What is Architecture ?

The study of designing and making buildings

What is Sculpture ?
the art of making figures or objects from stone, wood, clay, etc.
मू र्ति कला (पत्‍थर, लकड़ी, र्मट्टी आर्ि से प्रर्तमाओं या वस्‍तु ओं का र्िमाि ण)

Chaitya - Chaityas were the place of worship in Buddhism

Vihara/Monasteries - Living places of Buddhist monks were called viharas. It is where

religious education was imparted.

Stupa - a dome-shaped structure erected as a Buddhist shrine. The remains of Buddhist monks
that is used as a place of meditation.

Pagoda - A pagoda is a tall building which is used for religious purposes, especially by
Buddhists, in China, Japan, and South-East Asia. Pagodas are usually very highly decorated.

Intricate carving - the act of fashioning or producing by cutting into or shaping solid material,
as wood. a carved design or figure.

Mandala - a circular figure representing the universe in Hindu and Buddhist symbolism.

Mural Paintings - any piece of artwork painted or applied directly on a wall, ceiling or other
permanent surfaces

1) Buddhist Architecture: The three main elements of Buddhist architecture are Viharas,
Stupas and Chaitya Grihas. Bodh Gaya, Bihar is the famous place for Buddhist Architecture.
There are three kinds of Buddhist structure: Stupas (Places to venerate relics): These are bell
shaped structures that contain a scripture or holy relic.

The main features of Buddhist architecture include stupas (dome-shaped structures

containing relics), pagodas (multi-tiered towers), viharas (monastic complexes), and chaityas
(prayer halls). They are often adorned with symbolic decorations such as the lotus flower, the
dharma wheel, and images of the Buddha.

Features of Buddhist Architecture

Buddhist architecture encompasses various styles and features, reflecting the cultural and
spiritual context of Buddhism.

Common Features:

1. Stupas (Dagobas): Monumental structures housing relics or artifacts.

2. Temples (Viharas): Places of worship and spiritual practice.
3. Monasteries (Sangharamas): Residential complexes for monks and nuns.
4. Pagodas: Multi-tiered structures symbolizing spiritual growth.
5. Buddha Statues: Iconic representations of the enlightened one.

Architectural Elements:
1. Domes and Finials: Representing the cosmos and spiritual ascent.
2. Arches and Gateways: Symbolizing entrance to enlightenment.
3. Pillars and Columns: Supporting structures with spiritual significance.
4. Mural Paintings: Depicting Buddhist tales and teachings.
5. Intricate Carvings: Illustrating Buddhist iconography.

Symbolism:

1. Lotus: Representing spiritual growth and enlightenment.

2. Wheel of Dharma: Symbolizing Buddhist teachings.
3. Bodhi Tree: Representing Buddha's enlightenment.
4. Mandala: Illustrating cosmic harmony.
5. Colors: Signifying various aspects of Buddhist philosophy.

Evolution:

1. Ancient (3rd century BCE - 5th century CE)

2. Medieval (5th - 15th century)
3. Modern (15th century - present)

Conservation Efforts:

1. UNESCO World Heritage Sites

2. Restoration projects
3. Cultural preservation initiatives

Buddhist architecture embodies the spiritual and cultural essence of Buddhism.

2) Architecture of Ajanta
The Ajanta Caves, located in Maharashtra, India, are a testament to ancient Indian
architecture and Buddhist art.

Characteristics:

1. Rock-cut architecture: Carved into volcanic basalt rock.

2. Chaitya halls: Prayer halls with apsidal (semicircular) ends.
3. Vihara halls: Monastic residences with cells.
4. Stupas: Monumental structures housing relics.
5. Intricate carvings: Sculptures, murals, and reliefs.

Architectural Features:

1. Entrances: Ornate doorways with intricate carvings.

2. Pillars: Supportive columns with sculpted capitals.
3. Arches: Semi-circular and horse-shoe shaped.
4. Vaults: Barrel-vaulted ceilings.
5. Domes: Hemispherical and octagonal.

