TEMPLE ARCHITECTURE

PART -I

INTRODUCTION OF TEMPLE

Every religion needs a place where people may fulfill their religious desires.
In Islam, as Muslims we have Masjids where they offer prayers.
The Christian have churches.
In the same manner temple is the sign of Hinduism.
Temple is derived from a Latin word TEMPLUM, which means a sacred enclosed area which is made sacred by the
presence of deity or any holy symbol.
Temple is a place where people use to worship.
The Indian thought that it is a dwelling place of the gods.
The temples were used for congregational worship as well as individual worship.
The art of temple architecture reached its climax during the Gupta period.
The essential part in the temple is rectangular cell containing the symbol or image of the god. Such plain cell
constitutes the simple form of the temple.
The temple took its origin as a single cell.
But later on with the passage of time numerous other parts were added, as need of the time.
The roof and building also to rise skyward and a shape of tower or spire were rising above the apical end of the
structure.
It was known as Shikara.
According to some scholars it is especially north Indian development and it becomes more and more prominent of
the Gupta and later periods.
The temple came in existence earliest in 2nd century AD in the simplest form and then purred certain evolutionary
stages.

CONCEPT OF TEMPLE

1. VEDIC BACKGROUND

During
Vedic
time,
Aryans worshipped the
phenomenal gods like
air, sun, moon, storm,
river, fire and nature.
These are the body less
items which cannot be
existed in a body, this
is why Aryans did not
sculpted
but
they
offered sacrifices and
also used to worship
light, flames and fire in
Agnisala.

2.HELIODORUS PILLAR

This
pillar
was
erected by Heliodors
during 2nd century
BC.
He
bears
the
inscriptional
record
which also mentioned
god Vishnu.
From 6th century BC
till 2nd century BC,
there was only open
air worship of such
gods.

GRADUAL DEVELOPMENT
The slow and gradual development of
Mahayanism to Hinduism is another
evidence responsible for the erection
of
temple
because
Mahayana
produced
figural
representations
which needed sacred places for
worship.

EVOLUTION OF TEMPLE
In the early ages temples were not
constructed but only huts were
provided which later on got some
evolution till it became a solid
structure.

EVOLUTION OF INDIAN TEMPLE

ARCHITECTURE
Indian temples have been a source of attraction, not
only as a place of worship for the devout, but also as
an architectural marvel for the curious tourist. Indian
temples with its imposing towers, intricate carvings
and awe inspiring size were in fact the result of a
gradual evolution over time.
In the Vedic period (1500 to 500 BC) there were
actually no temples as such.
They propitiated the Gods by performing yagas using
sacrificial altars. Details of how such altars may be
constructed where meticulously mentioned in The
SULVASUTRA (literally meaning the rules of the cord).
These YAGASALAS later got transformed to temples.

EVOLUTION OF INDIAN TEMPLE

ARCHITECTURE
Earliest temples were made of timber and clay, and
though they were later replaced by the more enduring
granite, there are still temples in Kerala and Dakshina
Karnataka made with timber and which has withstood
the ravages of time.
Cave temples which are found in profusion particularly
in Central India, were a later innovation.
Though the basic temple patterns are the same, temple
styles fall into two categories. North Indian style
calledNAGARAand southern style called DRAVIDIAN.
There is a derivative of the above two styles which is
calledVESARA.

1. TEMPLES BEFORE 2ND

CENTURY BC

The Aryans constructed

temples in timber which
were very simple, after
than they might use
huts to shelter the
simple structure of the
temple.
Temples were adopted
in open air, than in
perishable
material,
than in rough material
and later on solid and
intact
material
was
provided
after
2nd
century BC.

2. EARLY TEMPLES

In early ages during

the
inclination
towards
Brahmanism,
the
Hindu gods needed a
place for exhibition.
They thus provided
simple solid structure
to shelter the sacred
places for worship.
These consist of a
Garbagriha.

3. SANCHI TEMPLE NUMBER

17
This temple is the earliest example of
Gupta time which is built in solid stone
blocks. It comprises of a Mandapa and
Garbagriha with flat roof.
After this stage the rituals became
more complex.
So it required more deities and
sculptures because of which the
temple became larger in size with
more elements.

CHARACTERISTICS OF
TEMPLE
OR
PARTS OF TEMPLE

1. GARBAGRIHA
It is the main
sacred cell where
deities and images
are
placed
for
worship. It is also
called sanctum and
womb house.

2. MANDAPA
It is a hall, porch
and waiting room
provided in front of
Garbagriha.

3. ANTRALA
It is a hall, corridor
and porch which
connect
the
Garbagriha
with
Mandapa.

4. MAHA MANDAPA
It is a large hall which consists of pillars. It
is also called large Mandapa.

5. BHOGA MANDAPA
It is a hall of
offerings which is
seen
in
Orissa
temples.

6. KALYANA MANDAPA
It is a marriage hall
which is a later
addition
to
the
temples.

7. NATAMANDIR

It is a hall provided for dancing purposes, found in Orissa temples.

8. PANCARATHA
It is a meditation
cell, smaller in size
and provided at the
corner
of
the
platform
of
a
temple.

9. ARDHA MANDAPA
It is a closed hall
joined with the
main shrine by an
Antrala.

10. VIMANA
All the elemental
features
of
a
temple are called
Vimana.

11. SIKHARA
It is the spire,
curvilinear
and
pyramidal roof on
Garbagriha. It is
diminishing
or
tapering in shape
for height.

