Architecture in Ancient India : Temples
Indian civilization is considered to be one of the oldest on this planet and popular belief in the Hindu tradition considers it as ‘Sanatana’ which means having no beginning and end. It is necessary to discuss the culture to understand its impact on the architecture. Apart from the culture, historic events and the prevalent religion (dominantly Hindu) has a hegemonic influence on the architectural styles that developed during this time. Ancient Indian temples are examples of Symmetric, inclusive geometric designs and repeating fractal-like design structures that are detailed in Vastu Shastra. Although Vastu Shatra (Science of Architecture) is still practiced in India, yet there isn’t much enthusiasm to study Dravidian and Nagara architectural styles probably due to them being not in practice, however, this notion seems to be challenged when the news of resurrection of ancient Hoysala style Temple in India came into light in March, 2010. While lineages of practitioners from Tamil Nadu and Gujarat continue to build traditional temples in their respective traditional styles worldwide, no ‘Hoysala’ temple has been built since the 14th century, hence the expertise of Professor Adam Hardy, founder PRASADA ( a centre devoted to the architecture, visual arts and material culture of South Asia and its diaspora), Welsh School of Architecture, Cardiff University was needed.
Vastuvidhya (Architectural Theory)
Vastuvidhya or the Science of Architecture reveals that Geometry, Symmetry and Directional Alignments were the most important pillars of designing temples in those periods. If one observes the Temple of Angkor Wat, Dravidian Architecture of Southern India and Nagara Architecture of North India, then the most striking and common feature among them is their extremely complex geometry. This is because geometric patterns, symmetry and alignment in relevant direction were considered an important tool for their better integration with nature. Vastuvidhya scriptures included chapters on home construction, town planning, and efficient inclusion of gardens, temples, lakes in villages and kingdoms to achieve harmony with nature. These manuals show that Town Planning and Hindu temples were conceived as ideals of art and integral part of Hindu social and spiritual life.
Shilpavidhya (Construction Theory) and Influence of Cosmology
The design of a Hindu Temple is based on Vastu-purusha-mandala. A mandala is an ancient Hindu (and Buddhist) graphic symbol of the universe a cosmic diagram that functions as a powerful aid to meditation and concentration. Mandala is a Sanskrit word that translates to “Marking off a circle”. Hindu temples dominantly use concentric circles and turning squares as a basis for planning the layout and designing the Shikhar (as called in North India) or Vimanas (called in South India) that are actually spires. Mostly the temple is designed and constructed in concentric steps called “Padas”. The symmetry and each concentric layer of Pada has a significance. The outermost pada (Paisachika) denotes the evil that stays out, next is Manusha pada signifies the human life and is meant for “Pradakshina” or circumambulation of the deity/God/Universal Energy. Next is Devika pada that signifies the good and is meant for the priests. At the center is the Brahma pada that symbolizes universal energy and at its centre is the Garbha-griha where the idol of deity is established for “Darsana”(viewing). The Spire (Shikhar/Vimana) is perfectly aligned with this center and Brahma Pada.
In cases of extraordinarily large temples, the provision of “Madaps” (waiting areas) and “Gopuram”(grand entrance) is notable. These Mega temple sites have a main temple surrounded by smaller temples arranged by principles of symmetry, grids and mathematical precision.
Indian temple architecture expresses a process of emanation, reflecting ideas about hierarchies of gods proceeding one from another, and about the birth and evolution of the universe. The process begins with the geometric construction of circles traced on the ground at sunrise to orientate the temple and to lay out the ground plan.
Notable Styles
Nagara architecture, Dravidian architecture, Chalukya architecture, Kalinga architecture, Champa architecture, Khmer architecture, Māru-Gurjara temple architecture,Vesara style architecture.
