Chapter 2.

flat slab or pointed domes

• HINDU
Architecture of India Three distinct style:
Nagara – Northern India
Religious Dravida – Southern India
 VEDISM Vesara - Combination
 BRAMANISM
 HINDUISM e. COLUMNS
Emphasizes the necessity of escaping from • BUDDHIST
material life and of extinguishing desire. - Octagonal shape, Stumpy, closely set
Together
REINCARNATION - Belief in the transmigration
of souls where when a person dies, his soul enters the body of g. ORNAMENTS
a newborn child/new person or
even an animal’s body. Chattri – A culptured umbrella was
used in Buddhist Stupas
PRINCIPAL GODS AND GODESSES
BRAHMA – the creator Examples:
VISHNU – the preserver a. STAMBHAS/LATHS
SHIVA – the destroyer - Monumental pillars standing free without any
structural function, with circular or octagonal
 JAINISM shafts.
Vardhamana – established Jainism during the
6th C. STUPA (TOPE)
- Contain holy relics to indicate the sacred character
 BUDDHISM of the place or commemorate an important event
- Established in NE India in the 5th Century BCE associated with Buddha.
- Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha) founder Parts of a STUPA
- Bodhi Tree (Pipal) – place of Nirvana Medhi – first part in the circular base
- Karma – Adopted from Hinduism Anda – dome
- No gods and caste system Harmika – pedestal
- Preached charity to all creatures, equality of all Vedika – railing
beings and practice of moderation in all things Sopana – Stairs
Two branches: Chattra – Spire 4 cardinal points
1. Theravada Pradakshina-Patha - circumambulation
2. Mahayana
- Emperor Ashoka-Mauryan Emperor responsible
for the promotion of Buddhism
- Concentrated in monasteries and shrines
- Relics of those who achieved Nirvana were
deposited in stupas

Architectural Character
 BUDDHIST
-Mainly internal Imitation of
timber originals
-Ornament was lavished on the
interior columns and roof

 JAIN
-Presents a light and graceful Hindu Examples
Character a. MANDIR (TEMPLE)
-”In and out“ or cruciform shape - Residence for the god and not a hall for
-Rich Sculptures congregational worship.
-Temples were picturesque Symbol of the purusha or primordial man.
Mandala - generic name for any plan or chart which
 HINDU represents the cosmos (magic diagram of the cosmos).
-Excessive carving and sculpture
-Additions attached to the original shrine
-Grandeur of imposing mass Impression of majestic beauty

ROOFS
• BUDDHIST
-Semicircular roofs
-Wooden ribs or stone imitation

• JAINA
Sikhara – stone roof which coveres
the main sanctuary
-Porches are either crowned with a
MAIN SHRINE Chapter 3.
Sikhara – Dome/Steeple representing Mt. Meru Architecture of Sri Lanka (dagoba - dagaba)
Amalaka – flattened fluted melon shape stone -Ceylon (Old name of Sri Lanka)
crowning the sikhara -Sinhala – ancient name
Kalasha – top decorative element
Garbhagriha - Inner chamber where the murti is Climatic
Placed and Only accessible to priests • Dry hot zone in the north
Pradakshina Patha – Circumambulation and east
Mandapa – Temple Hall • Central wet region
Pitha – Platform/plinth -Cool and invigorating
Antrala – vestibule, connects the garbagriha • Low-lying hot wet zone in
and mandapa the south and southwest
Ardhamandapa – main entrance
. PLAN
• ANURADHAPURA
-Relationship between building and landscape
very important
• POLONNARUWA
-Expansion of temple to enshrine colossal Buddha
statue
- Temples with interior corridors and processional
areas
-Relationship between building and landscape
very important
• KANDYAN
-City placed on a hill

Common DAGOBA SHAPES

Chapter 4.
Architecture of Nepal ( CHORTEN)

Emperor Ashoka of India introduced Buddhism in

Katmandu valley in the 3rd century BC and numerous
stupas were built.

c. OPENINGS
• Lintels over openings are of timber and
often in three parts, stepping upwards
towards the inside
• Windows have intricated lattice screens.

f. MOULDINGS & ORNAMENTS

• Use of spires(AMALAKA)
• Conical spires resembling the 13 Buddhist
heavens
• Stone frieze depicting legends
• Motifs of the “ALL SEEING ONE”
• Use of tingling bells and lamps