Definition
• The art and science of designing and erecting buildings.
OR
• A style in which a building is designed and built.
INTRODUCTION:
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 yagyas 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 YAGYASHALAS later got transformed to temples.
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 called NAGARA and southern style called DRAVIDIAN. There is a derivative of the above two styles which is called VESARA
The Indian temples have symbolized the ethos of life-style of people through many years. The Indian temple architecture may broadly be divided into three categories.
• The Nagara Style of Architecture: - These types of temples are identified with Northern Style. All of Northern India from the foothills of the Himalayas to the central plateau of Deccan is furnished with temples in the Northern style.
• The Dravida Style of Architecture: - The Dravidian Style followed a more consistent development track and was confined to the most southern portions of the subcontinent, particularly between the river Krishna and Kanyakumari.
• The Vesara Style of Architecture: - The Vesara style is not found commonly in India but it May be seen between the Vindhya and river Krishna.
Nagara Style of Architecture:
1. Orissa School of Architecture: -The temple consist of the Voga Mandir (offering hall), Nata Mandir (for dancing), Jagmohan (for Assembly), and Deula (garbha griha). The Shikara is situated on the top of the Deula.
2. Bundelkhand School of Architecture: - This type of architecture reached its climax in 10th A.D. The burning example is the Khajuraho Groups of temples. These types of architectures are quite similar to Orissa architecture.
3. Chalukya / Solanki School of Architecture: - These types of architecture are mostly found in Gujarat and Rajasthan. Temples were built on high platforms. Shikhar was adorned by miniature shikaras. The Jaina temple of Mount Abu and Dilwara temple is the best example of the Chalukya Style of Architecture.
Dravidian Style of Architecture:
1. Chola School of Architecture: - The Chola Kings continued and improved on the Pallava Style. Temples were named after kings like Rajarajeswar Temple in Tanjore. Most of the temples are dedicated to Lord Shiva. The Mahamandap (pillared large hall with a flat roof) was developed. Rajraja-I built Rajrajeswar Temple in Tanjore in Tanjore has the largest Vimana crowned with a Kalasa. The Pallavas developed early Dravidian Style.
2. Pandya School of Architecture: - Square concentric walls with gates on four sides were built to imitate the king’s palace. Gates were surmounted by soaring towers. The use of animal forms in columns was found in most of the temples.
3. Hoyasala School of Architecture: - The temple plan became polygonal (star shaped) instead of the original rectangle and rose on a platform.
4. Vijayanagar School of Architecture: - Temples became very elaborate in structure and organization. Old temples were amplified by addition of pillared halls etc. A Kalyan Mandapam (marriage hall) was built, where the Gods and Goddesses icons were ceremoniously married on festivals.
5. Madura School of Architecture: - Madura Style is a last stage of Vijayanagar style and quite similar to the Pandya style. Tanks were added with the halls. The best examples of this style are Minakshi Temple of Madurai, Rameswaram etc.
6. Sultanate Architecture: - It follows the style of the mosque built by the Prophet in Madina consisting of a hall with pillars of Palm tree, trunks and a roof of branches. A Mosque has a Mihrab (niche) indicating direction for Qibla (prayers), facing Kaba (west of India).
7. Mughal School of Architecture: - This period witnesses the best example of Indo-Islamic architecture. During the period of Babur and Humayun no rapid development of art and architecture were taken place. But during the period of Akbar and Shah Jahan, the development of art and artitecture reached its climax. Again after the reign period of Aurongzeb the disintegration of Mughal Empire was started.
Other Architecture Schools:
1. The Gandhara School of Art (50 B.C. to 500 A.D.):
The Gadhara region extending from Punjab to the borders of Afghanistan was an important centre of Mahayana Buddhism up to the 5th century A.D. Owing to its strategic location the Gandhara School imbibed all kinds of foreign influences like Persian, Greek, Roman, Saka and Kushan. The origin of Gandhara art can be traced to the Greek rulers of Bactria and Northwest India. But it was during the reign of Kanishka that the art received great patronage.
