HOA Module 4.1 Highlighted

HISTORY OF
ARCHITECTURE - II
MODULE 4
Module IV – Sem Exam Marks 20%
Indo Aryan - Salient features of Indo Aryan Temples. Examples - Lingaraja
Temple, Bhuvaneswar; Sun temple, Konarak; Khandarya Mahadev temple,
Khajuraho temple complex
INDO ARYAN STYLE
Most of the original structures of this type do not exist today due to wave on Non-Hindu
conquests in the Northern parts of India except in Gujrat, Khajurao, Bihar and Odisha.
Even the great temples at Varanasi and Mathura are reconstructions and do not have the
original structures built. Some of the existing excellent examples are of Khajurao Temple,
Konark Sun Temple, Lingaraj Temple and Jagantha Temple at Puri.
The Lingaraj like most Indo-Aryan Style is built as a series of four halls-a hall of offerings, (bhog
mandap), dancing hall (natmandir), a assembly hall (Jagmohana) and a sanctuary (Garvagriha or
deul).
The Odia architects were lavish with their exterior decoration, and their sculptures produced
works of great merit but the interiors are unadorned. In the larger temples the corbelled roofs of
the halls rested on large pilasters but pillars were not generally used and roofs were often partly
supported by iron girders.
Elevation has shikharas. Best example is Lingaraj
Temple, follows Kalinga style of architecture.
Flourished in eastern state of Orissa.
LINGARAJA TEMPLE,
BHUBANESWAR
Located at Bhubaneswar and was built by Jajati
Keshari during 11th century.
The temple was dedicated to Harihar (a form of
Shiva and Vishnu). The temple follows Kalinga style
of architecture.
It is believed to be the oldest and largest temple at
Bhubaneswar.
The Lingaraja temple faces east and is built
of sandstone and laterite.
The term 'Lingaraj' suggests 'the king of Lingas',
where 'linga' is the phallic form of Lord Shiva.
The aesthetic sculptures look at their apex in this
architectural exhibition. Erected in red sandstone,
Lingraj Temple has the stone of the darkest shade.
The huge temple complex covers the vast lands of Bhubaneshwar in a stretch. The tall spire of the
temple extends to the height of 55 meters and literally, dominates the skyline of Bhubaneshwar. The
spacious courtyard comprises 50 small shrines that are dedicated to several Gods of the Hindu
pantheon.
All the shrines are safe under the kind fortification made by the massive walls that are carved
beautifully with sculptures. One can enter the temple complex through 'Simha Dwara' (the Lion's
Gate), where lions flank both the sides, crushing elephants under their feet. An optical effect is
produced with the deep cut warped lines that run perpendicularly on the spire.
Actually, the temple is divided into four parts, the Garbh Griha, the Yajna Shala, the Bhoga Mandap
and the Natya Shala respectively. In the Garbh Griha (Sanctum Sanctorum), the lingam of Lord Shiva
is regarded as 'Swayambhu' (Self-originated) and it is worshipped as both Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu.
On the main entrance, one can see a trident (Lord Shiva) and Chakra (Lord Vishnu) on the either side
of the door. The concord of the two sects can be seen here, where the deity is worshipped as Hari-
Hara. The term 'Hari' refers to Lord Vishnu and 'Hara' refers to Lord Shiva.
This massive image of 'Linga' appears to be of
granite stone. Apart from Garbh Griha, the 'Nata
Mandir' provides a hint for its close alliance with
the devadasi tradition. Besides the Lingam, the
parsva devta adores the site, where Lord Ganesha,
Lord Kartikay and Goddess Parvati are placed in
different directions. All the images are huge and
present an excellent workmanship of the artists.
The images are festooned with rich draperies and
ornaments.
Lingaraj Temple depicts the rich legacy of Indian
culture and traditions. The colossal temple attracts
thousands of devotees and pilgrims to its doorstep
every year. The spiritual ecstasy offered by the
temple is worth feeling for once.
explain the architectural marvel of sun temple at konark
SUN TEMPLE, KONARK-

