Hindu temple

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A Mandir is a temple for followers of Hinduism. A characteristic of most temples is the presence of murtis (statues) of the Hindu deity to whom the temple is dedicated. They are usually dedicated to one primary deity, the presiding deity, and other deities associated with the main deity. However, some temples are dedicated to several deities, and others are dedicated to murtis in an iconic form. Many temples are in key geographical points, such as a hill top, near waterfalls, caves and rivers, as these are, according to Hinduism, worship places and make it easier to contemplate God.

Etymology

The Tamil word Koil(Tamil Nadu) or Kovil(Sri Lanka) translates into 'The King's House'(Ko = king il = residence) and is used to refer to a distinct style of Hindu temple with Dravidian architecture.

In Sanskrit, the word mandira means house, palace, temple.

Nomenclature and orthography

The Brihadeshwara temple, also known as Rajarajeswaram, India's largest temple and part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site "Great Living Chola Temples".

The following are the other names by which temple is referred to in India:

  • Deul/Doul/Dewaaloy in Assamese
  • Mandir (मंदिर) in Nepali, Punjabi, Marathi, Gujarati and Hindi
  • Mandiram (మందిరం),[1] Gudi (గుడి), Devalayam (దేవాలయం), Devasthanam (దేవస్థానము), Kovela (కోవెల), Kshetralayam (క్షేత్రాలయం), Punyakshetram(పుణ్యక్షేత్రం), or Punyakshetralayam(పుణ్యక్షేత్రాలయం) in Telugu
  • Deul/Raul/Mandir(मंदिर) in Marathi
  • Deula (ଦେଉଳ)/Mandira(ମଦିର) in Oriya
  • Devasthana (ದೇವಸ್ಥಾನ) in Kannada
  • Mondir (মন্দির) in Bengali
  • Kshetram (ക്ഷേത്രം), Ambalam (അമ്പലം), or Kovil (കോവിൽ) in Malayalam
  • Koil, or kō-ail (கோயில்) and occasionally (especially in modern formal speech) Aalayam (ஆலயம்) in Tamil. The etymology is from kō (கோ) or lord, and il (இல்) home. (Besides meaning a deity's home, this term could also mean a king's home, since the term kō (கோ) is used interchangeably for royalty and divinity)

In Southeast Asia temples known as:

History

The oldest temples, built of brick and wood, no longer exist. Stone later became the preferred material. Temples marked the transition of the Vedic religion to Hinduism.[2] Archaeoastronomy in India provides us with crucial clues to the evolution of the temple and its many cultural functions.[3][4][5]

An early description of the temple plan is in the Brihat Samhita of Varahamihira. In the standard square plan, a vastu-purusa-mandala of 64 or 81 squares was first drawn.[6]

Mandir construction and mode of worship is governed by several Sanskrit scriptures called agamas, which deal with individual deities. There are substantial differences in architecture, customs, rituals and traditions in temples in different parts of India. [6] During the consecration of a temple the presence of Brahman is invoked into the main deity of the temple, making the deity and temple sacred.[6]

Architecture and alignment

Main article: Hindu temple architecture
Shiva temple, the main shrine of Prambanan, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the largest Hindu temple in Indonesia.
The cross section of Shiva temple, one of the largest Hindu temples in south-east Asia, Central Java

According to practitioners of Hinduism, the temple, through which contacts or relations are established among the states of being (humans, spirits, and gods), is a combination of the data of yoga, astrology, and sacred geography.[citation needed] In the temple structure, there are diagrams similar to the ones described for chakras according to yoga experience, with proportions similar to those deriving from the position of the stars.[citation needed]

All the Hindu temples in India follows the architecture defined in Shilpa Shastras.

The main parts of the temple include the garbhagriha, mandapa, pradakshina, shikhara and the antarala

Altars

South Indian style temple in Roermond, Netherlands.

In Hinduism, altars generally contain pictures or statues of gods and goddesses. Large, ornate altars are found in Hindu temples while smaller altars are found in homes and sometimes also in Hindu-run shops and restaurants. The word for temple is mandir (san: मन्दिर), the altar (and that which contains it, even an alcove or a small cabinet) as hypostatised temple.

