RELIGION

- sometimes also termed Dharmic VEDIC PERIOD

religions or Indic religions, are the - Vedism, a polytheistic religion
religions that originated in the Indian brought by aryan tribes who
subcontinent. These religions, which gradually conquered the indus
include Hinduism, Jainism, civilization.
Buddhism, and Sikhism, are also - The predecessor of Hinduism and
classified as Eastern religions. was the cause of creation of
- Although Indian religions are buddhism and Jainism. The other
connected through the history of two religion sought for a simpler
India, they constitute a wide range means to religious understanding
of religious communities, and are and ethical living because the
not confined to the Indian brahmins (highly priest of the vedic
subcontinent. period) were doing rituals that
- In India, religion is more publicly requires sacrifices. One of the
visible than it is in most English- reasons too is the caste system.
speaking Western countries. This
becomes evident when considering HINDUISM
the numerous spaces that are - The religion of the Brahmins, which
thought to be sacred and holy. evolved into Hinduism, responded
Examples include ‘ashrams’ to Jainism and Buddhism by
(monasteries or congregation sites) incorporating popular devotional
consisting of large communities of
images of gods and spirits into its
scholars or monastics, temples
rituals of worship and making these
(mandir), shrines and specific
landscapes such as the Ganges rituals relate more closely to
River. There is a rich religious people's daily lives.
history visible in architecture, and it - Hinduism, which remains the major
is not uncommon to find various religion in India today, had no single
places of worship, such as a Hindu founder, and it still has no clearly
temple, Muslim Mosque and defined religious hierarchy.
Christian church, all next to each - Believing and acceptance of the
other. (possible conclusion) Vedas as sacred texts
- maintenance of the caste structure
DURING INDUS CIVILIZATION A. Brahmins – priests
- There is not much information about B. Kshatriyas – kings and
their religion because most of the
warriors
discovered scripts are not yet
deciphered. It is given that they C. Vaisyas – merchants and
worshipped several gods and farmers
goddesses, yet there is lack of D. Sudras – workers
information about who they - E. Untouchables – outcasts
generally worship and where they - Of the innumerable Hindu deities,
worship. there are three supreme gods:
- Shiva, the great destroyer
 - Vishnu is the creator who embodies
mercy and goodness, sometimes
youthful romance. The preserver.
- Brahma, the creator

HINDU (OR BRAHMAN) ARCH’RE.

