write a short note on temple art and sculpture from 8th century A.D. to 10th century A.D.
Answers
Answer:
Explanation:
In this mega-article, we shall discuss about the Indian temple architecture and sculpture in detail. This post is a part of the Indian Culture compilation based on the NCERT text book ‘An Introduction to Indian Art’ – Part 1. In the previous articles we have discussed about the Later Mural Traditions, Post Mauryan Trends in Indian Art and Architecture, Arts of the Mauryan Period, Arts of Indus Valley Civilization, etc. In this post we deal with major topics like Nagara Temple Architectural Style, Dravida Temple Architectural Style, Vesara Temple Architectural Style, etc. and the sculptures associated with them. We will also see Buddhist and Jain architecture.
Basic form of a Hindu temple
When you browse our earlier articles on Hindu Temple Architecture, you would realize one thing. It was a gradual evolution starting from the rock cut- cave temples to monolithic rathas which finally culminated in structural temples.The basic form of a Hindu structural temple consists of the following.
1. Garbhagriha:
It literally means ‘womb-house’ and is a cave like a sanctum.
In the earliest temples, it was a small cubical structure with a single entrance.
Later it grew into a larger complex.
The Garbhagriha is made to house the main icon (main deity) which is itself the focus of much ritual attention.
2. Mandapa:
It is the entrance to the temple.
It may be a portico or colonnaded (series of columns placed at regular intervals) hall that incorporates space for a large number of worshippers.
Dances and such other entertainments are practiced here.
Some temples have multiple mandapas in different sizes named as Ardhamandapa, Mandapa, and Mahamandapa.
3. Shikhara or Vimana:
They are mountain like the spire of a free-standing temple.
Shikhara is found in North Indian temples and Vimana is found in South Indian temples.
Shikhara has a curving shape while vimana has a pyramidal-like structure.