SACRED GEOMETRY: ANALYZING GEOMETRY IN

INDIAN TEMPLE ARCHITECTURE

MR. ASHISH KUMAR JHA

SCHOLAR NO: 2012BARC023

A DISSERTATION SUBMITTED AS A PART OF THE REQUIREMENTS

FOR THE DEGREE OF BACHELOR OF ARCHITECTURE

DEPARTMENT OF ARCHITECTURE
SCHOOL OF PLANNING AND ARCHITECTURE,
BHOPAL.

9TH SEMESTER
YEAR: 2016
 SACRED GEOMETRY: ANALYZING GEOMETRY IN
INDIAN TEMPLE ARCHITECTURE

Mr. ASHISH KUMAR JHA

SCHOLAR NO: 2012BARC023

A dissertation submitted as a part of the requirements

For the degree of Bachelor of Architecture

DEPARTMENT OF ARCHITECTURE
SCHOOL OF PLANNING AND ARCHITECTURE,
BHOPAL.

Dissertation Committee

.
( ) Teacher-in charge
.
( ) co-teacher in charge
.
( ) Advisor/Guide
.

ABSTRACT

Nature displays profound preference for certain specific ratios to design her life forms.
These are geometric relationships that are transcendent and originated from Sacred
Geometry. Many earlier civilizations knew that the sky and the earth all follow the same
element of existence, 'the gods design' or 'sacred geometry'. Architecture itself has always
had a sacred meaning to all traditional civilizations through millennia, by which means
man has tried to provide for himself a manifestation of heavens. Architecture always
emphasized on Beauty, and by means of Sacred Geometry measured the proportions of
heaven and reflected them in the dimensions of buildings on earth. Its the building block
of nature thus, utilization of such a concept can aid in creating harmonic and unifying
structures and spaces.

This study aims to reveal utilization of basic sacred geometrical elements in aspect to
architectural form and space organization. In this consideration, architectural idea has been
taken up within the framework of form, space, and geometrical concepts throughout the
study of Indian temples.

Essentially, this work has three major objectives. The first is to look at the basic sacred
geometry elements which are based on the grammar of architectural form. The second
objective is to relate these components of architectural form and to show how to organize
them within the framework of geometrical rules. The third is to look at the examples of
building which have been designed according to sacred geometry concepts throughout the
history of architecture. As a result of this overview it is aimed to find some inspirations
from earlier or current buildings while analyzing or designing them geometrically.

Keywords: Sacred; Geometry; Architecture; Design; Indian Temple;

In the traditional world, geometry was inseparable from the other sciences of the Pythagorean Quadrivium.
The subject of Sacred Geometry means that everything is connected, alive and conscious. The view that
geometry had a ritual origin is a part of a wider view that civilization itself had a ritual origin, and therefore the
history of utilization of Sacred Geometry goes back to many centuries ago. For hundreds of years architects
have used Euclidean geometry in graphic descriptions of their structures. Architecture itself always had a
sacred meaning to all traditional civilizations.

Persian architecture emphasized on Beauty, and by means of Sacred Geometry Persians measured the
proportions of heaven and reflected them in the dimensions of buildings on the earth. By using mathematics,
Iranian architecture has achieved a high level of beauty and perfection. Geometry was used not only to solve
structural problems, but also in the details of the designs of various structures. Despite its extraordinary
richness, Islamic architecture has rarely been studied for its conceptual and symbolic significance. All the
elements of the Islamic architecture of Persia from the simplest architectural unit to a complex urban
environment are woven around this central doctrine and thus are best understood as multiple manifestations
of unity. This paper first will introduce Islamic geometrical patterns, say something about their characteristics
and origins and point the reader to a variety of resources on Islamic Patterns. Second it will be explained
about the use of the science of geometry in design of a number of Persian historical buildings. The geometric
factors upon which the design of these buildings, from both architectural and structural viewpoints, is made
will be discussed.
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The satisfaction that accompanies the successful completion of this project would be
incomplete without the mention of the people who made it possible. I consider myself
privileged to express gratitude and respect towards all those who guided us through the
completion of this project.