Cave Classification:
1. Hinayana caves (c. 2nd century BCE - 1st century CE): Simple, austere.
2. Mahayana caves (c. 1st century - 6th century CE): Ornate, elaborate.

Artistic Highlights:

1. Murals: Vivid paintings depicting Buddhist tales.

2. Sculptures: Intricate carvings of Buddha, bodhisattvas.
3. Reliefs: Carved panels illustrating Buddhist stories.

Conservation Efforts:

1. UNESCO World Heritage Site (1983).

2. Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) restoration.
3. International conservation collaborations.

The Ajanta Caves are an outstanding example of ancient Indian architecture and Buddhist art.

3) Architecture features of Ellora

The Ellora Caves, located in Maharashtra, India, showcase a blend of Buddhist, Hindu, and
Jain architectural styles.

Characteristics:

1. Rock-cut architecture: Carved into volcanic basalt rock.

2. Cave temples: Dedicated to Buddhist, Hindu, and Jain deities.
3. Monolithic structures: Single-piece rock formations.
4. Intricate carvings: Sculptures, murals, and reliefs.

Architectural Features:

1. Entrances: Ornate doorways with intricate carvings.

2. Pillars: Supportive columns with sculpted capitals.
3. Arches: Semi-circular and horse-shoe shaped.
4. Vaults: Barrel-vaulted ceilings.
5. Domes: Hemispherical and octagonal.

Cave Classification:

1. Buddhist Caves (c. 6th-8th century CE): 12 caves.

2. Hindu Caves (c. 7th-9th century CE): 17 caves.
3. Jain Caves (c. 8th-10th century CE): 5 caves.

Notable Caves:

1. Kailasa Temple (Cave 16): Largest monolithic structure.

2. Dasavatara Cave (Cave 15): Hindu cave with intricate carvings.
3. Ravana Ki Khai (Cave 14): Buddhist cave with murals.
4. Indra Sabha (Cave 32): Jain cave with elaborate sculptures.
5. Jagannatha Sabha (Cave 35): Jain cave with intricate carvings.
Artistic Highlights:

1. Murals: Vivid paintings depicting mythological scenes.

2. Sculptures: Intricate carvings of deities and mythological figures.
3. Reliefs: Carved panels illustrating mythological stories.

Influences:

1. Ancient Indian architecture.

2. Buddhist, Hindu, and Jain art and iconography.
3. Local Maharashtra traditions.

Conservation Efforts:

1. UNESCO World Heritage Site (1983).

2. Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) restoration.
3. International conservation collaborations.

4) Architecture features of sanchi

Sanchi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Madhya Pradesh, India, is renowned for its
ancient Buddhist architecture.

Main Architecture Features:

1. Stupa: Hemispherical structures housing relics.

2. Torana: Ornate gateways.
3. Vihara: Monastic residences.
4. Chaitya: Prayer halls.
5. Pillars: Supportive columns.

Notable Structures:

1. Great Stupa (Stupa No. 1): Largest and oldest stupa.

2. Torana Gateways: Four ornate gateways.
3. Stupa No. 2: Smaller stupa with intricate carvings.
4. Stupa No. 3: Well-preserved stupa.
5. Ashoka Pillar: Monolithic pillar.

Architectural Characteristics:

1. Mauryan Architecture (3rd century BCE).

2. Satavahana Architecture (2nd century BCE).
3. Gupta Architecture (4th-6th century CE).

Innovative Features:

1. First known use of stone in Indian architecture.

2. Earliest surviving Buddhist stupa.
3. Torana gateways' intricate carvings.
Symbolism:

1. Stupa: Represents Buddha's enlightenment.

2. Torana: Symbolizes entrance to enlightenment.
3. Pillars: Supportive columns represent Buddhist teachings.

Conservation Efforts:

1. UNESCO World Heritage Site (1989).

2. Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) restoration.
3. International conservation collaborations.

