Hindu Architecture

By Shri. Sanjay Mulye, Ratnagiri (Maharashtra).

History of Architecture

Many proofs are found related to existence of Architecture in India since the time of ‘Vedas’. Many doctrines are found in ‘Gruhya-sutra’ and ‘Shulba-sutra’, explaining as to which bricks are to be used for building ‘Yadnya-Vedi’ etc. In ‘Valmiki Ramayana’, descriptions of cities, walls, forts are found. Temples in India can be seen as a proof of developed architecture from the period of ‘Vedas’. When history of temples is studied, it is observed that ‘Vedanta’, ‘Yoga-shastra’ besides, sciences like geography, physics, mathematics, geometry and gravitation were used in temple- construction. These temples, where principles of sciences have been used artistically, were used for acquiring knowledge of ‘Brahma’ and creating virtuous society. In fact, the temples were the social centres in those days.
Hindu temples are very good examples of developed architecture and science from the time of ‘Vedas’.  A very good combination of science and spirituality can be observed in construction of these temples. It is a huge challenge for architects in today’s Science- age to study the architecture of temples and present it before people.

Consecration of idols in temple by using magnetic power !

It is said that even in Somnath Temple on the West coast of India, ‘Shiva-Linga’ was kept hanging by using magnetic field. The Sun-Temple at Konark was very big. Here also, magnetic power was used for installation of the idol of Sun-God. The magnetic field could be detected even on ships sailing in sea on that coast.

Speciality of ‘Shiva-Temples’

A. The construction of Shiva-temple is found to be done in such manner that there is natural air conditioning and with sanctum sanctorum constructed going deep underground.
B. Construction as per Sun-rays : It is observed that Science of Physics is also applied along with ‘Vedanta’ and ‘Yoga-Shasta’ for construction of temples. In some temples, the construction is done with the principle of ‘Dik-bandhan (i.e. construction is such that on certain days, the first rays of Sun fall on the idol). In some temples, small vents are provided so that the first rays of Sun fall on the idol irrespective of season. There is a ‘Shiva-temple’ on hill near Yavat, near Pune. At Konark, the wheel sculpted at Sun temple does not depict just wheel of chariot of the Sun but moth, day and time can be found out from the shadow of axle of this wheel.
C. Pillar of temples based on ‘Naad-shastra (science of Sound) : In a temple at Kanyakumari, there  are pillars made of stone with ‘Sapta-svaras (seven notes)’ on one side and pillars on the other side, emit sound of ‘Mrudung’. For getting such sounds through stones, how big should be the circumference of stone, how much should the stone be carved from inside to create vacuum for the sound etc. are looked into based on mathematics and science.           

Metallurgy

A. Zinc metal invented in India : Few years back, 2 x 2 metal sheet of Zinc was found at Akhora, a village near Athens, capital of Greece while excavation work was going on. Word ‘Takshasheela’ was written on that sheet of metal. The age of the metal sheet was ascertained to be hundreds of years with the help of carbon-dating method. Zinc used in metal-sheet is considered to be purest; but it is the misfortune of Indians that its patent is in the name of one British person. In 17th century, a British person found Zinc and got its patent which he named as ‘Malabar Lead’.
B. Non-corrosive iron pillar at Indraprastha    
Prof. Balsubramanyam from IIT, Kanpur studied the pillar at Indraprastha through ‘Non-Destructive Technology (NDT)’. He found that the pillar was painted with Iron-phosphate with thickness of 50 microns. This iron pillar is standing proudly showing thousands of year’s old tradition of Indian science.

Ramsetu

Structures based on western style collapse within a decade but temples constructed thousands of years back are still standing in India !
‘Nala’, the architect and engineer from Army of monkeys constructed ‘Rama-setu’ thousands of years ago which still stands in the sea whereas bridges and buildings constructed by corrupt architects collapse even before completion of their work !    
If we see Kailas cave at Verul from architectural point of  view; we will know the manner in which it is constructed. It is carved in one stone from top to bottom which shows the level of thinking of architects behind such construction. It is so huge that we cannot even think of the methods they must have used for measuring it and how it was implemented etc.
Source : Daily sanatan Prabhat