Understanding Architecture of Ancient Temples

and Unveiling the Stories Etched on Them

Girish Nikam
Department of Computer Engineering
Vidyavardhini’s College of Engineering and Technology
Vasai, India
girish.232093105@vcet.edu.in

Asst. Prof. Tanya D’souza

Project Guide
First Year Engineering
Vidyavardhini’s College of Engineering and Technology
Vasai, India

Abstract - This paper examines the previous research and breakdown of

role of inscriptions and sculptures on
ancient Indian temples and how their
architecture reflects the social lives and
ideas of the people of that time. It aims to
decipher how these visual and textual
narratives reflected and influenced the
social and religious practices of the
communities that built and worshipped
within these sacred spaces. The temples
of ancient India have always been
monuments not only to worship but also
to hold the social and cultural fabric
together. It will decode these stories
etched on the walls of temples and peek
into the golden era of our ancestors.
This research investigates the captivating
stories etched onto the very skin of these
temples – the sculptures and inscriptions
adorning their external walls. It will
conduct a comprehensive analysis of
sculptures on the outer walls, examining
their themes, styles, and depictions of
everyday life, rituals, and professions.
This analysis will be enriched by
studying the accompanying inscriptions,
which often provide details about
religious practices and historical events.
It will also include references from
structures depending on various aspects
like geography, geometry, and period of
time. This research will uncover the
ideas of the people at that time. It will
also study the structures using “vastu”
and look at them in a different way. Field
research will be conducted by visiting the
old temple of Patnadevi.
By drawing upon the insights gleaned
from these diverse sources, the research
seeks to establish a deeper understanding
of the relationship between ancient
Indian temple architecture and the lives
of the people it served. The temple serves
as the center of education by depicting
the stories of gods and goddesses. This
study will reveal the important events of
history as the inscriptions on the walls
and the temples themselves might be
built on an occasion of great importance
also providing us valuable insights about
the social and political landscape of the
period. Studying the art of ancient
architecture will also tell us about the
visions of artisans and scholars as their
ideas reflect on the things they do; this
will also explain to us how the Indian
temples got their unique charisma and
how the energy they emit is different in
each temple.
This research has the potential to
significantly enrich our understanding of
ancient Indian society. By deciphering
the messages embedded in the outer walls
of these temples, it can give us a more
holistic view of the lives of the people who
built, worshipped, and found solace
within their sacred walls.
Keywords - Architecture, ancient Indian
temples, social life, inscriptions, vastu.
1. INTRODUCTION
Indian architecture stands as a testament
to the rich tapestry of the subcontinent's
history, culture, and belief systems.
These magnificent structures transcend
their role as places of worship, serving
as silent chronicles of the lives, ideas,
and social fabric of the communities that
built them.
This research delves into the captivating
narratives etched onto the very skin of
these temples – the sculptures and
inscriptions adorning their external
walls. By analyzing the themes, styles,
and depictions of everyday life, rituals,
and professions portrayed in the
sculptures, we can gain valuable
insights into the social realities of the
time. These insights will be further
enriched by studying the accompanying
inscriptions, which often provide details
about religious practices, historical
events, and even the visions of the
artisans and scholars who brought these
structures to life.
Furthermore, this research will explore
the fascinating world of Vastu Shastra,
the ancient Indian science of
architecture. By examining how temple
structures were designed and positioned
according to these principles, we can
gain a deeper understanding of the
symbolic importance and intended
energy flow within these sacred spaces.
2. PROBLEM STATEMENT
We all know Indian temples are
beautiful and impressive, but how
exactly do they show us what life was
like for the people who built and used
them? This research looks to answer that
question by focusing on three key areas:
Pictures in Stone: We'll analyze the
carvings on the temple walls, like scenes
of daily life, rituals, and different jobs
people had. What can these carvings tell
us about the past?
Whispers from the Walls: Temples often
have inscriptions, like messages carved
in stone. By studying these, we can try
to understand the religious practices,
historical events, and even why the
temples were built in the first place.
The Secret Science: Vastu Shastra is an
ancient Indian way of designing
buildings. We'll explore how it
influenced the structure of the temples
and how it might have affected the way
people felt inside them.
By looking at these things together, this
research aims to create a clearer picture
of how ancient Indian society
functioned and how temple architecture
played a role in their lives.
3. METHODOLOGY
This research will utilize a multi-layered 3. Understanding Vastu Shastra: This
methodological approach to decipher ancient Indian science of architecture is
the stories embedded within the walls of believed to have influenced the design
ancient Indian temples. At its core lies a and layout of temples. Through a
commitment to fieldwork and close literature review of existing research on
observation. The chosen temple site Vastu Shastra, we will gain a theoretical
will be meticulously examined, with framework for analyzing the chosen
detailed documentation of the sculptures temple. Furthermore, consultations
and inscriptions adorning the external with architects or scholars familiar with
walls. This data will then be subjected Vastu Shastra principles will offer
to a series of in-depth analyses, each valuable insights into the intended
offering a unique lens through which to spatial arrangements and energy flow
understand the narratives woven into the within the temple complex. By
temple's architecture. analyzing the temple layout, orientation
of structures, and use of geometric
1. Visual Analysis of Sculptures: This
shapes, we can then compare these
analysis will involve classifying the
observations with known Vastu Shastra
sculptures based on their themes, such
principles to understand their potential
as depictions of deities, rituals, or
influence on the temple's design.
everyday life. Furthermore, a stylistic
examination will be conducted, focusing By employing these diverse
on artistic choices like drapery, facial methodologies and drawing upon
expressions, and figure proportions. By expertise from various fields, this
comparing these stylistic elements with research seeks to paint a holistic picture
those found in other temples, we can of the stories embedded within the walls
glean valuable insights into the period of ancient Indian temples.
and region where the temple was built.
2. Deciphering Inscriptions: Once
documented, the inscriptions on the
temple walls will be meticulously
analyzed, focusing on details like names
of donors, historical events
commemorated, or religious practices
mentioned. Additionally, established
dating techniques will be employed to
understand the inscriptions' placement
within the historical timeline. While
collaboration with epigraphists (experts
in ancient inscriptions) might be
necessary depending on the complexity
of the script, the focus here will be on
interpreting the content itself, not the
process of deciphering the script.