In South Indian temples, often each god will have His or Her own shrine, each contained in a miniature house (specifically, a mandir). These shrines are often scattered around the temple compound, with the three main ones being in the main area. The statue of the God (murti) is placed on a stone pedestal in the shrine, and one or more lamps are hung in the shrine. There is usually a space to put the puja tray (tray with worship offerings). Directly outside the main shrine there will be a statue of the god's vahana or vehicle. The shrines have curtains hung over the entrances, and wooden doors which are shut when the Deities are "sleeping." Some South Indian temples have one main altar, with several statues placed upon it.

North Indian temples generally have one main altar at the front of the temple room. In some temples, the front of the room is separated with walls and several altars are placed in the alcoves. The statues on the altars are usually in pairs, each god with his consort (Radha-Krishna, Sita-Rama, Shiva-Parvati). However, some gods, such as Ganesha and Hanuman, are placed alone. Ritual items such as flowers or lamps may be placed on the altar.

Shrines are usually made of wood and have tiled floors for statues to be placed upon. Pictures may be hung on the walls of the shrine. The top of the shrine may have a series of levels, like a gopuram tower on a temple. Each Hindu altar will have at least one oil lamp and may contain a tray with puja equipment as well.

Temple tanks (Kalyani)

Temple pond at Chennai
Main article: Temple tank

Kalyani, pushkarini, kunda, sarovara, etc. are ancient Hindu stepped bathing wells. These wells were typically built near Hindu temples for bathing before prayer. Some are used for immersing Ganesha statues during Ganesha Chaturthi.

Customs and etiquette

The customs and etiquette when visiting Hindu temples have a long history and are filled with symbolism.

A bell (ghanta) hangs at the gate of many Hindu temples, which is rung at the moment one enters the temple.

Shree Ganesh Mandir Uttar Pradesh

Worshipers in major temples typically bring in symbolic offerings for the puja. This includes fruits, flowers, sweets and other symbols of the bounty of the natural world. Temples in India are usually surrounded by small stores called 'dukanam' (Telugu) or 'dukan' (Hindi) which offer them typically wrapped in organic containers such as banana leaves.

When inside the temple, it is typical to keep both hands folded together as a sign of respect. The inner sanctuary, where the murtis reside, is known as the garbhagriha. It symbolizes the birthplace of the universe, the meeting place of the gods and mankind, and "the threshold between the transcendental and the phenomenal worlds."[7] It is in this inner shrine that devotees offer prayers and salutations to the presiding deities. Devotees may or may not be able to personally present their offerings at the feet of the deity. In most South Indian temples, only the pujaris are allowed to enter into the garbhagruh.[8] In North Indian temples, however, it is more common for devotees to be allowed entrance.[8]

Chennakesava Temple of Vishnu at Belur, Karnataka, India

The mantras spoken are typically "Om Namo Narayana" or "Om Namah Shivaya" which mean "Obeisance to Narayana (vishnu)" or "Salutations to Shiva". These are followed by a series of shlokas or verses from the holy texts such as the Bhagavad Gita, Upanishads or Vedas. Upon the conclusion of prayer, devotees get down on their knees or even fall flat on their stomach and bow before the symbol of the deity. If a pujari is present, they are likely to provide sacred symbolically blessed food, prasad to the devotee. He may also apply a holy red mark called 'tilak' to the forehead of the devotee symbolising blessings.

Finally the worshiper or visitor walks clockwise around the innermost sanctum, or garbhagriha, stop once on each side, close their eyes and pray to the All Loving Being. The worshiper may receive a sprinkling of the water from the holy river Ganges while the 'pujari' states "Om Shanti" which means "peace be unto all".

During religious holidays, temples may be swarmed with devotees chanting and praying loudly. There may be facilitators called 'paandaas' who help visitors navigate through the crowds and complete the pujas quickly.

Temple management staff typically announce the hours of operation, including timings for special pujas. These timings, due to the vast diversity in Hinduism, vary from temple to temple. For example, some temples may perform aarti once or twice per day, while other temples, such as those part of Swaminarayan movement, may perform aarti five times per day. Additionally, there may be specially allotted times for devotees to perform circumambulations (or pradakshina) around the outside of the temple.[8] There are also timings for devotional songs or music called bhajans, which are accompanied by a dholak or tabla soloist and/or harmonium soloist. There are dates and times for devotional dances such as the classical Bharata Natyam dance performed by accomplished performers.

Visitors and worshipers to Hindu temples are required to remove shoes and other footwear before entering. Most temples have an area designated to store footwear. Additionally, it may be customary, particularly at South Indian temples, for men to remove shirts and to cover pants and shorts with a traditional cloth known as a Vasthiram.[9]

The Hindu religion teaches that all life-forms are created by Brahma and that humankind needs to share the world with the animal kingdom. Temple often provide shelter to animals.

