Facts about Indian Architecture Part-1

It's interesting that humans have added their most significant creations on earth in the form of architecture as the comparative fields abounds from science to modern technologies.

This all started way back since humans started to live in community. Earlier to it humans were depended on rock shelters or primitive caves to safeguard themselves from wild animals, rain & sun. In India these caves are situated in different parts but somehow prolonged to longer duration as a staying facility in comparison to other parts of the world. 

Cave Architecture of India

The most significant Mesolithic to historical period habitation of humans example of cave architecture in India is Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka. These rock shelters are approx 760 in numbers and contain rock paintings. It is situated in the foothills of Vindhyan mountains in Bhojpur Raisen, Madhya Pradesh. The paintings are primitive in nature showing hunting scenes and various animals. 

Barabar Caves in Sultanpur, Bihar of approx 3rd century B.C are unique in many sense. Firstly, the known history of its makers are still unknown. These are 7 in numbers and meticulously chiselled out in big rocks on mountains some of it perfectly rubbed or polished that produces a glazing look. 

There are other unique Cave Architectures in India like
Ajanta & Ellora, Karla & Bhaja, Elephanta, Udayagiri etc. all over India. 

Wooden Architecture of India

In India wood is believed to be the best lasting raw material for any construction so is true as Indians use wooden utensils as well. At the period around 600 BC to 600 AD of 1000 years wood was used extensively for architecture in India. The Royal Palaces, Temples & houses were made of wood.

Just few ancient ruins of it are found after these long years but it's beauty can still be seen in modern wooden architectures of India. Monasteries, Temples and houses in Himachal & South India (Kerala, Tamil Nadu & Parts of Andhra Pradesh) are grand in manner but regular constructions from wood with other natural materials like mud, lime, glue etc. can still be seen in Indian villages. Even in small cities there are few houses which are made of wood, stone and concrete combined materials. 

Buddhist Architecture of India

Around 300 BC way after long gone era of Harappa and Mohenjo-daro-grand architectures of baked bricks with town planning, India once again started to build common majestic architecture with Buddhist influence as Stupas, Viharas & Chaitya etc. Majestic stone pillars and edicts of Ashokan period are till date fascinates the learners of architecture & sculpture. It continued till AD 300 of Gupta periods when Temple architecture initiated in India. Sarnath

, Sanchi, Bodh Gaya, Kushinagar, Vaishali, Kesariya, Shravasti, Amrawati, Rajgir, Nalanda etc. are numerous places in India where one can marvel these architectures. 

Temple Architecture of India

Philosophically saying a temple- means an embodiment or construction of the whole universe in materials. Temple architecture in India started around Mauryan period but it was in its early years. The major development in temple architecture started during Gupta period. Earlier temples were a square room made of either stone or bricks with an entrance for worship the deity inside at the centre. Sometimes it had a shikhara (a peak) on top. Two distinct styles 1- Nagara, 2- Dravida evolved in temple architecture in India- one in Norther and another one Southern India. Another mixed styled evolved out of these studied as Vesara. 

Nagara style

consists mainly Adhisthana(Base Platform),Jagati(Platform),Ardha Mandapa (Entrance Porch),Mandapa(Hall),Maha Mandapa(Great Hall),Antarala(Vestibule), Pradakshina(Circum ambul -ation),Garbhgriha (Shrine inside the Shikhara), Shikhara (Tower), Urushringa (Subsidiary Shikharas), Kalasha & Amalaka. The best examples of it is found in Khajuraho temples specially Kandariya Mahadeva Temple. 

Dravida style consists mainly Vimana, Garbhgriha, Columns, Central Plaza & Mandapas. One common characteristics of it is the pyramidal elevation of the tower (Vimana). The temples of Tamil Nadu
are majestic examples of Dravida style temple architecture. 

Vesara style temples are found in Karnataka. 

Apart from these there are few unique styles of temples are found in West Bengal ( Terra cotta temple architecture),
Odisha (Kalinga Architecture), Dilwara temples in Rajasthan are made in marble etc. Palitana Group of Temples- Gujarat, Rock cut Temples of Maharashtra, Temples of Hilly area of India are few combinations of these styles and use of local materials and techniques. 

Cont...