I convey thanks to my project guide Prof. of Computer Science and Engineering

Department for providing encouragement, constant support and guidance which was of a
great help to complete this project successfully.

I am grateful to Prof. Anil Desai, Head of the Department Computer Science and
Engineering for giving me the support and encouragement that was necessary for the
completion of this project.

I would also like to express my gratitude to Dr. U S Hampannavar, Director, Angadi

Institute of Technology and Management for providing us congenial environment to work
in.
 CONTENTS

CHAPTER TITLE PAGE

ABSTRACT i
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ii
CONTENTS iii
LIST OF TABLES v
LIST OF FIGURES viii
NOMENCLATURES xi
1 INTRODUCTION 1
1.1. Rational/Problem Statement 1
1.2. Literature Review 9
1.3. Research Objectives 13

2 METHODOLOGY 15
2.1 Experimental Set-up 15
2.2 System Modeling 19
3 THEORIES 23
3.1 Theoretical Background 23
3.2 Mathematical Model 26
4 DETAIL REVIEW OF LITERATURE 39
4.1 XXXXX 39

5 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 39

5.1 Simulation Program 39
5.2 Simulation Results 43
5.3 System Performance 47
6 CONCLUSION AND FUTURE WORK 50
6.1 Conclusions 61
6.2 Future Work 62
 REFERENCES 63

LIST OF FIGURES

FIGURE TITLE PAGE

1.1 Hourly load profile for a building with a conventional air
conditioning system on design day compared with three
thermal energy storage strategies. 6
1.2 Schematic diagram of building circuit for ice thermal energy
storage. 7
1.3 Schematic of direct contact evaporator tank. 8
3.1 Schematic diagram of the experimental set-up. 23
3.2 Schematic diagram of the experimental set-up for the ice
storage system. 25
3.3 The relation between pressure ratio of the compressor and
a function of mrTcp,i0.5/Pcp,i. 28
3.4 The relation between pressure ratio of the compressor and
a function of mrTcp,o0.5/Pcp,o. 28
3.5 The relation between mass flow rate of the refrigerant and
the polytropic index of the compressor in chilled water
system. 29
 CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION

1.1 DEFINITION OF THE PROBLEM

Scared Geometry is a formative idea in architecture. It has been used as design tool since
the very beginning of the architectural history. It is most common determinant of
characteristic in forms and aesthetics.

Sacred Geometry has been utilized on a broad range of spatial or formal levels in historical
architectural design. In architecture, application of sacred geometry includes the use of
simple geometric shapes, solids, and varied form languages. Architects have obtained
more complex forms and spaces by using these sacred geometrical elements.

Sacred Geometry basically consist of point, line, plane basic shapes such as triangle,
circle, square, etc., solids such as pyramid, cone, cube, etc. by mathematical aspect. Those
abstract elements have given a base to variety of geometries as conceptual through the
history. Also we could see all use of those elements in architecture currently. Those are the
elements which are directly affecting forming of space and architectural form. In other
words, those elements have added aesthetic, symbolic and conceptual richness to
architectural design.
Architectsuse those elements for replying different requirements (philosophic, aesthetic, or
economic) in various steps of design such as plan, section or fa9ade. Conceptual or
constructional process of building form could only be explained by geometrical elements
either pure or processed, or assembling with other elements in the way of principals of
organization. In architecture those basic elements are enlargedly utilized
both in two dimensional-planar elements and in three-dimensional-volumetric elements.
Noticing of those geometrical elements and organization principals helps architects to
utilize from geometry more effectively and adds the design much more reachness, and also
gains a new design approach.
To sum up, those geometrical elements are used as an important determinant that signifies
the character of composition of architectural form and space. Generation of form and
space by utilizing basic geometrical elements makes them important inputs in architectural
design. Generating the architectural form and space based on the geometrical rules and
abstracting them within basic geometrical elements make the resulted form more
understandable and recognizable.
1.2 THE AIM OF THE STUDY