12. BHUMI
The Shikara ceiling
were provided
terraces which
tapered upwards is
called Bhumi.

13. KALASA
A pitcher shaped
crowning
feature
on Shikara ceiling
is called Kalasa.

14. ENCLOSURE WALL

The early temples
have no enclosure
wall but it was
provided to the
temples of later
age.

15. INTERNAL
ARRANGEMENTS
Circumambulatory
path was provided
to the later temple.

North Indian
Nagara Style

South Indian
Dravidian Combined Vesara Style
Style

STYLES OF TEMPLE
The different styles of temple
architecture emerged in India.
These are confined to the
northern and southern area of
India.

1. NORTHERN, NAGARA, INDO

ARYAN STYLE
The temples in these
styles appeared in
northern India, from
Himalaya
up
to
Vindhiya.
These have the most
important form of
ceiling in Shikara,
conical or convex
shape with dominant
features.

NAGARA STYLE
NAGARAstyle temples have curvilinear towers as against
DRAVIDIAN temples which have truncated pyramids. The
derivative style VESARA is a combination of both NAGARA and
DRAVIDIANtypeofarchitecture.
NAGARA style temple architecture originated during the Gupta
period (320 -650 AD) and is found mostly in North and Central
India. The temple complexes at TIGAWA (In modern MADHYA
PRADESH),NACHNAinRAJASTHANandDEOGARHinUTTAR
PRADESH are examples of this. The major developments in
templearchitecturewereduringthefollowingperiods.
750 1250ADinOrissa
950 1050ADinCentralIndia
10th to 11thCenturyinRajasthanand
11th to 13thCenturyinGujarat.
Some of temples worth seeing are LINGARAJA temple at
Bhubaneshwar, JAGANNATHA temple in Puri, SURYA temple at
Konarak.

2. SOUTHERN, DRAVIDIAN
STYLE

The temples in these

styles
appeared
in
southern India, spread
from Vindhiya up to
Capcomorin.
These temples have
tower series which are
crowned by Shikara.
These
have
monumental gateways
or doorway complex
with decorative feature
which
is
called
Gopuram.

DRAVIDIAN STYLE
The southern styleDRAVIDIANtemples had its genesis during the age of the
PALLAVASofKanchipuram(600-850AD)andlaterdevelopedbytheCHALUKYAS
ofBadamiandPANDYASofMadurai.ThetemplecomplexesatMAMMALAPURAM
(earlierknownasMAHABALIPURAM)INTamilnadu,LAKDHANtempleinAiholeand
Kasinatha temple in Pattadakkal are examples of this style of architecture. The
evolutionofSoutherntempleswereasfollow:
600 -850 ADinTamilnaduduringtheperiodofthePallavas(rockcutandRATHA
style temples of Mahabalipuram, Kailasanatha and Vaikunta Perumal temples of
Kanchipuram)
900 850inTamilNaduduringtheCholadynasty(BrihadeeshwaraandSrirangam
temples)
1336 1565during the period of the Vijayagara empire in Karnataka (Pampavati
andSriVithalatemplesatHampi)
1600 to 1700during the Nayaks of Madurai. (Enlarged the existing Meenakshi
templecomplexbymakingitornateandaddingpillaredcorridors)

MATERIAL USED IN
Stone was TEMPLES
the principal temple material.
Iron pins were used to hold the blocks together.
Bricks both in combination with stone and separately
were widely used as temple material.
Sometimes plasters were used for ornamentation along with stone
and terracotta.
Birtagon is the best example of the temples made of burnt bricks.
It has been dated on stylistic ground to 5th century AD.

TYPES OF TEMPLES
There are two different types
of Hindu temples which has
different functions and
purposes.

1. SHIVA OR SHIVAVITE
TEMPLES

The device on the top

of
the
Shikara
distinguishes the two
temple of each system.
The trident on Shikara
signifying
a
Shiva
temple, these temples
always faces east.
Inside the cella of
these temples Linga is
present.
In front of the main
entrance there will be
always in sacred bull of
Shiva known as Nandi.

2. VISHNU OR VISHNUITE
TEMPLES
In contrast to the
Shiva temples above
the Shikara of the
Vishnu temples there
will be a disc or
wheel and inside the
sanctuary, a statue
of deity is used.
This kind of temples
must
have
lotus
flower and chakra
symbols.

Figure 1. (i)
Fire temple
from MohenjoDaro;
(ii) Fire-altar
from Lothal

Temple18atSanchi,
MadhyaPradesh

Temple17atSanchi,
MadhyaPradesh

DraupadiandArjunaRatha,Stone,
Mahabalipuram,TamilNadu

LadKhanTemple,Aihole,
Karnataka

DurgaTemple,Aihole,Karnataka

NakulaandSahadev
Temple,
Mahabalipuram,
TamilNadu
ShoreTemple,
Mahabalipuram,
TamilNadu

MahabodhiTemple,
BodhGaya,Bihar

JagannathaTemple,Puri,Orissa

Shikhara,VaitalDeulTemple,
Bhubaneswar,Orissa

ParasurameswaraTemple,
Bhubaneswar,Orissa

SuryaMandir,Konarak,Orissa
LingarajaTemple,
Bhubaneswar,
Orissa

VirupakshaTemple,Pattadakal,
Karnataka

BrihadeshvaraTemple,
Thanjavur,TamilNadu

Surya,VitalDeulTemple,
Bhubaneswar,Orissa

KailashTemple,Ellora,Maharashtra

TempleComplex,Madurai,
TamilNadu

Vishwanathtemple,Khajuraho,
MadhyaPradesh

MAHAMANDAPA
MANDAPA

GARBAGRIHA
ANTRALA

AMBULATORY
PASSAGE

ENCLOSURE
WALL