Science Behind
Hindu Temples
Hindu temple architecture is the pinnacle of achievement for Vedic architecture. Hindu kings worshipped their ishta devata or chosen deity to be the Ultimate, and hence built magnificent temples to give form to the glory and grandeur of the deities. In Hinduism, Moksha or the realization that you are divine is the Ultimate and Guru and Ishwara — the deity — are the Ones that make you realize that you are the Ultimate. Temples were places where you could connect to all three – your Ishwara, Guru and own Self, and hence were the platform for enabling people to progress towards Moksha.
Hindu temples were built to last forever, unlike the palaces and forts, which were for the residence of kings and their kin and ministers. Hindus spent all their wealth and applied the best technology into temples first, and their palaces later. This is also why thousands of temples exist even today, inspite of the many attacks on them over the centuries, whereas very few palaces and forts (comparatively speaking) exist, and hardly any common residences.
The design principles of Hindu architecture are sources from the Agama — Hindu scriptures which are revelations of different deities and incarnations to their disciples. Vastu shaastra is the Hindu science of architecture. Shilpa Shaastra is the Hindu art of sculpture and other forms of art. Kamika Agama (in its present form), comprises 60 chapters on Vaastu shaastra and the nitty gritties of architecture and construction.
The traditions and styles of architecture vary across the subcontinent, but a few common aspects stand out in all the temples. These are some of the design features and elements which can be found in almost all temples, with variations in the styles of implementation and artistry in stone.
There are two prominent styles of temple architecture, which most temples can be categorized into: Bhubaneshwar/ Nagara or North Indian style, and Dravidian or South Indian style. The overall design principles in both the styles are same, as they are derived from the same source, but there are differences in the styles of carving and some design elements.
Before the actual construction of the temple, many sacred rites and fire rituals (yajnas) were performed by the temple priest or purohit, the directions for different parts of the temple were assigned based on the precepts of the Agama shaastras, and the Vastu mandala was drawn in the main hall of the temple where deities were going to be installed. In the Vastu mandala, the Vastu purusha was invoked, and His presence and blessings sought for the construction of the temple. This is also why the main enclosure of most temples have a geometric form — because they are built around a mandala.
The main features of the Hindu temple are the following: the vimana (comprising the garbha griha, the shikhara and the kalasha), the mandapa, the pradakshina path and the gupram(s). The vimana was the main sanctum sanctorum or garbha griha with a towering structure above it, the shikhara, topped by a heavy “kalasha” or stone sculpture signifying the sacred water pot.
The mandapa was the pavilion where people gathered for spiritual discourses, participating in rituals, performance of yajnas, and other temple-centered activities. It was the hub-bub of all activity. Many temples have several mandaps, of varying sizes for different purposes, depending on the size of the entire temple complex. Similarly, many huge temple complexes have one main garbha griha where the presiding deity resides, and other smaller “temples within the temple” dedicated to other deities also worshipped in the temple.
The pradakshina path is a circumambulatory path which allows the visitors to walk around the main deity (or additional deities) as a form of worship. The gopuram is a feature very prominent in the Dravidian style of architecture, where the four cardinal directions typically have an entrance gate each to the temple complex, and have towering gates at the entrance points.
The walls of every part of the temple were covered in elaborate, intricate murals, carvings and sculptures depicting stories from the puranas, upanishads and the epics. Many of these carvings give us insights into the dresses, traditions, roles, and other aspects of Hindus in the time when these temples were built. Animals, gods and goddesses, warriors, brahmanas, musicians, artisans, dancers, and beings from other yonis can all be found on the wall carvings, and many were represented as sacred.
Hindus put their best skills and talents to use in the making of the Hindu temple, the abode of their deities. So it comes as no surprise that many of these temples have stood the test of time and numerous onslaughts for many centuries.
If India wants to raise herself once more, it is absolutely necessary that she brings out her treasures and throw them broadcast among the nations of the earth and in return be ready to receive what others have to give her.
