World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology

International Journal of Architectural and Environmental Engineering

Vol:13, No:12, 2019

Understanding the Architecture of Hindu Temples:

A Philosophical Interpretation
A. Bandyopadhyay

 the Upanishads and the Puranas, where the concept of soul

Abstract—Vedic philosophy is one of the oldest existing (Atman) was evolved. The souls are a reflection of the
philosophies of the world. Started around 6500 BC, in Western Supreme God and hence, in Hinduism there is no concept of
Indian subcontinent, the Indus valley Civilizations developed a ‘anti-God’. The divine play (Lila) is the play in which Brahma
theology which, gradually developed into a well-established transforms Himself into the world. Lila is a rhythmic play
philosophy of beliefs, popularly known as ‘Hindu religion’. In Vedic
theology, the abstract concept of God was formulated mostly by close
which goes on in endless cycles, the One becoming many and
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observation of the dynamicity and the recurrence of natural and many becoming One [2, p.220]. “…If we think that the shapes
universal phenomena. Through the ages, the philosophy of this and structures, things and events, around us are realities of
theology went through various discursions, debates, and questionings nature, instead of realizing that they are concepts of our
and the abstract concept of God was, in time, formalized into more measuring and categorizing mind” [2. p.100], then we are in
representational forms by the means of various signs and symbols. the midst of the illusions (Maya) of the universe. The soul
Often, these symbols were used in more subtle ways in the
construction of “sacred” sculptures and structures. Apparently, two
does some actions – known as ‘Karma’, and until it realizes its
different philosophies were developed from the Vedic philosophy and true (divine) nature, the soul continues in cycles in birth and
these two philosophies are mostly seen in the northern part and rebirth. This is dynamicity of the Universe. The main aim of
southern part of the Indian subcontinent. This paper tries to any soul is to attain release (Moksha) from the world of senses
summarize the complex philosophical treaties of Hinduism of (and the cycle of birth and death) and discover the ultimate
northern and southern India and seeks to understand the meanings of reality beyond.
the various signs and symbolisms that were incorporated in the
architecture of Hindu temples, including the names given to various
This philosophy of the Vedas, were elaborated in the later
parts of the temples. The Hindu temples are not only places of texts and the complexity of the philosophy was explained
worship or ‘houses of Gods’ like the Greek and Roman temples but through many symbols, diagrams and mythologies, which,
are also structures that symbolize the dynamicity and also spiritual today, forms a major volume of the Hindu religion.
upliftment of human beings.
II. PHILOSOPHY OF GENESIS
Keywords—Hindu, philosophy, temple, Vedic.
The Seers (Rishis) observed nature, the starlit dome of the
I. INTRODUCTION sky, the daily passage of the sun, the changing seasons, the
growing of crops and trees, the birth and death of animals.
V EDIC philosophy is one of the oldest existing
philosophies of the world. There are four Vedas, namely,
Rigveda, Yajurveda, Samaveda and Atharvaveda. The oldest
This led to a logical question – ‘Who created them? What was
there before the creation? And, how it happened?’
The Rishis asked questions and they observed nature to get
of the Vedas is the Rigveda. Rigvedic people were located in a logical answer to such questions. The answers were further
the region of north-west India-Pakistan possibly extending debated and more questions were asked to satisfy their
into eastern Iran or southern Afghanistan [1, p.297]. inquisitive minds.
Archaeological evidences prove the existence of civilizations The Rishis arrived at a concept of God who is Complete
in this region dating back to 7000 BCE (Mehrgarh in Indus (Purna) and nothing can be out (or extra) of Him. This God is
Valley). known as Purusha (the Supreme Consciousness), the primeval
The Vedic scriptures, being the most scared books of man, from whom creation emerged. He is the eternal male
Hinduism, span the complete range of culture of India from principle, the passive or fixed aspect of creation [3, p.318].
everyday life to the transcendental speculations of the This Purusha wished to be many– He dreamt– and thus,
philosopher. It talks about ‘Dharma’, which is not ‘Religion’ Prakriti is created. Prakriti stands for nature or matter, the
per se, but ‘a way of life’. The Vedas advocated the concept of active principle of creation [3, p.311]. Hence, Purusha is the
Transcendental Absolute God, Brahma, who is omnipotent, observer, and Prakriti is the observed. Purusha (with
omnipresent, omniscient and formless – hence symbolism of male aspects) creates without and Prakriti (with
incomprehensible. This God ‘desired’ to be many and thus the symbolism of female aspects) creates within. Thus, Prakriti is
universe is formed (Rigveda, book 19, hymn 129). The Vedic the primeval female. As opposed to Purusha, Prakriti is
doctrines was, in the later ages, followed by the Brahamanas, characterized by limited power, limited presence, limited
knowledge, limited truth, limited consciousness and limited
Dr. A. Bandyopadhyay, Professor is with the National Institute of joy. She is activated energy (Shakti), always in search of
Technology Raipur, and with the Department of Architecture, NIT Raipur perfection. She is tangible (Maya— Ma means ‘to measure’ in
(phone: +91 9826131726; e-mail: abandyopadhyay.acrh@ nitrr.ac.in).

