Brief History of Hindu Temple

2.2 BRIEF HISTORY OF HINDU TEMPLE:

* The image of the presiding deity in the temple forms the conceptual centre of the temple as cosmos, from which the evolution of the cosmic process begins expanding outwards in all directions until a fully realized cosmos is manifested in visible form in the intricate details of the exterior of the temple.

* The central inner sanctum housing the main deity is known as garbha-griha and is dark, plain and without the complex details found in other parts of the temple.

* The essential elements of the plan of a hindu temple consist of an ardha mandapa, antarala (vestibule) and garbh-griha.

* In the large temple, however, balconied windows are added to the mandapa, turning it in to a maha mandapa (greathall).

* The larger temples also introduce an inner ambulatory around the sanctum.

* The temple in its elevation is considered an integral whole of three basic parts: the pitha (base) , the mandovara (wall), and the shikhara (spire).

* The pitha in its most developed form is composed of seven consecutive mouldings bearing repetition of different prescribed motifs.

* The mandhovara supported on the pitha is resolved into three major components: vedibandha (podium), jangha (the wall proper in the central zone) and the varandikha (eave and cornice).

* Above the central zone of wall proper rises the roof consisting of a series of graded peaks that resemble a mountain range to which a hindu temple is frequently compared.

* These peaks, arranged along the axial line, arise and fall alternately while maintaining the overall upward ascent, and culminate in the tallest spire ( shikhara), which is raised directly over the sanctum.

* The developed, more arrangement of subsidiary shikharas of various sizes attached to the main shikhara.

* The height of temple should be double its when, and the height of the foundation above the ground consisting of steps (over which the edifices built) equal to a third of this height.

* The sanctum sanctorum in width and twice as high.

* The side frame of the door should have a breadth of a quarter of its height.

* Similar should be the threshold and the upper block.

* The thickness of the frame is to be equal to a fourth of their breadth.

* A door consisting three, five, seven, or nine frames is highly comment.

* In the over part up to a being of a fourth of the doorpost, two images of doorkeepers being ornamented with the carvings of auspicious birds like swans and ruddy geese.

* Bilva trees,