Many architects throughout the history of architecture have always looked for ideas which
will give form to their work and direction to their design. A geometrically determined
definition of form and arrangements of parts made it possible for both architects to express
architectural ideas clearly and further, to allow for the development of sub-themes and
variations which could be understood against the strong underlying formal order.
Geometric ideas have become ground rules in the name of directing or making a complete
understanding of previous studies for architectural design. With respect to that, basic
geometrical elements are of utmost importance for generating of architectural form and
space. One of the aim of the study is to define and clarify those elements as vocabulary of
generating architectural form and space in conceptual meaning.

When we look at the history of architecture we see that there are many ways to organize
architectural form based on utilizing of basic geometrical elements. These principles of
organization of architectural form should be known by architects in order to design or
analyze their buildings. From this point of view, as a focus for study, one of the aim of this
study is to show the effects of geometrical concepts on generation of architectural form
and space, and establish a set of ground rules that guide architectural composition. In other
words, the aim of the study is to make utilization of those elements in relation to form and
space organization. Morphological relations of those either alone or conjuncting with other
elements are targeted for transferring it in understanable and applicable format to
architects or students. And these relations are abstracted and simplified to understand and
employ by architects and students.

Using of those elements in architecture makes a way of placing different disciplines such
as philosophy, religion, fundamentality, etc. in architecture easily. Also utilizing from
those either as processed or pure add some symbolic, philosophical, fundamental and
religious meanings to architecture. As a consequence, study are aimed to make entire
definement for clarifiying relationships between different disciplines. In other
words, study aims to achieve transferring theories being developed based on basic
geometrical elements to readers.

CHAPTER 2
METHODOLOGY

Study is constructed around three main parts. In the first stage, wishing is to make a
research on geometry as a supporting element in architectural design. At the second stage,
the study is attempted to define the characteristical structure and geometrization process of
architectural form in general meaning. At the end, basic geometrical elements in
conceptual meaning are researched for utilizing in space and form organization
processsing. Through the overall study, logical structure between three main parts is
efforted to explain around relations of cause and result.
In the first stage, primarily geometry was defined in mathematical discipline. After that
using of geometry in architectural design with encircling different types of geometry was
attempted to define. In this consideration, the questions of "why geometry is needed in
architectural design and how it is used, what reasons for knowing geometry by designer,
what contributions of geometry in space organization in conceptual meaning are", were
tried to answer. As a result of answering them, it was gotten that it would be limited the
study for become more clear. At this stage, in addition, basic geometrical elements were
specified as vocabulary of design and searched the possibility of application them in
various stages in architectural design.
At the second stage all doing was a definition of characteristical structure of architectural
form. In the era from Vitruvius to Eisenman, different ideas on origin of architectural form
and theories having been developed on architectural form were clarified. In respect to
above, basic geometrical elements toward use of geometrization of architectural form were
examined with a retrospective point of view and with foundation of major historical
periods. The pure use of these elements as point, line, plane, shape and solidwere clarified
with spectrum of added examples on study.

At the last part, onbasic geometrical elements having been clarified before were made a
research on utilizing came from assembling and processing of them. Conceptually, those
basic geometrical elements were worked for defining how they were combined,
recombined, organized or regulated systematically by using methods as rotation, shifting,
variation, inversion, and displacement. In this respect utilizing of those elements for
architectural design are branched in two main groups. Firstly processed use of only one
geometrical element and secondly assembling operations of any number andtypes of
elements were already researched.

