Indian Architecture (Part 1)

INDIAN ARCHITECTURE

Indus Valley Civilization

Urban planning with Grid Layouts Advanced drainage systems, water supply, and public baths.

Use of baked bricks for construction

Ganges-Jumna Valley

Contains some of the principal cities of Architectural Importance

Delhi (The Rome of India) is a collection of of ruin sof different cities that covers nearly 50 square miles.

Delhi is therefore the center of India

ARCHITECTURAL CHARACTERS

I. BUDDHIST STYLES

A chaitya, chaitya hall, chaitya-griha, (Sanskrit:Caitya; Pāli: Cetiya) refers to a shrine, sanctuary, temple or prayer hall in Indian religions. The term is most common in Buddhism, where it refers to a space with a stupa and a rounded apse at the end opposite the entrance, and a high roof with a rounded profile.

Karli is noted for the nearby rock-cut caitya, or Buddhist sanctuary. The caitya is of the normal apsidal plan, 124 feet (38 metres) long, 46.5 feet (14 metres) wide, and about 45 feet (13.5 metres) high to the crown of its teak-ribbed vault.

STAMBHA OR LAT 

were columns on which were carved inscriptions, the top being crowned with emblems, such as the elephant and lion, often reminiscent of Persepolitan architecture (No. 13). The best known is the Lat at Allahabad, B.C. 250. ● pillars, usually erected in front of a temple, whether Śaiva, Vaishṇava, Jaina, or Bauddha, and carrying one or more of the symbols of the religion to which it was dedicated; the Buddhist Stambhas bearing the wheel representative of Dharma or the law, or Lions.

GREAT STUPA OF SANCHI - is a solid mound of brick- work, faced with stone and cement, and contains the relic near its base. It is 106 feet in diameter, 42 feet high, crowned by a "Tee" or relic casket, and is placed on a platform 14 feet high, surrounded by a procession path, railing and four gateways.

STUPA OR LATS

(Sanscrit sthupa = a mound), were mounds erected 

(a) to commemorate some sacred spot; (b) to contain sacred relics and then known as dagobas or receptacles for relics.

Parts of a Buddhist Stupa

1. Torana, elaborately carved, ceremonial gateway in Indian Buddhist and Hindu architecture with two or three lintels between two posts. 

2. Vedika, railing enclosing the stupa.

3. Medhi, a shallow berm ringing the base of the hemispherical mound.

VIHARAS

vihara, early type of Buddhist monastery consisting of an open court surrounded by open cells accessible through an entrance porch. The viharas in India were originally constructed to shelter the monks during the rainy season, when it became difficult for them to lead the wanderer's life.

II. JAINA STYLES

Dilwana or Dilwara Temple in Mt. Abu is one of the best example of Jaina style architecture. 

The Jaina Temple at Sadri which is approximately 200 feet square is sorrounded by a range of 86 cells, each crowned with a pyramidal roof. There are five shrines, one being central and one at each angle, and four open courts for the admission of lights. 20 domes, 24 ft in Diamter, supported on 400 columns are placed symetrically in sets of five forming a greek cross on plan

III. HINDU/BRAHMAN STYLES

Shikhara Temples: Characterised by a towering spire or Shikhara above the sanctum sanctorum (Garbhagriha). Found primarily in North India, examples include the Kandariya Mahadev Temple in Khajuraho.

Vimana Temples: Feature pyramidal towers over the Garbhagriha, typical of South Indian temples. Examples include the Brihadeeswarar Temple in Thanjavur

Dravida Temples: Large temples with elaborate Gopurams (gateway towers) and extensive pillared halls. Seen in South India, such as the Meenakshi Temple in Madurai.

Nagara Temples: Characterised by a curvilinear tower above the

Garbhagriha and often elaborate carvings. Common in North India, like the Sun Temple at Konark.

GOPURAM

Monumentally, usually ornate gateway tower of Hindu temples.

Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple

MANDIRA - A hindu temple.

Orientation: Shaivite temples (for Shiva, the destroyer) face east.

Vaishnavite (for Vishnu, the

preserver) temples face west.