Author: Philip Edward Harding

Publisher:

Published: 2004

Total Pages: 146

ISBN-13:

The use of geometry and mathematics to give shape to sacred and ritual space in South Asia is a practice that goes back further than our ability to trace. The earliest texts on geometry, the Sulbasutras which date back to before 500 BC, are primarily concerned with the practical problems that would aid in the laying out of Vedic altars and ritual spaces. In later periods there appear to be forms of design geometry that grow out of the inherent properties of circles, squares, triangles, grids, and patterns of radiating lines. While some forms are widespread and persistent, different regions during different periods developed and applied their geometric vocabularies in different and unique ways. It may not be possible to determine the symbolic meanings behind various geometric constructions, but by studying accurately measured drawings of ancient monuments, we can uncover some of the constructions used. I have several objectives in this current work. The first is to review how other modem researchers as well as traditional Indian texts have themselves approached and classified Indian temple forms. I am especially interested in showing the limits of universalizing, or treating the Hindu temple as a monolithic, archetypal idea, used by some authors, particularly where some have proposed the grids of the vastupurusa and related mandala grids as being the underlying geometry of all Hindu temples. This tendency has lead some to apply grids to plans where they do not fit and has diverted the inquiry away from other constructions that could more fully explain the monuments. I will then look at geometry in the Sulbasutras and their relation to Vedic altars and later temples, and will briefly consider systems of measurement and the sort of simple geometric and mathematical constructions that any traditional master mason or carpenter might be expected to know. Finally I will take a new approach to the use of geometry in the Durga temple of Aihole. With the use of computer-aided design I will show that the Early Western Chalukyan builders of the Durga temple used simple geometric proportions with an unexpected degree of precision.