HINDU ART AND ARCHITECTURE IN

INDIA Lecture 2C

HINDUISM: AN OVERVIEW

• Hinduism has no single founder, spokesman, prophet, or God. It is very complex and CONFUSING!

• Pluralism: The combination of many beliefs into one system. Four goals to life on earth:

– Dharma: Righteous living

– Artha: Wealth

– Kama: Emotional and physical acts of love

– Moksha: Spiritual salvation thru bhakti

Krishna and Radha in a Pavilion, ca. 1760

THE RIG VEDA STATES…

• “The truth is one, but the learned refer to it by many names”.

• In other words, in this worldview there are many paths to the divine and the ultimate goal.

TEMPLES: GRAND MANDALAS FOR REACHING THE GODS

Mandala: Diagram of the Cosmos. Mt. Meru is at the center.

The Square represents the 4 cardinal directions, and the outer

Circle is the universe.

TEMPLE ARCHITECTURE: TERMS

• Porch: Entryway

• Mandapa: hallways/worship rooms that lead to the inner areas of temple.

• Garbhagriha: the “womb” of the temple, the inner shine and home to cult statue or symbol

• Vimana: (south temples) mountain shaped pyramid over the Garghagriha.

• Shikhara: (northern temples): mountain shaped pyramid over the Garghagriha

Video Link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yiupwf

u_h0k

TEMPLE COMPLEX OF THE RAJARAJESHVARA TEMPLE (AKA THE BRIHADESVARA TEMPLE) TO SHIVA, THANJAVUR, INDIA, CA.

1000.

Plan shows several temples surrounded by a wall. The precinct is

entered through a Gateway called a Gopura.

Rajarajeshvara Temple . Figure 3.24

The Vimana (tower)

over the

Garbhagriha, the

“womb” of the temple.

Linga of Shiva at the

center of the temple.

KANDARYA MAHADEVA TEMPLE, KHAJURAHO, INDIA, CA. 1000.

Vishnu and Lakshmi,

Mithuna Scene.

Figure 3.29

31

MITHUNA RELIEFS, DETAIL OF THE

NORTH SIDE OF THE VISHVANATHA

TEMPLE, KHAJURAHO, INDIA, CA.1000.

(Very Few) HINDU DEITIES

Nataraja: Shiva as King of Dance, South India (Chola period, 11th century CE). Bronze.

SHIVA

• One of the main

Hindu gods.

• Associated with

change/death…but

as with new

opportunities.

• Nataraja: Lord of

the Dance.

Universe

Raised

foot =

salvation

Agni=fire,

destruction

Free flowing hair=clashing

of cosmic forces

Small

drum=creation

Mudra=protection

for righteous

Demon

Apasmara=Ignorance

24

DANCING SHIVA, ROCK-CUT

RELIEF IN CAVE TEMPLE,

BADAMI, INDIA, LATE SIXTH

CENTURY.

SHIVA

• Also associated with yogis, self-control, and the shedding of attachments.

• Shown here as Satyam: Truth, Goodness, and Beauty.

• Symbols of Shiva include the Trident (3 gunas), Snake (represents he is beyond death), and Tiger Skin (representing the mind).

• What mudra is shown here?

Linga with one face, 9th century Afghanistan. Marble

SHIVA

• Shiva is also the symbol of the regenerative force of the universe.

• Linga: Phallus shape that represents Shiva as supreme consciousness.

• The linga is oftentimes merged with the yoni, the symbol for the female regenerative force.

Standing Parvati, ca. 10th century India,Copper alloy.

PARVATI

• Wife of Shiva. Other forms of Parvati include Shakti and Kali.

• Loving wife, and equal to her husband. Their statues often placed together to symbolize how partners complement each other to form ultimate oneness.

• Mother of the deity Kama and Ganesha.

Dancing Ganesha, 11th Century, North Bengal.

GANESHA

• Son of Shiva and Parvati.

• Remover of obstacles and Lord of beginnings.

• Easily recognized by human body with elephant head.

• Since he is a child, often shown with a chubby body, holding candies in one of his hands.

AFTER THIS LECTURE YOU SHOULD

BE ABLE TO:

• Define pluralism and explain how Hinduism is a pluralistic faith.

• Compare the features of a mandala to a Hindu Temple, noting the similarities.

• Identify the major components of Northern and Southern Indian temples, their functions, and symbolism.

• Recognize the sacred meaning to mithuna imagery.

• Identify the major Hindu deities and their iconography.