The 6 parts of a Hindu Temple
4 views
Skip to first unread message
Praveen
Feb 25, 2008, 1:25:47 AM2/25/08
to gsbKonkani
The architecture of Hindu temples evolved over a period of more than
2,000 years and there is a great variety in this architecture. Hindu
temples are of different shapes and sizes - rectangular, octagonal,
semicircular - with different types of domes and gates. Temples in
southern India have a different style than those in northern India.
Although the architecture of Hindu temples is varied, they mainly have
many things in common.
1. The Dome and Steeple: The steeple of the dome is called
'shikhara' (summit) that represents the mythological 'Meru' or the
highest mountain peak. The shape of the dome varies from region to
region and the steeple is often in the form of the trident of Shiva.
2. The Inner Chamber: The inner chamber of the temple called
'garbhagriha' or 'womb-chamber' is where the image or idol of the
deity ('murti') is placed. In most temples, the visitors cannot enter
the garbhagriha, and only the temple priests are allowed inside.
3. The Temple Hall: Most large temples have a hall meant for the
audience to sit. This is also called the 'nata-mandira' (hall for
temple-dancing) where, in days of yore, women dancers or 'devadasis'
used to perform dance rituals. Devotees use the hall to sit, meditate,
pray, chant or watch the priests perform the rituals. The hall is
usually decorated with paintings of gods and goddesses.
4. The Front Porch: This area of the temples usually has a big
metallic bell that hangs from the ceiling. Devotees entering and
leaving the porch ring this bell to declare their arrival and
departure.
5. The Reservoir: If the temple is not in the vicinity of a natural
water body, a reservoir of fresh water is built on the temple
premises. The water is used for rituals as well as to keep the temple
floor clean or even for a ritual bath before entering the holy abode.
6. The Walkway: Most temples have a walkway around the walls of the
inner chamber for circumambulation by devotees around the deity as a
mark of respect to the temples god or goddess.
2,000 years and there is a great variety in this architecture. Hindu
temples are of different shapes and sizes - rectangular, octagonal,
semicircular - with different types of domes and gates. Temples in
southern India have a different style than those in northern India.
Although the architecture of Hindu temples is varied, they mainly have
many things in common.
1. The Dome and Steeple: The steeple of the dome is called
'shikhara' (summit) that represents the mythological 'Meru' or the
highest mountain peak. The shape of the dome varies from region to
region and the steeple is often in the form of the trident of Shiva.
2. The Inner Chamber: The inner chamber of the temple called
'garbhagriha' or 'womb-chamber' is where the image or idol of the
deity ('murti') is placed. In most temples, the visitors cannot enter
the garbhagriha, and only the temple priests are allowed inside.
3. The Temple Hall: Most large temples have a hall meant for the
audience to sit. This is also called the 'nata-mandira' (hall for
temple-dancing) where, in days of yore, women dancers or 'devadasis'
used to perform dance rituals. Devotees use the hall to sit, meditate,
pray, chant or watch the priests perform the rituals. The hall is
usually decorated with paintings of gods and goddesses.
4. The Front Porch: This area of the temples usually has a big
metallic bell that hangs from the ceiling. Devotees entering and
leaving the porch ring this bell to declare their arrival and
departure.
5. The Reservoir: If the temple is not in the vicinity of a natural
water body, a reservoir of fresh water is built on the temple
premises. The water is used for rituals as well as to keep the temple
floor clean or even for a ritual bath before entering the holy abode.
6. The Walkway: Most temples have a walkway around the walls of the
inner chamber for circumambulation by devotees around the deity as a
mark of respect to the temples god or goddess.
Reply all
Reply to author
Forward
0 new messages