South Indian temples

The gopuram (tower) of the Thillai Natarajar Temple, a typical South Indian temple complex in Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu.
Koneswaram Temple a 6th Century BCE Tamil Saivate temple in Tirukonamalai, Sri Lanka.

Famous South Indian temples are:

North Indian temples

Hindu temple at Tilla Jogian, Pakistan

Most temples in North Indian rituals are very simple in stark contrast to South Indian temples which have elaborate rituals.. Also North Indian temples often tend to be less orthodox and in many cases everybody are permitted to enter the innermost sanctum of the deity and worship the deity personally. In such cases, the deity is not adorned with valuable jewelry. The innermost heart of the temple is the sanctum where the deity (usually of fixed stone) is present, followed by a large hall for lay worshipers to stand in and obtain "Darśana" or divine audience. There may or may not be many more surrounding corridors, halls etc. However there will be space for devotees to go around the temple in clock wise fashion circumambulation as a mark of respect. In North Indian temples, the tallest towers are built over the sanctum sanctorum. Many old and big temples were destroyed during Islamic Rule in India.

One example of a type of more elaborate North Indian temple is the style of temple known as the Shikharbaddha Mandir found in Northern and Western India, and particularly famous in the Swaminarayan Hindu tradition. These temples have towers, or shikharas, built over the sanctum sanctorum, in which the deity is installed.[10]

Cave Temples

Ellora Temple, Maharashtra (India)

A significant Stone Cut Architecture was evolved in Maharashtrian Temple style in 1st millennium. The Temples are carved out from single stone as complete temple or will be carved in as Cave which would look like interior of a temple. Ellora Temple is 1example of former while Elephanta Caves would be example of latter style. Ellora (Marathi: वेरूळ Vērūḷ) also known as Ellooru, is an archaeological site, 29 km (18 mi) North-West of the city of Aurangabad in the Indian state of Maharashtra built by the Rashtrakuta dynasty. Well known for its monumental caves, Ellora is a World Heritage Site. The Elephanta Caves (Marathi: घारापुरीची लेणी, Gharapurichya Lenee) are a network of sculpted caves located on Elephanta Island, or Gharapuri (literally "the city of caves") in Mumbai Harbour, 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) to the east of the city of Mumbai in the Indian state of Maharashtra. The island, located on an arm of the Arabian Sea, consists of two groups of caves—the first is a large group of five Hindu caves, the second, a smaller group of two Buddhist caves. The Hindu caves contain rock cut stone sculptures, representing the Shaiva Hindu sect, dedicated to the god Shiva.

Temples in Odisha

Odisha is known as the Land of Temples.[11] Temple architecture in Odisha evolved over a long period of time. Stipulated architectural principles with ample provision for artistic improvisation enabled the progressive generations. Temples in Odisha are based on certain fundamental principles of stability and take their cue from the human body. The superstructure is basically divided into three parts, the Bāḍa (Lower Limb), the Ganḍi (Body) and the Cuḷa/Mastaka (Head). Accordingly each part is given a different treatment throughout, from the architecture to the final ornamentation of the Temple.

Kalinga architecture is a style which flourished in the ancient Kalinga region or present eastern Indian state of Orissa and northern Andhra Pradesh. The style consists of three distinct types of temples: Rekha Deula, Pidha Deula and Khakhara Deula. The former two are associated with Vishnu, Surya and Shiva temples while the third is mainly with Chamunda and Durga temples. The Rekha Deula and Khakhara Deula houses the sanctum sanctorum while the Pidha Deula constitutes outer dancing and offering halls.

Shri Jagannath Temple, Puri

Some famous temples, e.g. Jagannath temple at Puri, Sun temple at Konark, and Lingaraj temple at Bhubaneswar are found in Odisha. These temples are over 1,200 years old. In Bhubaneswar, around 10,000 temples are present which represents strong Hinduism in Odisha.

Bhubaneswar is known as temple city (mandira malini nagri) of India.

There are 3 Main Styles

Rekha Deula

Rekha means line in Sanskrit. It is a tall building with a shape of sugar loaf, looking like a sikhara. It covers and protects the sanctum sanctorum (garba griha).

Examples:

Pidha Deula

It is a square building with a pyramid-shaped roof, like the vimanas. For the halls or service rooms of the temple.

