Science behind our Temples - Part 2

Before you visit a temple next time, watch this so you can tell your group about their parts & structure!

Because of the different natural materials, weather conditions & artists, we have 2 main types Nagara (famous in the North) & Dravida (in the South) with fusions like Vesara & countless sub-types.

The base on which everything is built is Adhishthana & above it the flat platform, which is Jagati. You enter through the Gopurams which are big doors seen in Dravida style & its Northern equivalent is called Torana.

Once you pass the guarding statues called Dvarapalas, you’ll enter through the Ardhamandapa & then finally reach the pillar-filled or empty gathering hall called as Mandapas where you can sit & meditate or watch the gorgeous carvings called Prastara.

You’ll find the priest or bhadji/guruji sitting in the Antarala at the end, which separates the Mandapa from the inner window-less room at the center, called the Garbagriha, where the murthi is placed facing the East as per the rising Sun.

You can move around this womb room using the pradakshima marg or parikrama in clockwise direction only & in sets of odd numbers like 1, 3, 5 to mimic the revolution of planets around the Sun & absorb the positive energies from the copper/metal plates placed underneath.

Above, you’ll notice the tower - it’s curved in the South, hence called “Shikara,” & its Souther equivalent is Vimana which is like a pyramid of many steps. Mini shikaras around the main one are called Urushringa.

Above the Shikara, we have the lotus-shaped Amlak & a Kalash acting as an antenna to catch & spread divine signals.

Our temples are proof of India’s power in architecture, crafting & science. But they’re being destroyed today so even if you don’t believe in God, do visit your local one & support its maintenance.