Hindu architecture and sculpture

h"p://educa+on.asianart.org/explore-­‐resources/background-­‐informa+on/

kandariya-­‐mahadeva-­‐temple  

Shilpa Shastra “Sculpture Science” •  In  the  Hindu  religion,  when  form  is  constructed  within  norms  established  in  the  Upanishads  (da+ng  perhaps  as  far  back  as  6000  BCE),  it  will  be  imbued  with  the  quali+es  of  the  divine  and  the  deity  will  be  truly  expressed  through  the  image  (and  reside  in  the  image).    

Vaastu Shastra “construction science”

•  Set  of  guidelines  for  construc+on  of  edifices,  plazas  and  even  city  planning  

Examplary Hindu Temples and sites

•  Temple  of  Vishnu  at  Deogarh  (ca.  500  AD)  •  Cave  I,  Elephanta  (ca.  550  –  783)  •  Great  Relief  of  Mamallapuram  (ca.  630  AD)  •  Kailasanatha  Temple  (“cave”  16)  at  Ellora  (757  –  783)  also  known  as  Kailasa  Temple  

•  Kandariya  Mahadeva  Temple  at  Khajuraho  (1004  –  1035)  

•  Shiva  Nataraja  Temple,  Chidambaram  (ca.  1000s)  

Gupta dynasty:

“Golden age of Indian Art Although  the  leaders  of  the  Gupta  dynasty  were  Buddhist,  the  art  of  all  religions  (especially  Buddhism,  Hinduism  and  Jainism)  flourished  under  their  leadership,  as  it  was  a  +me  of  peace  and  prosperity.  320  –  550  AD  

Temple of Vishnu, Deogarh

ca. 500 AD

Ganga  

Lakshmi

•  1000  steps  from  shore  to  temples  

Entrance to Cave 1

Elephanta Cave ca. 550 – 783 AD

Great Relief of Mamallapuram near Chennai, ca. 630 AD

Goats?

Kailasanatha Temple (Kailasa), “cave 16”, Ellora, 757 – 773 AD

Jaina Temple “Cave 32” ca. 800 AD

Kandariya Mahadeva Temple, Khajuraho, 999 AD

Shiva Nataraja Temple, Chidambaram 11th century (rebuilt

1213) early Chola style

Entrance

Inner Sanctum (gold roof)