HINDU ARCHITECTURE

1. Hindu
Architecture
By:Shourya Puri

2. Architecture

3. Hindu Architecture
• Hindu Architecture addresses two kinds of buildings:
religious structures––temples and shrines––and non-
religious structures, civic buildings, business complexes
and residential homes. In Hindu culture, not only is the
home and family all important, but so is the actual
building where the family lives. Consequently, how a
physical building is designed and constructed is a matter
of deep concern. Hindu traditions tell us that there are

4. Overview Of Hindu
Architecture
• Not meant for
congregational
worship
• Concentrate on
religious and spiritual
• Made from rock
• Conservative

5. Overview Cont’d
• Vimana
• Shikhara
• Garba-griba
• Sanctum sanctorum
• Mandapa
• Ardh-mandapa
• Mandala

6. Temple Architecture
•Religious
– Astronomy
– Sacred geometry
•Representation of macrocosm and microcosm
•Has an inner sanctum: garba girha
•Sanctum crowned by a shikara
– Distinguishes the Nagra and Dravida styles

7. North Indian Styles

8. North Indian Styles
• Nagara style
• From Himalayas to the Deccan
• Shikhara – beehive shaped
– Capotas and gavakas
– amalaka
• Shrine is square at center
• Bell-shaped structure on main shrine

9. Lingaraja Temple
Rajarani
Temple
Jagannath
Temple

10. South Indian Styles

11. South Indian Style
•Dravida Style
•Shikhara – pyramid shaped
•Have different: ground plan; position of
stone deities; decorative elements
•Walls around whole building
•Different types: Pallava, Chola, Pandya,
Vijayanagar, Nayak

12. Pallava – Shore
Temple
Chola -
Brihdiswara
Temple
Pandya -
Chidambaram
Nayak –
Rameswaram
Temple

13. Historical Development
• The earliest worship centers
– Abu Simpbel
– Elephanta
– Ellora
• Horse shoe shaped window
• Originally inspired by the Buddhist Stupa
• The Great Stupa
• The Taj Mahal

14. Historical Development cont’d
• The Stupa
– Addition to the temple from Buddism
• Shilpa Shastra
– Point of reference
for architects
• Hindu temples
– Large temples vs.
mandirs:

15. Historical Development cont’d
• Shwe Dagon temple
• Temples Today
– Fundamentally the same as the 6th century
– Richly decorated

17. Thank you…..