- Hindu architecture is the traditional

system of Indian architecture for structures
such as temples, monasteries, statues,
homes, market places, gardens and town
planning as described in Hindu texts.
- By far the most important, characteristic
and numerous surviving examples of Example
Hindu architecture are Hindu temples, KANDARIYA MAHADEV TEMPLE
with an architectural tradition that has left
surviving examples in stone, brick, and
rock-cut architecture.
-These architectures had influence of
Ancient Persian and Hellenistic
architecture.
- They have building principles on different
kind of structures. It serves as their
building code which guides the
construction of the structures. - "the Great God of the Cave", is the
largest and most ornate Hindu
NAGARA (NORTHERN INDIA) temple at Khajuraho in Madhya
TEMPLES (MANDIRS) Pradesh, India.
-is elevated through a platform called plinth - was built during the reign of
GARBA GRIHA – the inner sanctum or Vidyadhara around 1025-1050 AD
womb chamber where the image of deities to celebrate success dedicated to
is found. shiva.
MANDAPA – the temple hall - inscribed in 1986 under the
ARDHA MANDAPA – an entrance porch UNESCO List of World Heritage
forming a transitional area between outside Sites under Criterion III and V.
and a mandapa. - Built using locally quarried
SHIKHARA– the tower or spire above the sandstone of pale yellow-brown
graba griha and mandapas which is the color.
most dominant feature of the north hindu - The spires represent the Himalayan
temple. peaks and is full of erotic sculptures
KALASHA – a finial, generally in the form depicting various sexual positions,
of metal or stone spire, used to top the symbolizing acceptance of physical
domes of Hindu temples. love in human life.
DRAVIDIAN (SOUTHERN INDIA) ADDITIONAL INFO FOR HINDU
TEMPLES (MANDIRS) - There are other type of hindu
- Is enclosed within a compound wall. temple architecture aside from the
GARBA GRIHA – the inner sanctum or nagara-style and Dravidian but they
womb chamber where the image of deities are mostly based or a mixture of the
is found. two.
MANDAPA – the temple hall - key features of a Hindu temple:
GOPURAM – a big entrance gateway in concepts of harmony, symmetry,
the centre of the wall. balance, and rhythm.
VIMANA– the main temple tower that is - In addition, perfect geometric
like a stepped pyramid that rises up shapes such as circles and squares,
geometrically. as well as mathematical principles
SHIKHARA – the peak of the temple like the golden ratio were often used
in temple construction.
- The temple is welcomed through
mathematically structured spaces, a
network of art, pillars with carvings
and statues that display and
celebrate the four important and
necessary principles of human life
a. artha (prosperity, wealth)
b. the pursuit of kama (desire)
c. the pursuit of dharma (virtues,
ethical life)
Example d. pursuit of moksha (release, self-
BRIHADESHWARA TEMPLE knowledge).
- A hindu temple dedicated to Shiva - The appropriate site for a Mandir
and is located on the south side of is near water and gardens,
Kaveri River in Thanjavur, Tamil where lotus and flowers bloom,
Nadu. where swans, ducks and other
- It was built by Tamil King Raja Raja birds are heard, where animals
Chola I and completed in 1010 AD. rest without fear of injury or
- The temple is part of the UNESCO harm. These harmonious places
World Heritage Site known as the were recommended in these
"Great Living Chola Temples" texts with the explanation that
such are the places where gods
play, and thus the best site for
Hindu temples.
TEMPLE PLAN BUDDHISM
- the religion founded by Siddhartha
Gautama (ca. 563-ca. 483 BCE) was
destined to become a major influence
on architecture, not only in India, but
also in Sri Lanka, China, Tibet, and
southeast Asia.
- Born into a wealthy family, Gautama
left his wife and fortune travel as a
beggar and seek an understanding of
the causes of suffering. After six years
of ascetic mortification and
contemplation, he achieved
enlightenment while sitting under the
bodhi tree.
- The Eight-fold Way (right views,
- The design, especially the floor resolve, speech, conduct, livelihood,
plan, of the part of a Hindu temple effort, recollection, and meditation),
around the sanctum or shrine formed the basis of his teachings,
follows a geometrical design called which were intended to enable his
vastu-purusha-mandala. disciples to overcome worldly suffering
- In Hindu temple manuals, design caused by human desires and thus to
plans are described with 1, 4, 9, 16, achieve nirvana or liberation from the
25, 36, 49, 64, 81 up to 1024 eternal cycle of birth and rebirth.
squares. - Buddhism, the religion he inspired,
- 1 and 4 pada are for meditation and took its name from the word Buddha,
is just a very small space enough the Enlightened One, the name given
for a devotee to sit, do yoga and to Gautama after his conversion. As
make offerings. initially expounded, the religion
- 9 padas are the smallest possible required neither complex worship
layout for a temple with a sacred rituals nor a specific architectural
surrounded center. context.
- 64 padas are considered as the
most sacred geometric grid in hindu
temples. BUDDHIST ARCH’RE
- Paisachika (signify asuras and evil), - The monuments can be divided into :
Manusha (signify human life), - Stambhas (or Lats).
Devika (signify Devas and good), - were columns on which were carved
Brahma (the location for temple’s inscriptions, the top being crowned
primary idol), at center of brahma is with emblems, such as the elephant
the garba griha. and lion, often reminiscent of
Persepolitan architecture.
 - Monumental pillars standing free Example
without any structural function \ SANCHI TOPE
- In Hindu mythology, a stambha is - Built by king Ashoka (273-
believed to be a cosmic column that 236 BCE)
functions as a bond, joining heaven - one of the oldest stone
(Svarga) and earth (Prithvi). structures in India, and an
- used to mark important sites, such as important monument of
pilgrimage routes, monasteries, and Indian Architecture.
other sacred places. They were also - The Sanchi Stupa built during
used to commemorate important the Mauryan period was
events or teachings related to the made of bricks.
Buddha. - Its nucleus was a simple
hemispherical brick structure
built over the relics of the
Buddha. It was crowned by
the chatra, a parasol-like
structure symbolising high
rank, which was intended to
honour and shelter the relics.
V
IJAYA KIRTI
Topes (or Stupas)
- were mounds erected (a) to
commemorate some sacred spot ; (b)
to contain sacred relics and then
known as dagobas or receptacles for
relics.
- The initial function of a stupa was the
veneration and safe-guarding of the
relics of Gautama Buddha. Rails
- The principal group is that known as - Rails were often used as
the Bhilsa Topes, north of the inclosures to the Topes.
Nerbudda River, and the best known of - They clearly indicate a
the group is the Sanchi Tope (B.C. wooden origin and were
250-A.D. 100). elaborately ornamented with
sculpture.
Chaityas (or Temples). Viharas, or Monasteries.
- refers to a shrine, sanctuary, - The rock-cut examples are in
temple or prayer hall in proximity to the Chaityas.
Indian religions. The normal type is a central
- are all excavated out of the square space, with or without
solid rock, thus presenting columns, surrounded by
only one external face. They chambers for the priests, and
recall the rock-cut tombs of occasionally containing a
Upper Egypt. sanctuary for the shrine.
- The halls are high and long, - Vihāra generally refers to a
but rather narrow. At the far Buddhist monastery for
end stands the stupa, which Buddhist renunciates, mostly
is the focus of devotion. in the Indian subcontinent.
- Chaitya Hall was built to Example
worship Buddha, as is JAULIAN
evidenced by the beautiful - a ruined Buddhist monastery
columns inside that are dating from the 2nd century
covered in carvings of CE, located in Taxila, in
Buddha's life and work. Pakistan.
- Jaulian, along with the
nearby monastery at Mohra
Muradu, form part of the
Ruins of Taxila – a collection
of excavations that were
inscribed as a UNESCO
World Heritage Site in 1980.
-