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Vol:13, No:12, 2019

Sanskrit). She harbors pashu (pashya means ‘to see’ in IV. THE PHILOSOPHY OF TEMPLE CONSTRUCTION
Sanskrit, also meaning animals.). Temples are built to establish the contact between man and
The next question the Rishis asked, “What did He create God. The rituals and ceremonies performed in the temples
first?” have primarily influenced the forms of temple architecture.
The Purusha, as Consciousness, creates by ‘Thought’, (or The identification of divinity with the fabric of the temple
desire or imagination) and the ‘thought’ must be known or it and the reflection of the form of the Universe with that of the
must have some name, which could be uttered. form of the temple is of supreme importance. Hence,
Thus, the creation, the Rishis thought, as per a previous importance is given right from the selection of the site of the
creation, was a rhythm or vibration, which is the Shabda temple, to formation of the ground plan and also to its vertical
(sound) (Omkar). This is very similar to, “In the beginning elevation.
was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was The symbolic representation of the cosmic ideas is
God.” (John, 1:1, Bible, New Testament). By the virtue of formalized by creation of sacred mathematical treaties, with
evolutionary process, the universe with all the non-living precise measurement systems.
materials and living beings are originated. The plans of the temples are based on sacred geometric
The whole cosmos vibrates in the rhythm and thus follows a diagrams (Mandala) – symbolized as a miniscule image of the
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similar, cohesive unison. If that cohesion is maintained, there universe with its coordinated organized structure (as in Vaastu
is a perfect harmony or concord of the creation with the Purusha Mandala) (Fig. 1).
Universal Plan, otherwise it may create disharmony or
discord. Hence at the Prakriti level, all must be in harmony
with the ‘Rhythm’ of the universe (Brahmanda), and then only
those things will be congenial for spiritual and materialistic
growth.
The basic intension of the Vedic philosophy always
remained in knowing the Absolute Purusha, as then only
people can understand that they are equally divine as the
Purusha. This understanding may be achieved by “application
or concentration of the thoughts, abstract contemplation,
meditation, (esp.) self-concentration, abstract meditation and
mental abstraction practiced as a system” known as Yoga [4].

III. THREE TEMPLES – ONE THEME

Architecture of Cosmos becomes architecture of the
minutest and the architecture of minutest retraces the plan of
the Cosmos [5, p.15]. This is represented by:
1. The Vast Temple of stars – Arupa (non-morphic
principles). By observing the Universe above, one can
Fig. 1 Vastu Purusha Mandala [6, p.72]
understand the manifestation of God in the creation of
‘forms’ of the universe – the forms come out of the Astronomy and astrology provide the basis of determining
Formless. the appropriate moment of building construction and the
2. The Temple of Man – Rupa (anthropomorphic principles). temple acts like a miniature universe.
It is the search of divinity within the human body. Here In Hinduism, the attainment of spiritual perfection is
one can understand that the soul within the human body is through progression of various stages of consciousness [6, p.
a reflection of the Super Soul (Brahma). What is needed 66]. Thus, the temple is a place of transit, a ford or passage
is to unite the individual soul with the Super Soul. (Tirtha). The symbolism of passage through the doorways is
3. The Temple of bricks and stone, representing both cosmic represented by the idea of changeover from temporal to the
astral temple and the small human temple of feelings, perpetual. The sacred deities are placed in a small sanctuary
experience and aspirations. This is best represented by the within the temple known as Garbhagriha (womb chamber).
allegory of Vajra – ‘the thunderbolt’. As the formless The interior spaces of the temples are arranged to promote the
energy of the thunderbolt is observed through ‘forms’ of movement of the devotee from outside through a series of
light and sound, so also the incomprehensible, Formless enclosures which becomes increasingly sacred and dark as the
Supreme God may be understood by the ‘forms’ made by enclosure is approached [6, p.67]. At a general level, the
nature (galaxies, mountains, rivers, trees etc.) and by nomenclatures of the spaces, as one pass from outside to
humans such as in temples and idols. This is how inside of the temple, designates the various functions that are
Hinduism visualizes forms, or idols of various gods, supposed to be performed in those spaces. For example, as one
which are seen actually as manifestation of various enters from outside, the first space is the Bhoga Mandir,
powers of the Omnipotent God. which generally means the ‘offering space’, where the

