A Note on Vimaana

-

The term VIMAANA has various interpretations. For our purposes it refers to the TOWER or SHIKHARA above the sanctum. The body of a VIMAANA is complex and multi-layered and they rise up in six stages. Each layer is called a VARGA.
While the sculptures on the DWAARA GOPURAS could house any subject, the VIMAANA has to be austere and can carry only the prescribed divinities associated with the presiding deity of the temple.
The crowning glory of the VIMANA is called KALASHA ( ಕಲಶ ). The KALASHA is not imbedded into the structure by packing it with mortar or cement but placed in position by a hollow rod that juts out of the centre of the tower. There are several symbolisms associated with KALASHA.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Iconographical Features of Chaturvimshati Murtis

-
Image
It may be noted that all the 24 forms of VISHNU are : STHAANAKA ( standing in posture ) ; SAMASTHAANAKA ( without bends ) ; SHAANTA or SAUMYA VAKTRA( pacific in countenance ) ; and CHATURBHUJA ( four armed ). They have a tall crown, a VANAMAALA ...( garland of wild flowers ) and KAUSTUBHA MANI ( Kaustubha gem ) on the chest. They are also bedecked with with ornaments like wristlets, armlets, necklaces and earpieces. A picture of ANIRUDDHA ( sixteenth form of VISHNU ) is also posted below for a closer study of the iconographical features of the Chaturvimshatimurtis. ANIRUDDHA ( G - S - P - C ) on the wall of the temple under study
Read more

Lakshmi Narasimha Temple

-
Image
Lakshmi Narasimha Temple The temple in the picture is the rear portion of the LAKSHMI NARASIMHA TEMPLE, at NUGGEHALLI, which is approximately 20 kilometers from CHANNARAYAPATTANA in Hassan district of Karnataka. Nuggehalli, formerly known as VIJAYA SOMANATHAPURA has two HOYSALA STRUCTURES: the temple under study now and the SADASIVA TEMPLE. The LAKSHMI NARASIMHA TEMPLE was consecrated in SHALIVAHANA SHAKA 1168 (Paraabhava samvatsara, Chaitra Shukla Panchami, Wednesday) corresponding to A.D.1246. The temple under study is a three celled structure i.e., a TRIKOOTA housing KESHAVA (facing east) in the central Cell, VENUGOPALA (facing north) to the right of Keshava and LAKSHMI NARASIMHA (facing south) to the left of Keshava. Though the temple has three ARCHA IMAGES i.e, images that are worshipped it is referred to as LAKSHMI NARASIMHA TEMPLE. The temple stands on a platform called JAGATI ( ಜಗತಿ ) (in the picture you see a few people sitting on the JAGATI). The JAGATI follows th...
Read more

The Vimaana of the Temple Under Study

-
Image
Vimaana of the Lakshminarasimha Temple The main tower, a photo of which is seen above, is composed of three rows of turrets and is surmounted by a stone KALASHA ( ಕಲಶ ). Its face has a KIRTIMUKHA ( ಕೀರ್ತಿಮುಖ ) with GARUDA ( ಗರುಡ ) in the centre ( the attached photo does not show this part ). Below the KIRTIMUKHA is a four- armed YAKSHA. Various forms of VISHNU ( ವಿಷ್ಣು ) have been carved on the other three faces. There are two other towers - one each on the other two sanctums but they are later additions and out of harmony with the main tower.
Read more