is a wonder in itsefl and the world is counting just it’s seven.

INDIAN

ARCHITECTURE

INTRICATE

D DETAILS The intricacy of Indian temples extends beyond mere architectural brilliance; it encompasses a profound blend of art, spirituality, and cultural symbolism. One striking aspect is the detailed craftsmanship evident in the temple sculptures and carvings.

Features

Indian temples are architectural marvels that showcase intricate details and exquisite craftsmanship. One notable feature is the ornate carvings that adorn the temple walls, pillars, and doorways.

These carvings often depict mythological stories, religious symbols, and intricate patterns. Each carving is meticulously crafted, displaying a high level of skill and precision. The detailing extends to the smallest elements, such as the delicate sculptures of deities, celestial beings, and mythological creatures that grace the temple exteriors. The interplay of light and shadow on these carvings adds a dynamic dimension to the overall aesthetic, making Indian temples a feast for the eyes. it shows the talent and skills our ancestors had.

The 66m(217 ft) high pyram- id shaped vimana, over the sanctum, is a 13 storeyed structure. One of the most striking features of the tem- ple is the ‘stupika’ a domeshaped structure cr- owning the last tier of the vimana.

It is carved out of a block of stone that weighs more than 80 tons. The 66m(217 ft) high pyram- id shaped vimana, over the sanctum, is a 13 storeyed structure.

The 66m(217 ft) high pyram- id shaped vimana, over the sanctum, is a 13 storeyed structure. One of the most striking features of the tem- ple is the ‘stupika’ a domeshaped structure cr- owning the last tier of the vimana.

It is carved out of a block of stone that weighs more than 80 tons. The 66m(217 ft) high pyram- id shaped vimana, over the sanctum, is a 13 storeyed structure.

Thanjavur, about 350 km southwest of Chennai, Tamil Location - Nadu

In addition to carvings, the layout and design of Indian temples also reveal intricate planning.

Temples are often built based on principles of sacred geometry and Vastu Shastra, an ancient Indian architectural tradition. The arrangement of courtyards, halls, and sanctums follows a precise order, with each element serving a symbolic or spiritual purpose. The use of mandalas and yantras in temple architecture further reflects a deep understanding of cosmic energies and their influence on the spiritual experience of the devotees. These meticulous details not only contribute to the visual splendor of the temples but also enhance the spiritual significance of these sacred spaces.

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INDIAN

ARCHITECTURE

Architecture is a visual art, and the buildings speak for themselves. ~Julia Morgan Road

The Sun Temple in Odisha, India, is one of the most famous and well-preserved temples dedicated to the Hindu sun god, Surya.

Officially known as the Konark Sun Temple, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is renowned for its impressive architecture and intricate sculptures.The temple is built in the Kalinga style of architecture, which is a distinctive regional style prevalent in the eastern part of India. The Kalinga style is known for its emphasis on intricate carvings and richly decorated sculptures.

Designed in the distinctive Kalinga style, the temple takes the form of a colossal chariot dedicated to the sun god Surya. Its main sanctum, now in ruins, was once adorned with intricate carvings and housed the deity. The temple complex includes a Natya Mandapa, Jagamohana, and a pyramidal main tower with 24 wheels, symbolizing the solar calendar.

The exterior walls feature detailed sculptures portraying diverse aspects of life and mythology. Despite the ravages of time, the Sun Temple remains an emblem of ancient Indian-craftsmanship & cultural significance, attracting visitors with its unique architectural form and historical resonance.The temple is also known for its unique magnetism. The main tower was once crowned with a magnificent, now lost, iron shikara (spire) that was said to have acted as a colossal magnetic needle.

Location - Konark Sun Temple, Odisha

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INDIAN

ARCHITECTURE

BRIHADESHWA TEMPLE

Vimana

The 66m(217 ft) high pyram- id shaped vimana, over the sanctum, is a 13 storeyed structure. One of the most striking features of the tem- ple is the ‘stupika’ a domeshaped structure cr- owning the last tier of the vimana. It is carved out of a block of stone that weighs more than 80 tons.

Thanjavur, about 350 km southwest of Chennai, Tamil Location - Nadu

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The mystery of 80 ton stone This monumental granite temple, the finest example of chola architecture, is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Completed in AD 1010 and dedicated to shiva, it was built by Rajaraja Chola as a symbol of the unrivalled power and might of the Cholas. the temple basement is covered with inscriptions that give details of the temple’s administration and revenue, and provided valuable historical information on chola society and government.

Built using granite, the vimana tower above the shrine is one of the tallest in South India. The temple has a massive colonnaded prakara (corridor) and one of the largest Shiva lingasin India. It is also famed for the quality of its sculpture, as well as being the location that commissioned the brass Natraja, Shiva as the lord of dance, in the 11th century. The complex includes shrines for Nandi, Parvati, Murugan, Ganesha, Sabhapati, Dakshinmurti, Chandeshwara, Varahi, Thiyagarajar of Thiruvarur, Siddhar, Karuvurar and others. The temple is one of the most visited tourist attractions in Tamil Nadu.Rajaraja Chola, who commissioned the temple, called it Rajarajeshvaram, literally "the temple of the god of Rajaraja". A later inscription in the Brihannayaki shrine calls the temple's deity Periya Udaiya Nayanar. The temple was damaged in its history and some artwork is now missing.

