Temple Architecture

Design Resource

Shilpa Kala Shala

Acharya Institute of Fine Arts

Prof. Bibhudutta Baral, Divyadarshan C. S., Manmi Dutta, Lija M Gand Rakshitha

Temple Architecture

According to Mr Shankaranaranyan, It is said in olden days the people were started constructing temples on the top of the hills or on the elevated areas of they were living. Because, at the time of heavy rains, floods and other naturals calamities, all the people of the area to protect themselves from such dangerous situations. This is one point other is to identify their village as entire area was covered by the forests. Even for the travelers from other places to identify. That is how it was started. In those days there were no travelling facilities. The people use to go on foot. The temples were painted with red and white stripes on the walls of the temples for the identification. Sometimes they were forced to stay in the temples for long time. Then they started making idols and other art forms like music, dance literature, etc. Almost all talents of the people developed in temples. It was also made the integrity of the people. Gradually the people developed these talents and exhibited and modified.

Wise men (Medhavis) among the people and scholars discussed and came to a decision to construct the temples and houses scientifically (according to Shastras).
‘Shastras’ are formed by the ancient ‘Munis and Rishis’ by their deep ‘tapas’ and meditation.
“Deho Devalaya prokto, Jeevo deva sanaathana tyajeth agnana nirmalyam so hum bhavena Poojayeth”

‘jeeva’ Living being and ‘deva’ God are very ancient, ‘deha’(human body) is devalaya (Temple). It all ‘agnana’ (ignorance) is gone, the God and the man are same (Advitha). Then the ‘Soha’ He (God) aham (me) are the one (Aham bramhasi).

So the architects and sculptors of those days took man's body as the model and constructed temples. The ‘sutra’ of the above temple construction as follows
“ Shikhara shira Ityahuhu
Garbhageyan galam tatha
Mantapam kukshirithyahuhu
Dhvajam jeevana muchyathe
Gopurum Padamuchyathe”

Architects considered ‘shira’ Head as Gopura (Tower of main Sanctrum). Throat as Gharbhalaya (sanctrorium) ‘Mukhamantapam (Hall) upto ‘Kukshi' stomach. ‘Dhvajastambha’ is sex organ of the body and Gopuram (Main entrance tower) is pada. All the constructions are followed by “shastraparimana” (Measurements according to Shastra)

These are the procedures of constructions of temples. Still so many procedures are there in different ancient Shilpa Shastras.

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