TEMPLES IN INDIA

What do you think of temple in this modern era. A place where people go and worship their respective deities. And you are right, temples are a place of worship. But for now lets focus on the integral part of temple architecture.

The design aim to integrate architecture with nature, the relative functions of various parts of the structure, and ancient beliefs utilizing geometric patterns(yantra), symmetry, and direction alignments.

The most essential parts of a ''Mandir'' are:

1.VAHANA: It is the vehicle(which carry or pulls) of god. Vahana denotes a mythical entity or an animal, a particular Hindu deity is said to use a vahana. 

                      Some deities  associated with their vahana:

                                                         Mahagauri - cow                    Vishnu - garuda

                                                         Shiva - nandi                          Kartikeya - peacock

                                                                                  Durga - tiger         

2.JAGATI: It is a raised platform for sitting and praying and is common in North Indian temples. It is also known as adhisthana. The sides of the adhisthana are often ornamented with relief sculpture, or deep cut mouldings. the term jagati in relation to the temple architecture or any sacred architecture denotes its base or socle.

jagati is the moulding above the upana. it may be rectilinear in form or it may be moulded in the shape of an inverted lotus (mahapadma).it is a very prominent moulding of the plinth.two main types of decorations are noticeable on the jagati:

1. If the jagati is rectilinear,its face is relieved with the figures of animals and birds. the animals found on them are elephants, lions, bulls, and vyalas in squatting, moving, playing and fighting postures. swans are also carved on the jagati.

2. In case of jagati in the shape of mahapadmas, big lotus petals are scalloped very neatly with double curved  and upcurled, pointed tips and edges. these lotus petals are sometimes even smoothened and polished.  

3.ANTARALA:Antarala is a small antechamber or foyer between the garbhagriha and the mandapa, more typical of north Indian temples. Antarala are commonly seen in chalukyan style temples in which the 'vimana' and the 'mandapa' are connected through the antarala.

4. AMALAKA:It is a stone disc like structure at the top of the temple and they are common in north Indian temples. The name and, according to some sources the shape, of amalaka comes from the fruit of Phyllanthus emblica, the Indian gooseberry, or myrobolan fig tree. this is called amalaki in sanskrit, and the fruit has slightly segmented shape, through this is much less marked than in the architectural shape.

The amalaka itself is crowned with a kalasam or finial, from which a temple banner is often hung.

It is seen as a ring gripping and embracing a notional pillar that rises from the main cult image of the deity below it in the sanctum, and researches up to heaven through the top of temple.

5. KALASHA: It is the topmost point of the temple and commonly seen in north Indian temples. A mandir kalasha is a metal or stone spire used to top the domes of Hindu temples. It is like a tree topper. It has been used for the purpose since the eras the Chalukyas, Guptas, and Mauryas.

In ancient times, temples carved out of stone had stone kalash. Many temples like Ellora Caves, Hampi and Mahabalipuram still have these stone kalasha. In South India, kalasha made of wood are common. Also, in small wooden temples used in homes by Hindu people, kalasha are carved of wood or made of metal. 

6. SHIKHARA AND VIMANA:  They are mountain like the spire of  a free standing temple. Shikhara is found in north Indian temples and Vimana is found in south Indian temples.

 Shikhara has a curving shape while Vimana has a pyramidal like structure.  A shikhara over the garbhagriha chamber where the presiding deity is enshrined is the most prominent and visible part of a Hindu temple. By contrast,  a Vimana is usually shaped as a pyramid, consisting of several stories or tala.

7. MANDAPA: It is the entrance to the temple. it may be a portico or colonnaded(series of columns placed at regular intervals) hall that incorporates space for a large number of worshippers.Mandapas  Dances and such other entertainments are practiced here. Some temples have multiple mandapas in different sizes named as Ardhamandapa, Asthanamandapam, Kalyan mandapam, Mandapa, and Mahamandapa. 

8. GARBHAGRIHA: A garbhagriha or sannidhanam is the sanctum sanctorum, the innermost sanctuary of a Hindu and Jain temples where resides the Murti (idol or icon) of the primary deity of the temple. From sanskrit words garbha for womb and griha for house.

Generally in Hinduism only pujari (priests) are allowed to enter this chamber. The room has a single entrance, normally facing east to be accessed by the rising sun, and no windows. It is normally square,and at least approximately a cube, with the representation of the temple's deity placed in the center, so that it can be seen by worshippers outside. Generally the garbhagriha is a windowless and sparsely lit chamber, intentionally created thus to focus the devotee's mind on the tangible form of the divine within it.