13th-century CE
The Sun Temple at Konark, located on the eastern
shores of the Indian subcontinent, is one of the
outstanding examples of temple architecture and art as
revealed in its conception, scale and proportion, and in
the sublime narrative strength of its sculptural
embellishment.
A masterpiece of creative genius in both conception
and realisation, the temple represents a chariot of the
Sun God, with twelve pairs of wheels drawn by seven
horses evoking its movement across the heavens.
On the north and south sides are 24 carved wheels,
each about 3 m in diameter, as well as symbolic motifs
referring to the cycle of the seasons and the months.
Between the wheels, the plinth of the temple is
entirely decorated with reliefs of fantastic lions,
musicians and dancers, and erotic groups.
The vimana (principal sanctuary) was surmounted
by a high tower with a shikhara (crowning cap),
which was razed in the 19th century. To the east,
the jahamogana (audience hall) dominates the
ruins with its pyramidal mass. Farther to the east,
the natmandir (dance hall), today unroofed, rises
on a high platform.
The design of the temple is a mixture of abstract and geometric forms that are refreshing to
mind and a feast to the eyes.
One of the main attractions of this temple is the 24 wheels which are carved around the base of
the temple. Each wheel is of about 10 feet in diameter with a set of spokes and elaborate
carvings.
The spokes present in the wheel create a sundial and the shadow formed on these wheels helps
in calculating the precise time of the day. The eight spokes present in each wheel also represent
the eight ideal phases of woman’s life. And the twelve pair of wheels denotes the twelve months
of the year.
There are three images of Lord Surya in three different directions of the temple that are
accurately positioned at the appropriate track to catch the rays of sun at dawn, noon and
evening. Thus the temple indicates the passage of time that is under the control of Sun god.
Dedicated to the Hindu Sun God Surya
Also called the Surya Devalaya, it is a classic
illustration of the Odisha style of Architecture
or Kalinga Architecture.
Twice as wide as they were high, the walls of
the jagamohana are 100 feet (30 m) tall. The
surviving structure has three tiers of
six pidas each. These diminish incrementally and
repeat the lower patterns. The pidas are divided
into terraces. On each of these terraces stand
statues of musician figures
The main temple and the jagamohana porch
consist of four main zones: the platform, the
wall, the trunk, and the crowning head called
a mastaka.
MAHADEVA TEMPLE, KHAJURAHO
The Khajuraho Temples located in the heart of Central India in the state of Madhya Pradesh were
commissioned by the Rajput rulers of Chandela Dynasty who ruled over central India from the 10th
to the 13th Century CE.
The temples were built over a period of 100 years followed with a belief that each Chandela ruler
built at least one temple in the complex during his lifetime. Besides this, there lies an impeccably rich
history of Khajuraho Temples.
The remaining 22 temples of the once 85 are spread over an area of approximately 6 square km.
They are broadly grouped into three categories depending on their orientation– the Western, the
Eastern and the Southern Group of Temples.
The western side of the site is the most popular area, which includes the Kandariya Mahadeva, the
largest Khajuraho temples dedicated to Lord Shiva peppered with 900 magnificent sculptures. It
represents Kailash Parbat, as the temple resembles a mountain range. The temple is believed to have
built by King Vidhyadhara after a successful war campaign.
Constructed on a plinth of 4m height, this tall structure
is built in the shape of a mountain, which is symbolic of
Mount Meru which is believed to be the mythical
source of creation of the world.
The temple faces the East and is built on a raised
platform that can be reached by steps. The temple has
many interconnected chambers which can be visited in
sequence.
Ardhamandapa, the rectangular entrance hall leads to a
central pillared hall called mandapa. The mandapa
leads to a dark area called garbhagraha.
The main tower and spire are above garbhagraha.
Inside garbhagraha you can find the marble linga
denoting Lord Shiva. Around 900 sculptures are carved
into this sandstone temple built on granite foundation.
The temple is known for its exquisite carvings on the walls, ceilings and pillars. The carvings depict all the four
necessary pursuits of life - kama, artha, dharma and moksha. The sculptures include that of animals and human
beings that denote various aspects of life like musicians composing music, farmers at work, etc.
SUN TEMPLE, MODHERA
There are two prominent Sun temples in India. One is Konark on the east coast in the state of
Odisha. And the other in the western state of Gujarat at Modhera.
Modhera Sun temple has 3 main parts. The main temple with a Garbhagriha and a mandapa
called Guda Mandapa, a detached Sabhamandapa, and a stepped water tank. When the temple
reflects in the waters of the tank it looks mesmerizing.
It’s reigning deity – the Sun helps enhance the beauty at its magic hours in the morning and
evening. Just behind the temple, the river Pushpavati flows. You can see some Keerti Torans on
the side of the temple. It is not a practicing temple as there is no idol left in the temple.
The temple is built using the locking system that is said to be an earthquake resistant method.
As in the case of an earthquake; the structure would shake but not fall.
The water tank or Surya Kund at Modhera’s Sun temple
is a stepwell on the eastern edge of Sun temple complex
facing the Sabha Mandapa.
It has pyramid shaped steps forming some intriguing
geometric patterns on the steps. However what makes
this tank distinct from other similar temple tanks, is the
presence of big and small temples on its steps.
According to literature, the steps of Surya Kund are a
stylized mirror image of the Shikhara that unfortunately
no longer exists. Symbolically it brought together the
fire and the water.
The Sabhamandapa is a diagonally arranged octagonal hall that welcomes you with its exquisite toran. Its best
feature is it’s magnificently carved pillars carrying Torana arches in alternate triangular and semi-circular designs.
Literature tells me there are 52 pillars denoting the 52 weeks of a solar year. The heavily carved pillars have
scenes from Ramayana, Mahabharata & Krishna Leela. This hall was used for public functions – religious or
otherwise like councils, performances or public meetings.
8 directions of the temple have deities of the 8 directions:
North – Kubera, the lord of wealth
North-East – Rudra – a form of Shiva
East – Indra or lord of Rains
South-East – Agni or lord of Fire
South – Yama, God of death
South-West – Nairiti – a form of Shiva
West – Varun or lord of water
North-West – Vayu or Lord of Air
Assignment
Sketch the following temples:
 Lingaraja Temple, Bhuvaneswar;
 Sun temple, Konarak;
 Khandarya Mahadev temple
The end

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HISTORY OF

SUN TEMPLE, KONARK-

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