Interesting Facts:

1. Commissioned by Emperor Ashoka.

2. Built over several centuries.
3. Reflects Buddhist artistic and architectural evolution.

Sanchi's architecture showcases ancient India's cultural and artistic richness.

Hindu Architecture
The two major styles of temple architecture in the country are known as Nagara in the north
and Dravidian in the south. The third style, Vesara Style, is fusion of Nagara and Dravidian
style of architecture.

5) Important Parts of Temple / The basic form of a Hindu temple

When you browse our earlier articles on Hindu Temple Architecture, you would realize one
thing. It was a gradual evolution starting from the rock cut- cave temples to monolithic
rathas which finally culminated in structural temples. The basic form of a Hindu structural
temple consists of the following.

1. Garbhagriha:
 It literally means ‘womb-house’ and is a cave like sanctum.
 In the earliest temples, it was a small cubical structure with a single entrance.
 Later it grew into a larger complex.
 The Garbhagriha is made to house the main icon (main deity) which is itself the focus
of much ritual attention.
2. Mandapa:
 It is the entrance to the temple.
 It may be a portico or colonnaded (series of columns placed at regular intervals) hall
that incorporates space for a large number of worshippers.
 Dances and such other entertainments are practiced here.
 Some temples have multiple mandapas in different sizes named as Ardhamandapa,
Mandapa, and Mahamandapa.
3. Shikhara or Vimana:
 They are mountain like the spire of a free-standing temple.
 Shikhara is found in North Indian temples and Vimana is found in South Indian
temples.
  Shikhara has a curving shape while vimana has a pyramidal-like structure.

4. Amalaka:
 It is a stone disc like structure at the top of the temple and they are common in North
Indian temples.
5. Kalasha:
 It is the topmost point of the temple and commonly seen in North Indian temples.
6. Antarala (vestibule):
 Antarala is a transition area between the Garbhagriha and the temple’s main hall
(mandapa).
7. Jagati:
 It is a raised platform for sitting and praying and is common in North Indian temples.
8. Vahana:
 It is the mount or vehicle of the temple’s main deity along with a standard pillar
or Dhvaj which is placed axially before the sanctum.

6) Types of Temples / Classification of Indian Temples

Indian temples can be classified into two broad orders as
 Nagara (in North India)
 Dravida (in South India)
 At times, the Vesara style of temples as an independent style created through the
mixing of Nagara and Dravida orders.

The Nagara or North Indian Temple Architecture

 Nagara is the style of temple architecture which became popular in Northern India.
  It is common here to build an entire temple on a stone platform with steps leading up
to it.
 Unlike in south India, it doesn’t usually have elaborate boundary walls or gateways.
 Earliest temples had only one shikhara (tower), but in the later periods, multiple
shikharas came.
 The garbhagriha is always located directly under the tallest tower.

We can also classify the Nagara Temples on the basis of region as follows:
The Dravida or South Indian Temple Architecture
 Unlike the nagara temple, the Dravida temple is enclosed within a compound wall.
 The front wall has an entrance gateway in its centre, which is known as Gopura/
Gopuram.
 The shape of the main temple tower is known as Vimana (shikhara in nagara style).
 The vimana is like a stepped pyramid that rises up geometrically rather than the
curving shikhara of north India.
 In south India, the word Shikhara is used only for the crowning element at the top of
the temple which is usually shaped like a small stupika or an octagonal cupola (this is
equivalent to the amalaka or kalasha of north Indian temples).

