Structural Temples of Gujarat

SR No.: 006728
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Kantilal F Sompura
Publisher: Gujarat University Ahmedabad
Publication Year: 1968
Total Pages: 868
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 31 MB

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The Structural Temples of Gujarat
fixing of a peg for determining the cardinal points, the observation of pole-star.5
So, when, once the site of temple is selected, the next step consists in determination of due East. The predominance of East, the direction of the rising sun, is markedly noticeable in ancient temple construction. The predilection is that the deity in the cell and the whole temple should generally face the East. The object is good light and free ventilation. There are several temples now in existance where it may be observed that the stream of light from morning sun penetrates straight through a series of aperatures and gateways, into the cell, i. e. Girbhagriha as if touching the Deity's feet in worship before beginning his diurnal rounds.
How the phenomenon of the Solar spectrum of Western science is expressed by Indian architects by this theory of orientation is elaborately pointed out by Shri P. A. Mankad the editor of Aparajitapṛccha. He says, "The eastern face of structures, both in plan and elevation, when freely set in direction, gets full and direct exposure to the field of action of solar rediation. As soon as the early dawn breaks, the eastern verandah is flooded, so to say, by early invisible ultra-violet radiation which is the first in order to be felt; as the down advances into Usa, Aruna and actual sunrise, the different luminous visible rays go on impinging that face. They can thus be utilized as the exigencies of life demand, as towards sunrise all the radiations from ultra-violet on the extreme northern end of the eastern facet to the whole range of visible radiation ending in Infra-red on the extreme southern end of the same
5. LSJS. pp. 9-10 also figs. 1 & 2 opp. p. 10.
Astronomical treatises like Surya-Siddhanta (Ill-1-51), SiddhantaŠiromani (VII 36-39) and Lilavati (I sec. 4, Xl, 1-10, part 2), Brahma Siddhanta-sphuta of Brahmagupta (XIX-1-20); Panca-Siddhanta of Varahamihira (II, 10-13 XIV, 1-11, 14-22) have also dealt with this cardinal principle of orientation to be observed by Indian architecture.