Examples:

Khakhara Deula

It is a rectangular building with a truncated pyramid-shaped roof, like the gopuras. The name comes from Khakharu (=canteen (bottle)) because of the shape of the roof. The temples of the feminine deities as Shakti are temple of that

Examples:

See also: List of temples in Bhubaneswar

Temples of Goa and other Konkani temples

Saptakoteshwar Temple and the Kavi murals, Narve, Goa

The temple architecture of Goa is quite unique. As part of Inquisition of Goa, the Portuguese demolished more than 1000 temples on Island of Goa. New temples were later built in the areas in Goa which were not parts of Portuguese kingdom, and were under reign of Hindu princely states. Thus these temples are not more than 500 years old, and are a unique blend of original Goan temple architecture, Dravidian, Nagar and Hemadpanthi temple styles with some British and Portuguese architectural influences. Goan temples were built using sedimentary rocks, wood, limestone and clay tiles as well as copper sheets were used for the roofs. These temples were decorated with mural art called as Kavi kala or ocher art.The interiors were decorated with such murals as well as exquisite wood carvings depicting scenes from the Hindu mythology.

Temples in West Bengal and Bangaladesh

Dakshineswar Kali Temple, Kolkata
Krishna-Gouranga (char-chala style) temple at Bishnupur, Bankura

In West Bengal and Bangaladesh, temple architecture has assumed a unique identity and evolved into the Bengali terra cotta temple architecture. Due to lack of suitable stone in the alluvial Gangetic delta, the temple makers had to resort to other materials instead of stone. This gave rise to using terracotta as a medium for temple construction. Terracotta exteriors with rich carvings are a unique feature of Bengali temples. The town of Vishnupur in West Bengal is renowned for this type of architecture.

Usually a part of the intended total motif was carved by hand on one side of a brick and then baked. While under construction, these carved bricks were arranged to make up the entire motif.

The Bengali style of temple is usually not luxurious. Rather, most are modeled on simple thatched-roof earthen huts used as dwellings by commoners. This can be attributed to the popularity of bhakti cults which taught people to view gods as close to themselves. Thus, various styles like do-chala, char-chala, and aat-chala sprang up. However, there is also a popular style of building known as Navaratna (nine-towered) or Pancharatna (five-towered) in Bengal which is more luxurious than the Chala buildings. A typical example of Navaratna style is the Dakshineswar Kali Temple.

The Kalighat Kali Temple In Kalighat is built in the traditional Bengali architectural style.

Hindu Temples in Cambodia

Angkor Wat temple in Siem Reap, Cambodia

Angkor Wat (Khmer) is the largest Hindu temple complex in the world. The temple was built by King Suryavarman II in the early 12th century in Yasodharapura (Khmer, present-day Angkor), the capital of the Khmer Empire, as his state temple and eventual mausoleum. Breaking from the Shaiva tradition of previous kings, Angkor Wat was instead dedicated to Vishnu. As the best-preserved temple at the site, it is the only one to have remained a significant religious centre since its foundation – first Hindu, dedicated to the god Vishnu, then Buddhist. The temple is at the top of the high classical style of Khmer architecture. It has become a symbol of Cambodia, appearing on its national flag, and it is the country's prime attraction for visitors.

Hindu Temples in Indonesia

Balinese temple is designed as an open-air worship compounds

Hindu temples of ancient Java, Indonesia, bear resemblances with temples of South Indian style. However later ancient Javanese art and architecture developed its own style. The fine example of 9th century Javanese Hindu temple is the towering Trimurti temple of Prambanan in Yogyakarta. In Bali, unlike the common towering indoor Indian Hindu temple, Pura (Balinese temple) is designed as an open-air worship place within enclosed walls, connected with series of intricately decorated gates to reach its compounds. The design, plan and layout of the holy pura is followed the "Trimandala" concept, three mandala zone arranged according to the hierarchy of its sacredness.