The precise methods used by the Cholas to lift such heavy granite blocks to a height of 216 feet are not known for certain, as there are no surviving records that describe the construction techniques used. However, it is believed that they used a combination of ramps, pulleys, and levers to move and lift the massive granite blocks into place.One theory suggests that the Cholas may have used inclined planes made of mud and wooden frames to transport the blocks to the construction site. These inclined planes would have been gradually elevated as the blocks were moved closer to the gopuram, allowing the blocks to be lifted higher and higher. Once the blocks reached the desired height, they would have been put in place using pulleys and levers.

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INDIAN

ARCHITECTURE

CORRIDOR OF GRACE

Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai, Tamil

Location - Nadu

Corridors

The corridors of Indian temples stand as sublime testimonies to the country's rich architectural heritage, capturing the essence of spiritual and artistic expression. These sacred passageways, often known as 'pradakshina patha' or circumambulatory paths, encircle the main sanctum of the temple and serve as a significant part of the overall temple design. One of the most captivating aspects of these corridors is their architectural grandeur, adorned with intricately carved pillars, , exquisite sculptures, and detailed reliefs.

Furthermore, the beauty of these temple corridors lies not only in their visual splendor but also in their spiritual significance. Pilgrims often engage in the age-old-tradition of pradakshina circumambulating the main deity as a form of ritualistic worship. The rhythmic footsteps along the corridors create a meditative ambiance, fostering a deep sense of devotion and tranquility. The corridors, with their sacred geometry and architectural brilliance, provide a serene space for introspection and communion with the divine.

The marvel of Indian temple corridors also extends to their functional aspects. Serving as transitional spaces between the outer world and the sanctum sanctorum, these passageways are designed to regulate and channel the flow of devotees. The play of light and shadow, the intricate lattice work, and the symmetrical layout contribute to a harmonious architectural composition. The corridors, with their ability to seamlessly blend aesthetics and functionality, enhance the overall sacred atmosphere of the temple, creating an enduring legacy of beauty that transcends generations.

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INDIAN

ARCHITECTURE

MYSTIC

P I LLARS Attributes

Indian

pillars,

an

integral

element

of

the

country's

architectural heritage, stand as timeless marvels that showcase

the

exquisite

craftsmanship

and

artistic

prowess of ancient builders. These pillars, often found in temples,

palaces,

celebrated

and

for

significance,

other

their

and

historical

intricate

structural

structures,

designs,

ingenuity.

are

symbolic

One

of

the

remarkable features of Indian pillars is the diversity in their

styles,

reflecting

the

regional

variations

in

architectural traditions across the vast subcontinent.

Built using granite, the vimana tower above the shrine is one of the tallest in South India. The temple has a massive colonnaded prakara (corridor) and one of the largest

Shiva

lingasin

India.

It

is

also

famed

for

the

quality of its sculpture, as well as being the location that commissioned the brass Natraja, Shiva as the lord of

dance,

shrines

in

the

for

Sabhapati,

century.

The

of

attractions

in

commissioned

is

one

Tamil the

complex

Murugan,

includes Ganesha,

Chandeshwara,

Thiruvarur,

temple

The

Parvati,

Dakshinmurti,

Thiyagarajar others.

11th

Nandi,

Siddhar,

of

the

most

visited

Nadu.Rajaraja

temple,

called

it

Varahi,

Karuvurar

and

tourist

Chola,

who

Rajarajeshvaram,

literally

Beauty

The beauty of Indian pillars lies in

moreover,

the detailed carvings that adorn

embedded in Indian pillars adds

them.

another layer of beauty to their

Intricately

depictions

sculpted

of

deities,

mythological

stories,

and

and

create

a

fauna

narrative

that

the

or

stone

breathes

metal.

The

flora visual

life

into

level

of

design.

the

The

symbolism

motifs

and

figures

carved onto the pillars often carry profound

meanings

rooted

in

religious or philosophical beliefs.

For

example,

the

lotus

motif

precision and artistry displayed in

symbolizes

purity

and

these

enlightenment,

while

mythical makara

with

carvings each

is

story

creatures

like

the

that transcends time. Whether in

represent

the

blending

the

different

elements.

form

pillar

awe-inspiring,

of

telling

a

the

famed

The

of

pillars,

Yavanasika or the ornate pillars

with

of ancient temples in Khajuraho

serve as visual conduits to deeper

which displays the skill and

spiritual and cultural dimensions,

their

symbolic

language,

Vitthala Temple,

Location - Hampi, Tamil Nadu

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INDIAN

ARCHITECTURE

INDIAN

ARCHITECTURE