The Gandhara School of Art is also known as the Graeco-Buddhist School of Art since Greek techniques of Art were applied to Buddhist subjects. The most important contribution of the Gandhara School of Art was the evolution of beautiful images of the Buddha and Bodhisattavas, which were executed in black stone and modelled on identical characters of Graeco-Roman pantheon.The most characteristic trait of Gandhara sculpture is the depiction of Lord Buddha in the standing or seated positions. The seated Buddha is always shown cross-legged in the traditional Indian way. Another typical feature of the Gandhara Art is the rich carving, elaborate ornamentation and complex symbolism. The best specimens of Gandhara art are from Jaulian and Dharmarajika stupa at Taxila and from Hadda near Jalalabad in modern Afghanistan. The tallest rock-cut statue of Lord Buddha is also located at Bamiyan in modern Afghanistan and dates back to 3-4 century AD.
2. The Mathura School of Art:
The Mathura School of art flourished at the holy city of Mathura, especially between 1-3 A.D. It established the tradition of transforming Buddhist symbols into human form. Buddha’s first image can be traced to Kanishka’s reign (about 78 A.D.). The earliest sculptures of Buddha were made keeping the yaksha prototype in mind. They were depicted as strongly built with the right hand raised in protection and the left hand on the waist. The figures produced by this school of art do not have moustaches and beards as in the Gandhara Art. These figures can be seen in the museum of Mathura. The standing Buddha figures resembles the yaksha figures and indicates the Kushan influence. The seated figures are in the padmasana posture.
3. The Amravati School of Art:
This school of art developed at Amravati, on the banks of the Krishna River in modern Andhra Pradesh. It is the site for the largest Buddhist stupa of South India. Its construction began in 200 B.C. and was completed in 200 A.D. The diameter of the stupa at the base was 51 meters. The height of the dome was 31 meters and its outer railing was 5 meters wide. The stupendous stupa could not withstand the ravages of time and its ruins are preserved in the London Museum.
• The art and science of designing and erecting buildings.
OR
• A style in which a building is designed and built.
INTRODUCTION:
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 yagyas 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 YAGYASHALAS later got transformed to temples.
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 called NAGARA and southern style called DRAVIDIAN. There is a derivative of the above two styles which is called VESARA
The Indian temples have symbolized the ethos of life-style of people through many years. The Indian temple architecture may broadly be divided into three categories.
• The Nagara Style of Architecture: - These types of temples are identified with Northern Style. All of Northern India from the foothills of the Himalayas to the central plateau of Deccan is furnished with temples in the Northern style.
• The Dravida Style of Architecture: - The Dravidian Style followed a more consistent development track and was confined to the most southern portions of the subcontinent, particularly between the river Krishna and Kanyakumari.
• The Vesara Style of Architecture: - The Vesara style is not found commonly in India but it May be seen between the Vindhya and river Krishna.
Nagara Style of Architecture:
1. Orissa School of Architecture: -The temple consist of the Voga Mandir (offering hall), Nata Mandir (for dancing), Jagmohan (for Assembly), and Deula (garbha griha). The Shikara is situated on the top of the Deula.
2. Bundelkhand School of Architecture: - This type of architecture reached its climax in 10th A.D. The burning example is the Khajuraho Groups of temples. These types of architectures are quite similar to Orissa architecture.
3. Chalukya / Solanki School of Architecture: - These types of architecture are mostly found in Gujarat and Rajasthan. Temples were built on high platforms. Shikhar was adorned by miniature shikaras. The Jaina temple of Mount Abu and Dilwara temple is the best example of the Chalukya Style of Architecture.
Dravidian Style of Architecture:
1. Chola School of Architecture: - The Chola Kings continued and improved on the Pallava Style. Temples were named after kings like Rajarajeswar Temple in Tanjore. Most of the temples are dedicated to Lord Shiva. The Mahamandap (pillared large hall with a flat roof) was developed. Rajraja-I built Rajrajeswar Temple in Tanjore in Tanjore has the largest Vimana crowned with a Kalasa. The Pallavas developed early Dravidian Style.