Example
THE GREAT CHAITYA at Karla Cave
- The main cave, called the
Great Chaitya cave, or Cave
No.8, features a large,
intricately carved chaitya, or
prayer hall, dating back to
50-70 CE.
- large windows are cut into
the rock to light the cave
interiors.
JAINISM Example
- were founded by identifiable historical DILWARA TEMPLES
figures. Jainism was inspired by the life - are a group of Jain temples
of Vardhamana, also known as located about 21⁄2 kilometers
Mahavira (great hero) or Jina (the from the Mount Abu.
victor). - Made in white marble
- In 546 BCE Vardhamana found his
version of the path to salvation in a
complete rejection of the complex
formulations of the Brahmins.
- He taught that escape from the world's
unhappiness was attainable only
through rigorous asceticism (severe
self-discipline and avoidance of all
forms of indulgence, typically for - In the 5 temples one of the
religious reasons) to purify the soul -
and by maintaining reverence for all
living creatures. His followers, mostly - One of the most famous is
merchants and bankers whose the LUNA VASAHI TEMPLE
livelihoods enabled them to avoid all - The Luna Vasahi or
forms of violence against animals, Neminatha temple is
established Jainism (literally, religion of dedicated to Neminatha. The
Jina), in which participants seek to temple was built in 1230 by
acquire spiritual merit through charity, two Porwad brothers -
good works, and, whenever possible, Vastupal and Tejpal - both
monastic retreats. ministers of a Virdhaval,
The Rang mandap (main
JAIN ARCH’RE hall) features a central dome
- In architectural terms, Jainist temples from which hangs a big
never developed a distinctive style, ornamental pendant.
borrowing elements instead from other Arranged in a circular band
religious groups. are 72 figures of tirthankaras
- In the initial years, many Jain temples in sitting posture.
were made adjoining the Buddhist
temples following the Buddhist rock-cut
style.
- One of the features of Jain temples are
the Chaumukh design which is a four-
faced image.
- The temple has entrances and faces
the 4 cardinal directions.
- A jain temple is a place where
“Tirthankara” (Jina) gives teachings.
ISLAM Hindu temple architecture and other
- an Abrahamic monotheistic religion indigenous Indian styles. Both types
centered on the Quran and the of building essentially consist of a
teachings of Muhammad, the single large space under a high
religion's founder. dome, and completely avoid the
- Islam is India’s second-largest figurative sculpture so important to
religion next to Hinduism. Hindu temple architecture.
- Islam arrived in the inland of Indian MUGHAL ARCHITECTURE
subcontinent in the 7th century when The Mughal Empire, an Islamic empire
the Arabs conquered Sindh and later that lasted in India from 1526 to 1857
arrived in Punjab and North India in left a mark on Indian architecture that
the 12th century was a mix of Islamic, Persian, Arabic,
- God is seen as incomparable and Central Asian and native Indian
without partners such as in the architecture. A major aspect of Mughal
Christian Trinity, and associating architecture is the symmetrical nature of
partners to God or attributing God's buildings and courtyards.
attributes to others is seen as Mughal buildings have a uniform pattern
idolatory, called shirk. God is seen as of structure and character, including
transcendent of creation and so is large bulbous domes, slender minarets
beyond comprehension. at the corners, massive halls, large
- The pre-eminent holy text of Islam is vaulted gateways, and delicate
the Quran. Muslims believe that the ornamentation.
verses of the Quran were revealed to Example
Muhammad by God, through the TAJ MAHAL
archangel Gabriel, on multiple - an ivory-white marble mausoleum on
occasions between 610 and 632, the the right bank of the river Yamuna in
year Muhammad died. Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India.
- It was commissioned in 1631 by the
fifth Mughal emperor, Shah Jahan (r.
ISLAMIC ARCH’RE 1628–1658) to house the tomb of his
- Indo-Islamic architecture is the beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal; it also
architecture of the Indian houses the tomb of Shah Jahan
subcontinent produced by and for himself.
Islamic patrons and purposes. - designated as a UNESCO World
- The types and forms of large Heritage Site in 1983 for being "the
buildings required by Muslim elites, jewel of Muslim art in India and one of
with mosques and tombs much the the universally admired masterpieces
most common, were very different of the world's heritage".
from those previously built in India.
The exteriors of both were very often
topped by large domes, and made
extensive use of arches. Both of
these features were hardly used in
CHRISTIANITY George, or William Dixon, Chief Gunner of
- is an Abrahamic monotheistic religion the Fort, in 1678.
based on the life and teachings of - One of the unique and cunning features
Jesus. It is the world's largest and that was incorporated in its design was a
most widespread religion. bomb-proof roof approximately four feet
- Christianity is India's third-largest thick and rounded in the manner of a
religion with about 26 million wagon's roof, so as to cause cannonballs
adherents, making up 2.3 percent of to ricochet.
the population as of the 2011 census.
- Christians believe that Jesus is the
Son of God, whose coming as the
Messiah was prophesied in the
Hebrew Bible (called the Old
Testament in Christianity) and
chronicled in the New Testament.
- Belief in God the Father, Jesus Christ
as the Son of God, and the Holy Spirit.

