This is more about Hindu Dharma than the divine beauty of the architecture of various Temples in India. Most of these links are posted elsewhere, but I thought they belong in this more dedicated thread.
Links to do with meaning behind Temples and their construction:
- http://www.integralbooks.com/powerintemples.htm
Book "Power in Temples" of website http://www.integralbooks.com
a page online - http://www.integralbooks.com/powesam1.htm
another page - http://www.integralbooks.com/powesam2.htm
- http://www.bharatrekhainamerica.com/history.htm
"What is a Hindu Temple"
Bold bit below is stuff that I didn't know about until yesterday (I capitalised the word Devas below <!--emo&
--><img src='style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif' /><!--endemo--> ):
http://www.hinduismtoday.com/archives/2004...ic_temple.shtml
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->Dr. V. Ganapati Sthapati, the traditional architect who designed Iraivan Temple, noted, "The parts of the temple are so integrated that they become a living organism worthy of worship." <b>The Upanishads say, "Look upon the temple building as embodied energy and worship Him with Vedic mantras."</b>
The Agamas and the Vastu Shastras, Hinduism's scriptural authorities on temple architecture, give precise details and formulas prescribing how to design, carve and assemble a temple. The resulting structure and its relationship with its surroundings create a subtle, sublime atmosphere in which ceremonies performed by priests easily lift the veil between this world and the world of the Gods and Devas so their blessings can pour forth to gathered devotees.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->Not having read any Upanishad completely (let alone all of them), I can't confirm the bold bit above. But I think Dr Sthapati would know, as Temples are his field.
Links to do with meaning behind Temples and their construction:
- http://www.integralbooks.com/powerintemples.htm
Book "Power in Temples" of website http://www.integralbooks.com
a page online - http://www.integralbooks.com/powesam1.htm
another page - http://www.integralbooks.com/powesam2.htm
- http://www.bharatrekhainamerica.com/history.htm
"What is a Hindu Temple"
Bold bit below is stuff that I didn't know about until yesterday (I capitalised the word Devas below <!--emo&
--><img src='style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif' /><!--endemo--> ):http://www.hinduismtoday.com/archives/2004...ic_temple.shtml
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->Dr. V. Ganapati Sthapati, the traditional architect who designed Iraivan Temple, noted, "The parts of the temple are so integrated that they become a living organism worthy of worship." <b>The Upanishads say, "Look upon the temple building as embodied energy and worship Him with Vedic mantras."</b>
The Agamas and the Vastu Shastras, Hinduism's scriptural authorities on temple architecture, give precise details and formulas prescribing how to design, carve and assemble a temple. The resulting structure and its relationship with its surroundings create a subtle, sublime atmosphere in which ceremonies performed by priests easily lift the veil between this world and the world of the Gods and Devas so their blessings can pour forth to gathered devotees.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->Not having read any Upanishad completely (let alone all of them), I can't confirm the bold bit above. But I think Dr Sthapati would know, as Temples are his field.