Science of Architecture
India's temple architecture is developed from the sthapathis' and shilpis' creativity. In general these are from the Vishwakarma (caste). A small Hindu temple consists of an inner sanctum, the garbha griha or womb-chamber, in which the image is housed, often circumambulation, a congregation hall, and possibly an antechamber and porch. The sanctum is crowned by a tower-like shikara. At the turn of the first millennium CE two major types of temples existed, the northern or Nagara style and the southern or Dravida type of temple. They are distinguishable by the shape and decoration of their shikharas (Dehejia 1997).
From conception to completion, the Hindu ethos for building a mandir requires that nature is appeased through various rites performed during the different stages of the mandir construction.
Khatmuhurt: –
The land is first inspected and its soil tested for suitability for the structure proposed. The actual ritual involves the paying of homage to the land and performing prayers to seek permission of earth to disturb its natural state for construction.
Shilanyas: –
The foundations are first dug and below the garbhagruha, a small pot containing sacraments is ceremoniously placed. This creates awareness that nature is a dynamic ecosystem and man is to live harmoniously with other life forms.
The Hindu mathematician sees within the design a complex pattern of mathematics and geometrics that link the mandir to the universe and its component stars, planets and galaxies. Underneath the intricate artistic sculpture lies the foundation of regular shapes. Hence, the birth of geometry and numeracy arose from the need to build mandirs of perfect proportions.
Traditionally, all the masonry of such a mandir is loadbearing in itself, with no reinforcement from ferrous metals, such as steel in its foundation or structure. This in itself extends the life of the mandir to over a thousand years due to absence of erosion through temperature variations or corrosion of steel. The cantilevered dome is believed to be the only one in Britain that does not use steel or lead. The ferrous metals concentrate the earth's magnetic field, which impedes meditation.
Concept of Murtis:-
When a Hindu visits a mandir, he or she goes there for 'darshan' which loosely translated means 'seeing' of the sacred murtis (images). However, to the initiated, it has a more profound meaning and implies being in close proximity with God and beholding His divine form. Murti puja has always been synonymous with the Hindu tradition and for thousands of years; Hindus have practiced the adoration and reverence of sacred murtis as a form of devotion.
In order to appreciate this unique form of devotion, one needs to look at the philosophy and mystique pertaining to murti puja. The ancient sages, realizing the difficulties in controlling the mind sanctioned murti puja to enable devotees to focus on a murti – a medium aiding concentration. In the Bhagwad Gita (12/5), Shri Krishna strengthens this point by stating that it is difficult for those whose minds are attached only to the impersonal aspect of the Supreme to make spiritual progress.