 In north Indian temples, we can see images such as Mithunas (erotic) and the river
goddesses, Ganga and Yamuna guarding the temple. But in the Dravida style of
temple architecture, instead of these sculptures, we can see the sculptures of fierce
dvarapalas or door keepers guarding the temple.
 A large water reservoir or a temple tank enclosed in the complex is general in south
Indian temples.
 Subsidiary shrines are either incorporated within the main temple tower or located as
a distinct, separate small shrine beside the main temple.
 The north Indian idea of multiple shikharas rising together as a cluster was not
popular in Dravida style.
 At some of the most sacred temples in south India, the main temple in which the
garbhagriha is situated has, in fact, one of the smallest towers.
 This is because it is usually the oldest part of the temple.
 When the population and the size of the town associated with the temple increased, it
would have become necessary to make a new boundary wall around the temple (and
also associated structures).
 An example for this is the Srirangam temple at Thiruchirapally, which has as many as
seven concentric rectangular enclosure walls, each with gopurams.
 The outermost is the oldest while the tower right in the centre housing the garbhagriha
is the oldest.

Just as the nagara architecture has subdivisions, Dravida temples also have subdivisions.
These are basically of five different shapes:
1. Kuta or caturasra – square
 2. Shala or ayatasra – rectangular
3. Gaja-prishta or vrittayata (elephant backed) –elliptic
4. Vritta – circular
5. Ashtasra – octagonal

The Vesara or the Deccan Temple Architecture

 The buildings in the Deccan region are hybridized style, which contains both elements
from nagara and Dravida architectural styles and is known in some ancient texts as
the Vesara style (not all temples of Deccan are the vesara type).
 The vesara style became popular after the mid 7th century.

TEMPLE ARCHITECTURE

7) Architecture features of Khajuraho temple

The Khajuraho Group of Monuments, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Madhya Pradesh,
India, showcases exquisite ancient Indian architecture.

Main Architecture Features:

1. Nagara Style: Characterized by towering spires.

2. Kandariya Mahadev Temple: Largest and most ornate temple.
3. Chaunsat Yogini Temple: Smallest and oldest temple.
4. Vimala Temple: Dedicated to Goddess Parvati.
5. Jagdamba Temple: Dedicated to Goddess Kali.

Architectural Characteristics:

1. Constructed using sandstone and granite.

2. Intricate carvings and sculptures.
3. Pyramidal roof with kalasa (finial).
4. Ornate doorways and windows.
5. Elevated platform (jagati).

Notable Features:

1. Erotic Sculptures: Intricate carvings depicting daily life.

2. Apsaras and Surasundaris: Celestial nymphs.
3. Mithunas: Couples in intimate poses.
4. Makaras: Mythical creatures.

5. Ardhanarishvara: Half-male, half-female deity.

Symbolism:

1. Temples represent union of human and divine.

2. Erotic sculptures celebrate life and fertility.
3. Apsaras symbolize beauty and grace.
4. Makaras represent protection.

Conservation Efforts:

1. UNESCO World Heritage Site (1986).

2. Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) restoration.
3. International conservation collaborations.

Interesting Facts:

1. Built between 950-1050 CE by Chandela dynasty.

2. Originally 85 temples; 25 remain.
3. Took 100 years to complete.

8) Architecture features of Konark temple

The Konark Sun Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Odisha, India, is an exemplary
example of ancient Indian architecture.

Main Architecture Features:

1. Kalinga Architecture: Unique blend of Hindu and Buddhist styles.

2. Nagara Style: Characterized by towering spires.
3. Deul Style: Rectangular structure with pyramidal roof.
4. Jagamohana: Assembly hall with intricate carvings.
5. Natya Mandir: Dancing hall with ornate sculptures.

Notable Structures:

1. Main Shrine: Dedicated to Sun God Surya.

2. Entrance Porch: Ornate doorway with sculptures.
3. Navagraha slab: Nine planetary deities.
4. 24-Wheeled Chariot: Carved base representing Surya's chariot.
5. Erotic Sculptures: Intricate carvings depicting daily life.

Architectural Characteristics:

1. Constructed using Khondalite rocks.

2. Intricate carvings and sculptures.
3. Pyramidal roof with kalasa (finial).
4. Ornate doorways and windows.

Symbolism:

1. Sun Temple: Represents Surya's journey.

2. 24 Wheels: Symbolize 24 hours.
3. Seven Horses: Represent seven days of the week.
4. Erotic Sculptures: Celebrate life and fertility.