2. Pandya School of Architecture: - Square concentric walls with gates on four sides were built to imitate the king’s palace. Gates were surmounted by soaring towers. The use of animal forms in columns was found in most of the temples.
3. Hoyasala School of Architecture: - The temple plan became polygonal (star shaped) instead of the original rectangle and rose on a platform.
4. Vijayanagar School of Architecture: - Temples became very elaborate in structure and organization. Old temples were amplified by addition of pillared halls etc. A Kalyan Mandapam (marriage hall) was built, where the Gods and Goddesses icons were ceremoniously married on festivals.
5. Madura School of Architecture: - Madura Style is a last stage of Vijayanagar style and quite similar to the Pandya style. Tanks were added with the halls. The best examples of this style are Minakshi Temple of Madurai, Rameswaram etc.
6. Sultanate Architecture: - It follows the style of the mosque built by the Prophet in Madina consisting of a hall with pillars of Palm tree, trunks and a roof of branches. A Mosque has a Mihrab (niche) indicating direction for Qibla (prayers), facing Kaba (west of India).
7. Mughal School of Architecture: - This period witnesses the best example of Indo-Islamic architecture. During the period of Babur and Humayun no rapid development of art and architecture were taken place. But during the period of Akbar and Shah Jahan, the development of art and artitecture reached its climax. Again after the reign period of Aurongzeb the disintegration of Mughal Empire was started.
Other Architecture Schools:
1. The Gandhara School of Art (50 B.C. to 500 A.D.):
The Gadhara region extending from Punjab to the borders of Afghanistan was an important centre of Mahayana Buddhism up to the 5th century A.D. Owing to its strategic location the Gandhara School imbibed all kinds of foreign influences like Persian, Greek, Roman, Saka and Kushan. The origin of Gandhara art can be traced to the Greek rulers of Bactria and Northwest India. But it was during the reign of Kanishka that the art received great patronage.
The Gandhara School of Art is also known as the Graeco-Buddhist School of Art since Greek techniques of Art were applied to Buddhist subjects. The most important contribution of the Gandhara School of Art was the evolution of beautiful images of the Buddha and Bodhisattavas, which were executed in black stone and modelled on identical characters of Graeco-Roman pantheon.The most characteristic trait of Gandhara sculpture is the depiction of Lord Buddha in the standing or seated positions. The seated Buddha is always shown cross-legged in the traditional Indian way. Another typical feature of the Gandhara Art is the rich carving, elaborate ornamentation and complex symbolism. The best specimens of Gandhara art are from Jaulian and Dharmarajika stupa at Taxila and from Hadda near Jalalabad in modern Afghanistan. The tallest rock-cut statue of Lord Buddha is also located at Bamiyan in modern Afghanistan and dates back to 3-4 century AD.
2. The Mathura School of Art:
The Mathura School of art flourished at the holy city of Mathura, especially between 1-3 A.D. It established the tradition of transforming Buddhist symbols into human form. Buddha’s first image can be traced to Kanishka’s reign (about 78 A.D.). The earliest sculptures of Buddha were made keeping the yaksha prototype in mind. They were depicted as strongly built with the right hand raised in protection and the left hand on the waist. The figures produced by this school of art do not have moustaches and beards as in the Gandhara Art. These figures can be seen in the museum of Mathura. The standing Buddha figures resembles the yaksha figures and indicates the Kushan influence. The seated figures are in the padmasana posture.
3. The Amravati School of Art:
This school of art developed at Amravati, on the banks of the Krishna River in modern Andhra Pradesh. It is the site for the largest Buddhist stupa of South India. Its construction began in 200 B.C. and was completed in 200 A.D. The diameter of the stupa at the base was 51 meters. The height of the dome was 31 meters and its outer railing was 5 meters wide. The stupendous stupa could not withstand the ravages of time and its ruins are preserved in the London Museum.
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