CHRISTIAN ARCH’RE
- Indian Christian architecture during the SIMILARITIES
British Raj has expanded into several
different styles as a result of extensive - The three religions have emerged out
church building in different parts of the from the same source, which is called
country. The style that was most the Aryan Truths.
patronised is generally referred to as - All the three believe in the karma
the British Regency style followed by theory, cycle of birth & rebirth and a
Neo-Gothic and Gothic Revival final destination of infinite peace and
architecture. happiness which is the goal of every
- The adaptation of European individual (known variably as Moksh,
architectural elements to the tropical Nirvana, Kaivalya).
climate in India has resulted in the - The fundamentals of the three religions
creation of the Indo-Gothic style. are the same.
Example - They stress on the practice of Truth
(Satya), Non-Violence (Ahimsa),
C.S.S. ST. MARY’S CHURCH Chastity (or Celibacy in case of monks
- the Anglican church located at Fort St and nuns (Brahmacharya)), Non-
George in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. It Attachment to worldly possessions
lies East of Suez and also the oldest (Aparigraha) and Non-Covetousness
British building in India. The church is (Asteya).
popularly known as 'Westminster Abbey of - However, they do differ on some
the East'. prominent philosophical and doctrinal
-The architect of the church was either subjects as in the Indian culture. Their
Edward Foule, Master-Gunner of Fort St.
 views and opinions on different topics desires which are born again and
are enumerated as under: again. By eliminating this
entanglement of desires, we can reach
DIFFERENCES the final stage called Nirvana also
called nothingness.
The Supreme Creator
- Hinduism believes that the universe The Emphasis On Vegetarianism
was created by a Universal God. They - Religious Hindus (those who are
also allow the supreme creator to be attached to some Hindu religious
worshipped in various expressions and organisation) in India and the world are
manifestations. predominantly vegetarian.
- Jainism denies that the universe was - As for Jainism, it is the only religion in
created by any deity. In fact, according the world which is uncompromising,
to Jainism, the universe is eternal and unambiguous and unfailing in its
was never created. support to a meatless and eggless
- Buddha was silent on God. As per diet. It is said that consuming meat or
Buddhism (especially early Buddhism, egg is unbecoming a Jain.
known as Theravada Buddhism), - On the other hand, Therevada
thinking about God is futile towards the Buddhism allows its monks and nuns
practice of spirituality and liberation to accept meat in their bowl if the
from the Karma bondage. Know more animal was not specifically slaughtered
about Astrology and Religion. for them. Mahayana Buddhism is more
for vegetarianism and most of its
The Nature Of Soul schools forbid the monks and nuns
- Most of the Hindus believe in a soul. from consuming meat at all. In
According to mainstream Hinduism, as practice, the lay followers of Buddhism
per the play of Maya, the soul has (not the monks and nuns) are
been separated from the Supreme predominantly meat-eaters in most
Soul (Parmatma) and the ultimate parts of the world.
purpose of the soul is to merge back
into the Supreme Soul, which is called
Moksha.
- As for Jainism, they believe that every
soul is itself potentially a Supreme
Soul. Thus, the purpose of human life
is to divest the bad karma from the
soul so that it becomes the Supreme
Soul, a stage which is referred to as
Moksha or Kaivalya.
- Well, Buddhism is the sole significant
religion not just in India but across the
world, which denies the existence of
the soul. As per Buddhism, it is our