Elements of hindu temple

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1. ELEMENTS OF HINDU TEMPLE G.LAHARI DEEPTHI 319106101007 2/5 B.ARCH

2. INTRODUCTION: Hindu temple architecture as the main form of Hindu architecture has many varieties of styles the form and meanings of architectural elements in a Hindu temples are designed to function as the place Hindu temple architecture was a gradual evolution starting from rock cut cave temples to monolithic rather which finally culminated in structural temples . North I ndian temples are classified as Nagara style and S outh Indian temples are classified as Dravidian style.

3. The basic form of a Hindu structural temple consists of the following; 1.Garbhagriha 2.Mandapa 3.Shikara/ Vimana 4.Amalaka 5.kalasa 6.Antarala 7.Jagati 8.Vahana

4. 1. Garbhagriha : It literally means ‘womb-house’ and is a cave like a sanctum. In the earliest temples, it was a small cubical structure with a single entrance. Later it grew into a larger complex. The Garbhagriha is made to house the main icon which is itself the focus of much ritual attention.

5. 2. Mandapa : It is the entrance to the temple. It may be a portico or colonnaded (series of columns placed at regular intervals) hall that incorporates space for a large number of worshippers. Dances and such other entertainments are practiced here. Some temples have multiple mandapas in different sizes named as Ardhamandapa , Mandapa , and Mahamandapa .

6. 3. Shikhara / vimana : They are mountain like the spire of a free-standing temple. Shikhara is found in North Indian temples and Vimana is found in South Indian temples. Shikhara has a curving shape while vimana has a pyramidal-like structure.

7. 4. Amalaka : It is common in North Indian temples. An amalaka , is a segmented or notched stone disk, usually with ridges on the rim, that sits on the top of a Hindu temple's shikhara or main tower. According to one interpretation, the amalaka represents a lotus, and thus the symbolic seat for the deity below.   

8. 5.Kalasha : It is the topmost point of the temple and commonly seen in north Indian temples . Hindu temples typically have  Kalasam  at the top of temple towers. These  Kalasam s in the form of inverted pot, with pointed head facing the sky, is one of the prominent symbol of temples. Periodic renewal of temple is called  Samprokshanam  or  Kumbhabishekam  (held as a festival) centers around  Kalasam s , when elaborate rituals are performed along with renewing the temple's physical structures. Most Kalasams are made of metal and some of stone. View of  Gopuram  (temple tower) is one of the important rituals of Hindu worship along with view of  Dwajasthambam  or  Kodimaram  (temple flag mast). These  Gopuram s were topped with ornamental  Kalasam s .

9. 6. Antarala : Antarala is a transition area or a small antechamber between the Garbhagriha and temple’s main hall mandapa . Antarala are commonly seen in chaukya style temples  in which the ' Vimana ' and the ' Mandapa ' are connected through the ' Antarala '

10. 7. Jagati : In  Hindu temple architecture , the  jagati  is the raised surface of the platform or terrace upon which some  Buddhist  or  Hindu temples  are built. This feature is seen in temples such as the temples of  Khajuraho . It is often not seen in temples enclosed by walls. The jagati also allows for ritual  circumambulation , i.e. the walking of devotees around the shrine, which is important in both Buddhism and Hinduism. In some large temples, this circumambulation is also possible inside the temple along a walled passage around the shrine sanctum named  pradakshina .  

11. 8. Vahana : Vahana   denotes the being, typically an animal or mythical entity, a particular Hindu deity is said to use as a vehicle. In this capacity, the vahana is often called the deity's "mount. Deities are often depicted riding (or simply mounted upon) the vahana . Other times, the vahana is depicted at the deity's side or symbolically represented as a divine attribute. The vahana may be considered an  accoutrement of the deity: though the vahana may act independently, they are still functionally emblematic or even  syntagmatic of their "rider". The deity may be seen sitting or standing on the vahana . They may be sitting on a small platform called a  howdah , or riding on a saddle or bareback. Vah ana in   Sanskrit  means  to ride along the land .

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