{"id":102274,"date":"2024-04-17T17:04:45","date_gmt":"2024-04-17T11:34:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/?post_type=udaan&#038;p=102274"},"modified":"2024-09-18T17:04:48","modified_gmt":"2024-09-18T11:34:48","slug":"temple-architecture","status":"publish","type":"udaan","link":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/udaan\/temple-architecture","title":{"rendered":"Temple Architecture: Symbolism, Evolution, and Styles"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><strong>Introduction<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/udaan\/central-indian-temple\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Temple architecture<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> encompasses a <\/span><b>diverse range of religious structures<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> dedicated to worship across various cultures and civilizations, showcasing<\/span><b> unique design elements<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, symbolism, and spiritual significance.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><strong>Early Temples<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Brahmanical temples and sacred images became more popular along with the continuous construction of stupas. Each temple featured a principal deity image.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The temple shrines came in three types:<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>Sandhara<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (without Pradikshinapatha)\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>Nirandhara<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (with Pradikshinapatha)\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>Sarvatobhadra<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (accessible from all sides)\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span class=\"vc_button\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pw.live\/batches\/upsc?utm_source=seo+upsc+batch&#038;utm_medium=seo+upsc&#038;utm_campaign=seo&#038;utm_id=upsc\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Enroll now for UPSC Online Course<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<table style=\"width: 100.4%;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"border-style: solid; border-color: #000000; background-color: #e9ebe8; width: 100%;\"><b>Notable Temples<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/udaan\/central-indian-temple\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>Deogarh<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in Uttar Pradesh<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, Eran, <\/span><b>Nachna-Kuthara,<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><b>Udayagiri<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> near Vidisha in Madhya Pradesh.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These temples, characterized by simplicity, typically comprised a veranda, a hall, and a shrine at the rear.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><strong>Structure of the Hindu Temple<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-102252 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/171-661fa953ac081.webp\" alt=\"Temple architecture \" width=\"403\" height=\"320\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/171-661fa953ac081.webp 727w, https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/171-661fa953ac081-300x238.webp 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 403px) 100vw, 403px\" \/><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Sanctum (Garbhagriha): <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The sanctum, initially a small cubicle with a single entrance, evolved into a larger chamber over time.\u00a0<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is designed to house the main icon.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Entrance (Mandapa):<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> The entrance to the temple, whether a <\/span><b>portico or collonaded hall,<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> serves as a space for accommodating a large number of worshippers.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Architectural Elements:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> In freestanding temples, a mountain-like spire is featured, taking the form of a curving<\/span> <a href=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/current-affairs\/prime-minister-temple-visit\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>Shikhar<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in <\/span><b>North India<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and a <\/span><b>pyramidal <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">tower known as a <\/span><b>vimana<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in <\/span><b>South India<\/b><\/a><b>.<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Vahan and Dhvaj:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Positioned axially before the sanctum, the <\/span><b>vahan represents the mount<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or vehicle of the <\/span><b>main deity,<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> accompanied by a <\/span><b>standard pillar, or Dhvaj.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><strong>Evolution of Temple Architecture<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Progression: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">During the Gupta period, there was a gradual progression of temples from <\/span><b>flat-roofed monolithic temples<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in the initial stages to the<\/span><b> sculptured shikhara <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">in the later years.\u00a0<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Progression can be distinguished into <\/span><b>5 stages<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>First Stage: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The temples were <\/span><b>square in shape<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> with a <\/span><b>flat roof<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"3\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The entire structure was built on a low platform.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>Second Stage: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The platforms were higher or upraised. <\/span><b>Two-storied temples<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> have been found.\u00a0<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"3\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">An important addition was a covered ambulatory passageway around Garbhagriha called a <\/span><b>Pradakshinapath<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"3\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><b>Example:<\/b> <b>Parvati temple<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> at <\/span><b>Nachnakuthara<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (Madhya Pradesh)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>Third Stage: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Emergence of <\/span><b>Shikharas<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in place of a flat roof. <\/span><b>Panchayatan style <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">of temples was introduced.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>Fourth Stage: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Similar to the third stage, except that the <\/span><b>main shrine became more rectangular.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"3\"><b>Example:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Ter temple in Maharashtra.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>Fifth Stage: Circular temples<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> with shallow rectangular projections were introduced.\u00a0<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"3\"><b>Example:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Maniyar math at Rajgir.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><strong>Styles of Temple Architecture<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Two distinct orders of temples prevail<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Nagara in the north\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>Dravida in the south<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/pyq\/indian-philosophy-and-tradition-played-a-significant-role-in-conceiving-and-shaping-the-monuments-and-their-art-in-india-discuss-250-words-15-marks\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>Vesara style<\/b><\/a><b>: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They differ in architectural features and spire shapes.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some scholars recognise the <\/span><b>Vesara style <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">as an independent form resulting from the<\/span><b> selective integration of Nagara and Dravida elements.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<table style=\"width: 100.249%;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 591.851%; border-style: solid; border-color: #000000; background-color: #ff5e00;\" colspan=\"2\">\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\">Must Read<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 36.715%; text-align: center; border-style: solid; border-color: #000000; background-color: #e9ebe8;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/current-affairs\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Current Affairs<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 555.136%; text-align: center; border-style: solid; border-color: #000000; background-color: #e9ebe8;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/editorial-analysis\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Editorial Analysis<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 36.715%; text-align: center; border-style: solid; border-color: #000000; background-color: #e9ebe8;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/upsc-notes\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Upsc Notes\u00a0<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 555.136%; text-align: center; border-style: solid; border-color: #000000; background-color: #e9ebe8;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/blogs\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Upsc Blogs\u00a0<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 36.715%; text-align: center; border-style: solid; border-color: #000000; background-color: #e9ebe8;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/ncert-notes\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">NCERT Notes<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 555.136%; text-align: center; border-style: solid; border-color: #000000; background-color: #e9ebe8;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/mains-answer-writing\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Free Main Answer Writing<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"vc_button\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pw.live\/batches\/upsc\/pw-only-ias?utm_source=seo+upsc+batch&#038;utm_medium=seo+upsc&#038;utm_campaign=seo&#038;utm_id=upsc\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Enroll now for UPSC Online Classes<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><strong>Conclusion<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Temple architecture serves as a <\/span><b>testament to human devotion<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, cultural identity, and <\/span><b>architectural ingenuity<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, fostering spiritual connections and preserving traditions through <\/span><b>sacred spaces<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that inspire awe and reverence.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<table style=\"width: 100.1%;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 182.466%; border-style: solid; border-color: #000000; background-color: #ff5e00; text-align: center;\" colspan=\"2\"><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><b>Related Articles\u00a0<\/b><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 54.498%; text-align: center; border-style: solid; border-color: #000000; background-color: #e9ebe8;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/jawaharlal-nehru\/\" 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Notes<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"","udaan-chapter":[5397],"udaan-subject":[4944],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/udaan\/102274"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/udaan"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/udaan"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/11"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=102274"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=102274"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"udaan-chapter","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/udaan-chapter?post=102274"},{"taxonomy":"udaan-subject","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/udaan-subject?post=102274"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}