Hindu Temples outside of South Asia

BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir at Chicago, Illinois, USA
Iraivan Temple, Hawaii, USA
Sri-Kamadchi-Ampal-Tempel in Hamm, Germany
Many members of the South Asian diaspora have established Hindu mandirs outside India as a means of preserving and celebrating cultural and spiritual heritage abroad. Describing the hundreds of mandirs that can be found throughout the United States, scholar Gail M. Harley observes, “The temples serve as central locations where Hindus can come together to worship during holy festivals and socialize with other Hindus. Temples in America reflect the colorful kaleidoscopic aspects contained in Hinduism while unifying people who are disbursed throughout the American landscape.”[12]

Numerous mandirs in North America and Europe have gained particular prominence and acclaim. The Shiva-Vishnu Temple at Livermore in San Francisco Bay Area, for example, attracts tens of thousands of visitors each year for a variety of cultural and religious events. The B.A.P.S. organization has built over sixty mandirs in North America, as well as numerous temples in Europe. The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir London, for example, has been recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as the largest traditional Hindu temple outside India, and has been constructed according to Vedic architectural standards.[13] The temples constructed in this traditional style of temple architecture are known as Shikharbaddha Mandirs.[14]

Another example of a Swaminarayan Shikharbaddha Mandir is the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir Toronto, which is the largest Hindu temple in Canada. The Radha Madhav Dham temple, established by Jagadguru Shree Kripaluji Maharaj, is one of the largest Hindu Temple complexes in the Western Hemisphere,[15] and the largest in North America.[16][17][18]

Temple Management and erosion of Autonomy by control of states and Law

The Archeological Survey of India has control of most ancient temples of archaeological importance in India.

In India, theoretically, a temple is managed by a temple board committee that administers its finances, management and events.

However since independence, the autonomy of individual Hindu religious denominations to manage their own affairs with respect to temples of their own denomination have been severely eroded. State governments of many states in India (and especially all the states in South India) have gradually increased their control over all Hindu temples. Over decades, by enacting various laws which have been fought both successfully and unsuccessfully up to the Supreme court of India, politicians of the ruling parties especially in the southern states control every aspect of temple management and functioning. The Harekrishna temples made a landmark of 108 temples during the days of its founder-acharya SrilaPrabhupada.

See also

Media related to Hindu temples at Wikimedia Commons

References

  1. ↑ http://www.mustseeindia.com/Tirupati-Sri-Venkateswara-Dhyana-Vignan-Mandiram/attraction/11357
  2. ↑ Subhash Kak, Early Indian Architecture and Art. Migration & Diffusion, Vol.6/Nr.23, pages 6-27, 2005.
  3. ↑ J.M. Malville and L.M. Gujral, Ancient Cities, Sacred Skies. New Delhi, 2000.
  4. ↑ Rana P.B. Singh, Cosmic Order and Cultural Astronomy. Cambridge Scholars Publishing, 2009.
  5. ↑ Subhash Kak, Visions of the cosmos. Journal of Cosmoloy, vol. 9, pp. 2063-2077, 2010.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Stella Kramrisch, The Hindu Temple. University of Calcutta, Calcutta, 1946.
  7. ↑ Werner, Karel (1994). A Popular Dictionary of Hinduism. Curzon Press. ISBN 0-7007-1049-3.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 Narayanan, Vasudha. "The Hindu Tradition". In A Concise Introduction to World Religions, ed. Willard G. Oxtoby and Alan F. Segal. New York: Oxford University Press, 2007
  9. ↑ Bain, Keith, Pippa Bryun, and David Allardice. Frommer’s India. 1st. New Jersey: Wiley Publishing, 2010. Page 75
  10. ↑ Williams, Raymond (2001). Introduction to Swaminarayan Hinduism. Cambridge University Press. pp. 123–136. ISBN 978-0-521-65422-7. 
  11. ↑ http://travel.financialexpress.com/201201/market22.shtml
  12. ↑ Harley, Gail M (2003). Hindu and Sikh Faiths in America. Facts on File, Inc. ISBN 0-8160-4987-4.
  13. ↑ BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha, UK – Awards – BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, London. Mandir.org. Retrieved on 2011-11-10.
  14. ↑ Kim, Hanna (2009). "Public Engagement and Personal Desires: Baps Swaminarayan Temples and Their Contribution to the Discourses on Religion". International Journal of Hindu Studies 13 (3): 370. 
  15. ↑ Vedic Foundation Inaugurated at Barsana Dham, Austin. Retrieved Dec 15th, 2011.
  16. ↑ Ciment, J. 2001. Encyclopedia of American Immigration. Michigan: M.E. Sharpe
  17. ↑ Hylton, H. & Rosie, C. 2006. Insiders' Guide to Austin. Globe Pequot Press.
  18. ↑ Mugno, M. & Rafferty, R.R. 1998. Texas Monthly Guidebook to Texas. Gulf Pub. Co.

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