India is one of the few countries that has maintained the tradition, not only in terms of clothing, different kinds of art, but also in architecture.The traditions of ancient India are kept in almost everything.To see this, just visit any city in this country.Perfect line if hovering in the air laced buildings - this can not be found in any other culture.Architecture of Ancient India, of course, different from the one that can be seen in modern cities.But, nevertheless, it was she who was the basis of every building, whether it is a modern hotel or temple.
Architecture of India as part of the culture of the country
ancient Hindus represented the universe as something unimaginably large and grand.It is this impact on art in general and architecture in particular.Ancient monuments of India, despite the significant damage, surprised by its size and brilliance.Indissoluble interweaving of philosophical world with music that seemed frozen in stone - this is exactly what is considered typical Indian architecture.You agree that it is impossible to imagine India without Ancient temples and palace complexes, decorated with sculptures, paintings, high domes and steeples covered with gold.
architecture of ancient India also inextricably linked to the religious currents that State.Reliefs, covering most of the walls of old buildings, can tell a lot about the outlook of the Indians, as well as unlock the mysteries of the past.
distinctive features of Indian architecture
What is different from the other architecture of ancient India?Briefly describe its features can be in the following words: shape, color and complete harmony with the surroundings of buildings and their monumentality.Much attention is paid to detail the architects finish: decoration on the walls, the ceiling and even on the roof.Due to this structure, surviving resemble lace, despite its size.This is especially noticeable when you look at the temples and the city from a distance or from the air.
Features of architecture of ancient India are also in the sense of the sacred, inherent in every detail of construction.The majestic churches were built on a single plan, described in religious literature.But even so, every building is full of personality.Somewhere outside the inner surfaces of the walls contain sensual bas-relief image, and in some cases the main motivation becomes a kind of story about the everyday life of the peasants, kings or gods.
What to build in India?
Building materials, from which in ancient India to erect buildings, different depending on the area.For the Northern District were characterized by the use of stone, brick and wood, and for the south - wood and adobe blocks.A little later, the basic building material for the construction of steel and other limestone rocks.It is also a common feature was the cave temples that were cut down in a monolithic rock.Today the architecture of ancient India is represented by temple complex of stone as wooden and brick buildings were not preserved in its original form.
Ancient Indian city
fully understand what was the architecture of ancient India, allow the discovery of the remains of cities Dholavira, Lothal, and Kalibangan Rahilvari.Typical ancient Indian settlement design, which consists of 3 parts (the citadel or fortress, the lower and upper part of the city) is still widely used, but in a slightly different scale.Exploring the site of the ancient cities of India, archaeologists could once again make sure that in this state for many millennia there stratification of society on the basis of belonging to a particular caste.So, next to the citadel houses belonged to nobles and were separated from the lower town, inhabited by artisans and the poor, double earthen wall.
absolutely different from other cities had Lothal features - one of the most important trading cities on the coast of India.Citadel there was not located in the city center, and at a maximum distance from the coastline, and the boundary between the upper and lower city was held in a straight line the wide street.To avoid flooding of houses standing in close proximity to the water, they were built on a high platform of mud brick.
Temples India
Argued that those who want to get acquainted with the phenomenon of the architecture of ancient India, is to make a pilgrimage to the temples located in this country.And so it is.Their style and layout remain unchanged even after 8 millennia since the beginning of its formation.What is the feature of them is?Firstly, it is their layout.Regardless of their location and size, all the temples of India consists of the following premises:
- sanctuary (garbhabriha) - a low, windowless room with a single low-pass, which houses a statue of the main deity of the temple;
- Wiman - domed tower or shpilevidnoy form towering above the sanctuary;
- pass around the sanctuary - pradakshinapatha through which visitors move around the temple to make bypassing the main sanctuary of the church;
- mukhamandapa - small corridor that connects the sanctuary of the temple with its main hall, used as a storage space for religious and cult objects, sacrifice;
- mandapa - Hall, located between the main entrance to the temple and sanctuary, is there parishioners make religious activities;
- in front of the temples are located flagpoles and mounts the statues of the gods who are worshiped (the god Vishnu - Garuda, Shiva - the bull and so Nandini. D.);
- in the courtyard of the church in line with the main gate and the sanctuary is the altar of sacrifice;
- surrounding temple wall with towers at the bottom of which usually are additional gates or satellite shrines of the gods (Lakshmi, Hanuman, Subramanya and others.).
To this day, all the canons of construction of strictly enforced, and it gives the Indian temple that same zest.
most striking monuments of India
architectural identity of Indian temples in recent years is gaining millions of fans.In order to fully absorb the spirit of ancient India, dozing in the giant buildings worth a visit multiple unique locations.These include a set of three temples in Khajuraho, which differ from the abundance of other large and small statues of women (apsaras and Sura Sundari-) who seemed frozen for a moment, but soon again zakruzhatsya dance.Compete with the temple complex may be except that the snow-white marble Ranakpur, hovering at 1444 columns.
most beautiful and richly decorated ancient Indian temple located on the west bank of the Ganges.This is the only "golden temple" in India, after his finish went almost a ton of pure precious metal.But the most unusual and majestic temple is considered to be Kailasa temple - carved into the rock temple of the god Shiva.Despite the fact that during its construction builders use primitive tools, decoration and design of the columns and sculptures is striking in its subtlety, precision and lightness.