CHAPTER 3
THEORIES

3.1 SACRED GEOMETRY

Sacred geometry may be understood as a world view of pattern recognition, a complex

system of holy attribution and signification that may include religious and cultural values
to the fundamental structures and relationships of such complexes as space, time and form.
According to this discipline, the basic patterns of existence are perceived as sacred: for
by contemplating and communing with them one is thereby contemplating the
patterning relationships of the Great Design. By studying the nature of these patterns,
forms and relationships and their connections, insight may be gained into the mysteries
the laws and lore of the universe Sacred geometry is the foundation of the design,
architecture, fabrication and construction of sacred structures such as temples, mosques,
megaliths, monuments and churches; Sacred space such as altars, temenos and tabernacles;
Places of congregation such as sacred groves, village greens and holy wells and the
creation of religious art, iconography and divine proportionality. Sacred geometry, art,
iconography and architecture need not be monolithic and enduring, but may be temporary
and yielding, such as visualization and nonpermanent sandpainting and medicine wheels
In sacred geometry, symbolic and sacred meanings are ascribed to certain geometric
shapes and certain geometric proportions. The basic belief is that geometry and
mathematical ratios, harmonics and proportion are also found in music, light and
cosmology. This value system is seen as widespread even in prehistory, a culturaluniversal
of the human condition. In the ancient world certain numbers had symbolic meaning, aside
from their ordinary use for counting or calculating . . . plane figures, the polygons,
triangles, squares, hexagons, and so forth, were related to the numbers (three and the
triangle, for example), were thought of in a similar way, and in fact, carried even more
emotional value than the numbers themselves, because they were visual. The study of
sacred geometry has its roots in the study of nature, and the mathematical principles at
work therein. Many forms observed in nature can be related to geometry, for example, the
chambered nautilus grows at a constant rate and so its shell forms a logarithmic spiral to
accommodate that growth without changing shape. The proportionately of sacred
geometry is particularly evident in the construction of flowers. Such correspondences as
portrayed in the above examples as further evidence of the cosmic significance of
geometric forms. Geometric ratios, and geometric figures were often employed in the
design of Indian architecture and Indian spiritual communities often constructed temples
and fortifications on design plans of mandala and yantra. The Sanskrit term mandala
roughly translates to "magic circle" or "sacred circle". Mandala, ancient and modern,
frequently offer beautiful examples of radial symmetry and contain elements of Sacred
Geometry.

Sacred Geometry is the set of geometric and mathematical rules of proportion and
harmony that Nature follows. When sacred geometry and architecture are married we
have examples of timeless and inspiring architecture

In nature, systems of patterns as geometric structures of form and proportion can be found
from the minutest particles to the greater cosmos. Life is interwoven with geometric
forms, such as the angles of atomic bonds in the molecules; the spherical shape of the cell
that itself develops with a geometric progression from one to two to four to eight cells and
beyond, the helical spirals of DNA, and the lattice patterns of crystals.
Reality, as Plato stated, consisted of Archetypal Ideas, or pure essences, of which the
visible world is only a reflection. Sacred geometry makes use of the visible forms to
describe these Ideas.
 CHAPTER X
CONCLUSION
The use of recursive procedures involving self-similar iteration and sacred geometry
elements in the construction of Indian temples according to ancient architectural traditions
has given rise to a very distinct architectural style. The form of this genre of architecture
results from an attempt to express certain concepts of Hindu philosophy about the cosmos,
using a symbolic vocabulary of forms, as well as construction procedures that also have
symbolic significance. Apart from being very interesting examples of the use of sacred
geometry in man-made objects, they are also significant in the manner sacred geometry is
used to convey specific meanings through the resultant form.

Sacred geometry puts forward the notion of sacred dimension, lying between the
conventional dimensions. No one who has experienced the majesty of Hindu temples can
deny that they managed to express a spiritual quality, perhaps giving to the viewer a
glimpse of the sacred dimension that lie beyond the dimensions of the physical world.

New applications of sacred geometry are constantly being found. It is not often one can
find applications of a new development by going back a thousand years in time. The many
Hindu temples all over India provide just this kind of rare opportunity and invite deeper
investigation and study of their forms by all those interested in sacred geometry and its
applications.