ARTISTIC ASPECTS OF INDIAN TEMPLES

Hindu temples are the sacred places where God is supposed to live. According to the Hindu rituals, a complete temple should have five essential parts namely Garbhagriha, Shikhar, Circumbulatory passage, Mandap, and Ardhamandapa. Garbhagriha is the innermost chamber of the house of diety. It is the nucleus of the temple where individuals offer their worship. Above it, lies a Shikhar. The literary meaning of the Shikhar is the mountain peak but here it symbolically indicates Meru, the Kailasha, the residence of Lord Shiva. The Garbhagriha is surrounded by the Circumbulatory passage which is used for parikrama of the diety by the devotees. It is also connected to the Mandapa. Mandapa is a pillared assembly hall. It provides shelter to the devotees. A long antarala joins Mandapa and Garbhagriha. Sometimes it is decorated with sculptural figures of various deities, which put a strong impression on the mind of the devotee before he reaches the Garbhagriha. An ardhamandapa resembles a porch, which frequently precedes Mandapa. Besides these parts, a temple may have Nritya Mandapa and Bhog Mandapa.