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Vol:13, No:12, 2019

offerings, particularly, the food offerings are made to the astray, infatuating” [11]. This progression in spirituality is also
deity. Then one comes to the Nat Mandir, which is the reflected in the increasing volumes of spaces as one pass from
‘dancing hall’, used for performance of dancing and singing to the Bhoga Mandir to the Jagamohana. Beyond this is the
the God. Dancing, in Hindu philosophy, is a “protype of “womb-chamber” (Garbha Griha), which is approached by a
cosmic dance…(that) brings into play every portion of the small doorway as a threshold (Antarala), where the aspirant is
body in movement which symbolizes precise spiritual state… free from all confusions, pain and pleasure, a complete state of
(emulating) the return to the Sole Being from whom all things transcendence. The Garbha Griha is small and dark, imitating
emanate and to whom all things return to the ceaseless ebb and the confinement of a womb. This progression is symbolized as
flow of the life force” [7, p.273]. re-tracing the journey to the womb (of Prakriti). An embryo,
The space that comes next is the Jagamohana, which is in the mother’s womb, is like a threshold between Formless
used as an assembly space to look at the deity and after that and Form. The embryo is thus the closest physical form
comes the threshold (Antarala) to the sanctum sanctorum, the nearest to divinity– that is, being ‘one’ with the Purusha.
Garbha Griha (Fig. 2). The next level of spiritual upliftment is symbolically
represented by movement of spiritual energy upwards, as
vertical tower of the summit of the temple. The forms of the
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temples may be influenced by sacred mountains, with the

horizontal tiers, referred to a bhumi (meaning earth, soil or
levels) reinforcing mountain symbolism [6, p. 69]. The highest
point of the superstructure is aligned with the most sacred part
of the temple (Garbha Griha) and both are linked together
along an axis which is a powerful projection upwards to the
forces of energy which radiate from the center of the sanctuary
[6, p.70]. This implies progressions towards enlightenment, as
an axis to support the heavens (Meru), as the spinal cord of an
ascetic (Meru-Danda), as a Yupa, the holy pillar as per Vedas,
it also represents the churning axis of spiritual sea
(Samudramanthana) to get the jewels of Amrita
(deathlessness).
The capping placed at the top of the temple is known as the
Amalaka-kalasha, where Amalaka is the ring stone with a
“three-dimensional shape if the filaments of the lotus or of a
halo with its rays” [12, p.351]. In Sanskrit, Amalaka means
“the fruit of the Emblic Myrobalan (Phyllanthus emblica.)”
[13], which is used as a medicinal plant in folk and Ayurvedic
medicine. This “is reflected in the suffix officinalis. Perhaps it
Fig. 2 Plan and section of Lingaraja Temple, Odisha, India [8, was the healing effect attributed to the fruit ... that should be
modified] passed on to the architectural Amalakas as a kind of protection
or happiness promise.” [14], thus, symbolizing the “passage,
The nomenclatures of these spaces also describe the subtle
of exit from this worlds and entry into heaven” [12, p.352]; the
philosophical (or spiritual) venture that one has to pass
Kalasha (or kalasa) meaning a “vase’, a “receptacle of water
through while attaining the absolute knowledge of the
which is the foremost representative of life in general; water is
Supreme God. As one enters the temple, he/she comes to the
also allied to breath and all-pervading cosmic consciousness.
Bhoga Mandir. The term bhoga in Sanskrit means “any object
The heart of the devotee should be ready like the jar to contain
of enjoyment, as food, a festival etc.” also as “experiencing,
and hold the waters of truth and universal wellbeing. The jar
feeling, perception (of pleasure and pain)” [9]. This space
also contains the nectar of immortality — liberation from
signifies the first tier of spiritual upliftment, when the aspirant
conditioned existence” [15]. Thus, it symbolizes the Absolute
starts realizing that the world is a place of feelings (of pleasure
and timeless principle beyond repetition and relativity, and is
and pain), and all these are temporary in nature.
intended as a reminder of the ultimate goal of the journey that
Next, is the Nat Mandir, which symbolize the next level,
man embarks upon [6, p.68] (Fig. 3).
where the aspirant realizes the rhythmic dynamicity of nature
The architectural and sculptural motifs, in different sizes,
and “the whole universe is thus engaged in endless motion and
that appear on the body of the temple, along with the temple
activity; in a cosmic dance of energy” [2, p.249].
form itself, represents the rhythmic cycles of time and
The next stage of spiritual upliftment is where the aspirant
repetition of cosmic eras. The most important of devotional
realizes that the whole universe is bewildering and infatuating.
dynamism is circumambulation (Pradakshina), done in a
This space is Jagamohana (Jaga in Sanskrit means “the
clock-wise manner. As per Michell [6, p.66], the sacredness of
universe; the world [10], and Mohana means “depriving of
the image in the ‘womb’ expresses itself as a powerful force,
consciousness, bewildering, confusing, perplexing, leading
whose influence expands outwards in all directions. Hence the