Conservation Efforts:
1. UNESCO World Heritage Site (1984).
2. Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) restoration.
3. International conservation collaborations.

Interesting Facts:

1. Built in 13th century CE by King Narasimhadeva.

2. Took 12 years to complete.
3. Originally had 22-feet-tall Aruna Stambha.
4. Survived natural disasters and invasions.

The Konark Sun Temple is an iconic representation of ancient Indian architecture and artistic
excellence.

9)Architecture features of shore temple of Mamallpuram

The Shore Temple of Mamallapuram, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Tamil Nadu, India,
showcases Dravidian architecture.

Main Architecture Features:

1. Dravidian Style: Characterized by pyramidal towers (Vimanas).

2. Temple Complex: Two shrines (Shiva and Vishnu).
3. Gopurams (Entrance Towers): Ornate gateways.
4. Mandapas (Halls): Assembly and worship halls.
5. Jagati (Platform): Elevated platform.

Architectural Characteristics:

1. Granite construction.
2. Intricate carvings and sculptures.
3. Ornate doorways and windows.
4. Simhakeni (lion-based) pillars.
5. Kudus (niches) with sculptures.

Notable Features:

1. Monolithic design.
2. Oldest surviving structural temple in India.
3. Carvings depict Hindu mythology.
4. Sculptures of Nandi (sacred bull).
5. Dvarapalakas (door guardians).

Symbolism:

1. Union of human and divine.

2. Hindu mythology carvings.
3. Lions symbolize courage.
4. Nandi represents devotion.
Conservation Efforts:

1. UNESCO World Heritage Site (1984).

2. Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) restoration.
3. International conservation collaborations.

Interesting Facts:

1. Built in 8th century CE by Pallava King Narasimhavarman II.

2. Originally part of a larger complex.
3. Survived tsunami and coastal erosion.
4. Influenced Southeast Asian temple architecture.

Key Measurements:

1. Length: 30.5 meters.

2. Width: 12.5 meters.
3. Height: 17.5 meters.

The Shore Temple is an iconic example of ancient Indian architecture.

10)Architecture features of shore temple of Brihadisvara

The Brihadisvara Temple, also known as the Peruvudaiyar Kovil or Thanjavur

Temple, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Tamil Nadu, India.

Main Architecture Features:

1. Dravidian Architecture: Characterized by pyramidal towers (Vimanas).

2. Temple Complex: Enclosed within a courtyard.
3. Gopurams (Entrance Towers): Ornate gateways.
4. Vimana (Tower Sanctum): 66-meter-tall pyramidal structure.
5. Mandapas (Halls): Assembly and worship halls.

Architectural Characteristics:

1. Granite construction.
2. Intricate carvings and sculptures.
3. Ornate doorways and windows.
4. Simhakeni (lion-based) pillars.
5. Kudus (niches) with sculptures.

Notable Features:

1. Largest temple in India (circa 1010 CE).

2. Unique monolithic Nandi sculpture.
3. Chola dynasty's architectural masterpiece.
4. Inscriptions on walls.
5. Beautifully carved Dvarapalakas (door guardians).

Symbolism:

1. Representation of Mount Meru (Hindu mythology).

2. Vimana symbolizes spiritual ascent.
3. Nandi represents devotion.
4. Lions symbolize courage.

Conservation Efforts:

1. UNESCO World Heritage Site (1987).

2. Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) restoration.
3. International conservation collaborations.

Interesting Facts:

1. Built by Chola King Rajaraja I.

2. Took 6 years to complete.
3. Original height: 66 meters.
4. Influenced Southeast Asian temple architecture.

Key Measurements:

1. Length: 240 feet.

2. Width: 126 feet.
3. Vimana Height: 216 feet.

The Brihadisvara Temple is an iconic example of ancient Indian architecture.