Buddhist Architecture

Buddhist Architecture
(250BC-750AD)
Buddhist architecture is firmly anchored in Indian culture and serves as the

actual birthplace of Buddha's teachings. The emergence of several symbols that
represented various facets of Lord Buddha's life marked the beginning of this style of
construction. Ashoka, an Indian emperor, was the one who made Buddhism the
official religion of his realm (Magadh Empire). To disseminate Buddhism throughout
the nation, he also built several architectural monuments.
Stupas, pagodas, caves, and monasteries, which are distinctive Buddhist

architectural buildings and sculptures, have been merely witnesses to and speakers
about various phases of the Buddhist era. These buildings, which serve as the
spiritual representations of Buddhism, serve as sacred lands with the ability to
cleanse one's soul in addition to being monastic or holy locations.
Rock-cut Temples
-Early rock-cut temples in the peninsula followed the Buddhist architectural
style.
Important Elements of Buddhist Architecture in India
Stupa
A stupa is a kind of hemispherical mound that was once used for meditation.
Usually, a fence encloses it. Typically, stupas have a pradakhshina route, which
represents Buddhist culture. It is a memorial structure that typically contains holy
artifacts connected to the Buddha or other saints.
Chaitya
-In Indian faiths, a Chaitya is a sacred space that alludes to a prayer hall.
Buddhism uses the term to describe a prayer hall with a stupa in the middle.
Viharas
-Viharas are small, centrally located rooms that are occasionally joined by
carved-stone beds. Contrary to Chaityas, Viharas are modest.
Since the same guild of artists

worked for all the religions, there is hardly any difference in the treatment of the
Buddhist, Jain and Hindu temple in the particular region at the given period.
Jain Architecture
(1000-1300Ad with later revivals)
Contrarily, it is more challenging to describe the architecture of Jainism. As
Hinduism spread throughout India, Jain temple building evolved; Jain architectural
innovations were also a part of Jain traditions. Using Jain architecture, temples were
built throughout the country. The vast bulk of the artifacts date to the Jaina Empire's
golden period of construction, which began in A.D. Between the years 1000 and
1300, a Renaissance took place, while the European Renaissance also took place in
the fifteenth century.
Jain Architecture - Features
 While Jain architecture first mimicked Buddhist and Hindu traditions, they

quickly developed their own distinct character.
 The main distinction is that the Jains build 'temple-cities' rather than lonely
Hindu temples, which are the rule rather than the exception.
 A Jain temple is also notable for its luxurious materials (typically marble) and
the abundance of adornment that adorns the edifice.
 A Jain temple is built on a square layout with entrances in four cardinal
directions, each of which might lead to the image of a Tirthankara.
 The temple's interior features an unusually large number of columns, from
which a false arch/bracket springs around two-thirds of the way up.
 These pillars, like the roof from which they are derived, are exquisitely carved.
 Roof shapes, such as those found at Mount Abu temples, may become
fairly ornate, with marble deities and concentric rings of sculpture.
 Domes or shikharas are typically more sharp than those seen in Hindu
temples, giving Jain temple cities a distinctive skyline of many dome points
arching into the sky.
 All Jain temples are named after one of the 24 Tirthankaras.
 Bricks were rarely employed in Jain buildings, and the practice of cutting
temples out of rock faces was utilized.
Stupas Structure
 The Jain stupa was a type of stupa constructed by Jains for spiritual

purposes.
 A Jain stupa dating from the first century BCE to the first century CE was
unearthed in Mathura in the nineteenth century.
 Although this is an open question, it is probable that the Jains adopted
Buddhist stupa worship.
Chaitya and Vihara structure
 Jainism and Hinduism both used Chaitya structures.

 Jain viharas, unlike Buddhist viharas, do not have cells surrounding the
assembly or prayer hall.
 Jain vihara cells are small and plain, designed for severe austerity by Jain
monks.
 The doors are extremely tiny, requiring bending or crawling to enter a cell.
In conclusion, Jain architecture developed from Buddhist and Hindu styles.

Several Jain temples were initially constructed alongside Buddhist temples in the
Buddhist rock-cut style. At first, only a small portion of the granite cliffs were used to
construct these temples. However, based on the idea of immortality mountains, Jains
started to construct temple-cities on hills in later years.
Hindu/ Brahman Architecture
(1000-1300AD with later revivals)
Hindu architecture developed through the years from basic rock-cut cave
shrines to enormous, elaborate temples that expanded over the Indian subcontinent
and beyond, creating a canonical style that is still followed in contemporary Hindu
temples around the world.
The square form and grid ground plans, soaring towers, and elaborately
decorated sculpture that incorporates gods, worshippers, sensual scenes, animals,
and floral and geometric patterns are all essential components of Hindu architecture
when seen from all four sides and above.
Main Elements of Hindu Architecture:
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.
4. Amalaka:
 It is a stone disc like structure at the top of the temple and they are common in
North Indian temples.
5. Kalasha:
 It is the topmost point of the temple and commonly seen in North Indian
temples.
6. Antarala (vestibule):
 Antarala is a transition area between the Garbhagriha and the temple’s main
hall (mandapa).
7. Jagati:
 It is a raised platform for sitting and praying and is common in North Indian
temples.
8. Vahana:
 It is the mount or vehicle of the temple’s main deity along with a standard pillar
or Dhvaj which is placed axially before the sanctum.
Classification of Indian Temples
Indian temples can be classified into two broad orders as
 Nagara (in North India)

 Dravida (in South India)
 At times, the Vesara style of temples as an independent style created through
the mixing of Nagara and Dravida orders.
References
https://gosmartbricks.com/buddhist-architecture-in-india/
https://www.india-a2z.com/buddhist-architecture-in-india.html
https://www.slideshare.net/roopachikkalgi/buddhist-architecture-73527008
https://prepp.in/news/e-492-jain-architecture-ancient-india-history-notes
https://www.worldhistory.org/Hindu_Architecture/
https://www.clearias.com/temple-architecture-sculpture/

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Buddhist Architecture

Buddhist architecture is firmly anchored in Indian culture and serves as the

Stupas, pagodas, caves, and monasteries, which are distinctive Buddhist

Since the same guild of artists

Jain Architecture - Features

 While Jain architecture first mimicked Buddhist and Hindu traditions, they

 The Jain stupa was a type of stupa constructed by Jains for spiritual

Chaitya and Vihara structure

 Jainism and Hinduism both used Chaitya structures.

In conclusion, Jain architecture developed from Buddhist and Hindu styles.

Main Elements of Hindu Architecture:

 It literally means ‘womb-house’ and is a cave like a sanctum.

 It is the entrance to the temple.

 They are mountain like the spire of a free-standing temple.

Classification of Indian Temples

Indian temples can be classified into two broad orders as

 Nagara (in North India)

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