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secondary images that are placed in the centers of north, west (representing the fire of sacrifice). This is represented by the
and south walls of the sanctuary are of great importance. As a first phase of the cyclic movement of the sun (ayana or aeon/
further extension of the idea of the emanating lines of energy ion) in the ascendant i.e. north-bound. Beginning from south-
towards the corners, images are placed on the corners too [6, east (Agni kona) via south-west (Nairit -- Plane of Vastu or
p. 66]. built environment), ascending the heights of evolution – path
of urge– through north-west (Vayu kona) (symbolizing power
or Shakti) to north-east, Issan kona (the direction representing
absolute harmony and contemplation). Hence Aryan (North
Indian) temples show a profile of ascent (Fig. 4 (a)).
The Dravidian (South Indian) principle is the principle of
descendent – symbolized by the movement of the sun towards
Dakshina (south). The Sun loses heat by going down to the
tropic of Capricorn – bringing rains. This signifies
composition, condensation and the art of forming the ‘gross’,
the ‘sculptured’ and the ‘tangible’ out of the intangible [5, p.
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37] (Fig. 4 (b)). Thus, the north-Indian temples the spiritual

journey is characterized by an increasing height of the temple
form as the user moves from outside to the inner sanctum. The
increasing height stands for expansion and rarefaction of the
‘Aryan Seer mind’. On the other hand, the south Indian temple
form begins with great heights (Gopuram – the tower of the
Fig. 3 Elevation of a typical temple of Odisha, India [6, p.15,
modified] cow) and comes down to a smaller inner sanctum representing
condensation, liquefaction [5, p.36-37].
Texts like Mayamata (literally meaning, ‘the doctrine of
measurements’) give the importance of mathematical
proportions in the temple building. Mayamata says, “if the
measurements of the temple are in every way perfect, there
will be perfection in the universe as well” [12, p.130]. Thus,
the time and place of construction of a temple, the directions,
the position of the sun and zodiac – all are superimposed over
each other to technically make the ‘rhythm’ of the temple at
unison with the rhythm of the universe. The Shukranatisara
talks of iconography and tells about the various Talas
(modules) in idol construction which also seeks unison with
the eternal rhythm.
The divinity of the temple is not only represented in the Fig. 4 (a) Sun of Ascent (Aryan principle)
sanctuary but also on the whole fabric of the temple. Thus, the
temple is not only a place of worship or to place the idols of
God within it, but also an object of worship.

V. NORTH INDIAN AND SOUTH INDIAN TEMPLES

Based on the astrological, astronomical and climatic
reasons, various different styles of temple construction are
observed in India. Categorization of the Indian temples is
found in many ancient treatises. Treatise like
“Aparajitaprccha suggests fourteen, collectively known as
Prasada Jati. Eight of the fourteen are identified as Pure
Order namely, Nagara, Dravida, Latina, Bhumija, Varata,
Vimana, Misraka (Vesara) and Sandhara. These divisions, in Fig. 4 (b) Sun of Descent (Dravidian principle)
South Indian treaties, are elaborated even further but are often
categorized under Nagara, Dravida, and Vesera variations” The Aryan principle of temple construction is the
[16, p.64]. These styles “are said to correspond to cardinal movement from earth – to water (through fire) – to air (life) –
divisions of India -- that is, Nagara in the north, Dravida in the to space beyond (Fig. 5 (a)), and the Dravidian principle
south, and Vesara in the east (especially in the temples at represents the movement from beyond – through space – into
Orissa” [16, p.65]. creation in the descendent (involution) and through ‘life
The Aryan (North Indian) principle is that of the fire giving waters’(Soma) [5, p.36-37] (Fig. 5 (b)).
Both styles of architecture strive to connect forms with

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Formless, individual with Universal, humans with God. https://www.hisour.com/amalaka-28450/. (Accessed: 28-Aug-2019).
[15] https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/kalasha. (Accessed: 25-Aug-
2019).
[16] V. Bharne and K. Krusche, Rediscovering the Hindu Temple: The
Sacred Architecture and Urbanism of India. Cambridge Scholars
Publishing, 2014.

Fig. 5 (a) Profile of North Indian Temple

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Fig. 5 (b) Profile of South Indian Temple

ACKNOWLEDGMENT
The author thanks the authorities of NIT Raipur for
permitting the author to present the paper at the Conference.
The author also thanks Mr. Upendra Singh and Mr. Sayon
Pramanik for helping in the preparations of the drawings and
formatting the texts. Last, but not the least, the author thanks
Dr. (Mrs.) Preeti Bandyopadhyay and Ms. Apurva
Bandyopadhyay for their encouragement for the preparation of
this paper.

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