Hinduism Architecture
Hinduism Architecture
Hinduism is a predominant religion of the Indian subcontinent. It begins simply by differentiating between matter and spirit and the theology of the religion is based upon three main truths, God, Matter and Soul (Richard Blurton, 1992). It is also a conglomeration of intellectual and philosophical points of view, rather than inelastic common sets of beliefs. Hinduism believes in the real self which is called the “atma” is distinct from the temporary body made of matter or “Prakrit” ( Richard Blurton, 1992). Hinduism dates back to the early Harappan period (5500-2600BCE) and its beliefs and practises during the pre-classical era are known as the Historical Vedic religion. Many Hindu ideas and thoughts are greatly reflected in the Hindu architecture.
Hindu architecture bear witness to the strong spirituality of India. Hindu architecture is known as Vastu Shastra. In Sanskrit the word “vaastu” means a building or structure and so the expression “vaastu shastra” is the science of structure (Raj Kumar 2003). Hindu Architecture addresses two kinds of buildings, religious structures including temples and shrines and non-religious structures including civic buildings and residential homes (Raj Kumar, 2003). It is believed that astrology plays an important part in Hinduism theology and also Hinduism architecture and follows three principles. The first is the idea that the world is the body of God. A sacred structure such as a temple is designed to be not just the home of God, but the actual body of God. The second principle concerns the relationship between the macrocosm and the microcosm where the temple is compared to the large universe. The third principle teaches that the part always contains within itself the whole. The design of a building should align with the universe so that we control the forces of the universe within that building (Veylanswami, 2009).
The Hindu temples are designed to represent a cosmic mountain that serves as the
Hinduism is a predominant religion of the Indian subcontinent. It begins simply by differentiating between matter and spirit and the theology of the religion is based upon three main truths, God, Matter and Soul (Richard Blurton, 1992). It is also a conglomeration of intellectual and philosophical points of view, rather than inelastic common sets of beliefs. Hinduism believes in the real self which is called the “atma” is distinct from the temporary body made of matter or “Prakrit” ( Richard Blurton, 1992). Hinduism dates back to the early Harappan period (5500-2600BCE) and its beliefs and practises during the pre-classical era are known as the Historical Vedic religion. Many Hindu ideas and thoughts are greatly reflected in the Hindu architecture.
Hindu architecture bear witness to the strong spirituality of India. Hindu architecture is known as Vastu Shastra. In Sanskrit the word “vaastu” means a building or structure and so the expression “vaastu shastra” is the science of structure (Raj Kumar 2003). Hindu Architecture addresses two kinds of buildings, religious structures including temples and shrines and non-religious structures including civic buildings and residential homes (Raj Kumar, 2003). It is believed that astrology plays an important part in Hinduism theology and also Hinduism architecture and follows three principles. The first is the idea that the world is the body of God. A sacred structure such as a temple is designed to be not just the home of God, but the actual body of God. The second principle concerns the relationship between the macrocosm and the microcosm where the temple is compared to the large universe. The third principle teaches that the part always contains within itself the whole. The design of a building should align with the universe so that we control the forces of the universe within that building (Veylanswami, 2009).
The Hindu temples are designed to represent a cosmic mountain that serves as the