The document discusses Hindu architecture and sculpture in India from ancient times to the medieval period. It describes the guiding principles of Shilpa Shastra and Vaastu Shastra that governed artistic forms and construction. Several exemplary temples are highlighted from different historical periods, including the Temple of Vishnu at Deogarh from the 6th century, the caves at Elephanta and Ellora from the 7th-8th centuries, and the iconic Kandariya Mahadeva Temple at Khajuraho from the early 11th century. The Gupta dynasty from the 4th-6th centuries AD is noted as a golden age when Hindu, Buddhist and Jain art flourished under stable

1. Hindu architecture and
sculpture
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2. Shilpa Shastra “Sculpture Science”
• In
the
Hindu
religion,
when
form
is
constructed
within
norms
established
in
the
Upanishads
(da+ng
perhaps
as
far
back
as
6000
BCE),
it
will
be
imbued
with
the
quali+es
of
the
divine
and
the
deity
will
be
truly
expressed
through
the
image
(and
reside
in
the
image).

3. Vaastu Shastra “construction
science”• Set
of
guidelines
for
construc+on
of
edifices,
plazas
and
even
city
planning

5. Examplary Hindu Temples and sites
• Temple
of
Vishnu
at
Deogarh
(ca.
500
AD)
• Cave
I,
Elephanta
(ca.
550
–
783)
• Great
Relief
of
Mamallapuram
(ca.
630
AD)
• Kailasanatha
Temple
(“cave”
16)
at
Ellora
(757
–
783)
also
known
as
Kailasa
Temple
• Kandariya
Mahadeva
Temple
at
Khajuraho
(1004
–
1035)
• Shiva
Nataraja
Temple,
Chidambaram
(ca.
1000s)

6. Gupta
dynasty:
“Golden age
of Indian Art
Although
the
leaders
of
the
Gupta
dynasty
were
Buddhist,
the
art
of
all
religions
(especially
Buddhism,
Hinduism
and
Jainism)
flourished
under
their
leadership,
as
it
was
a
+me
of
peace
and
prosperity.
320
–
550
AD

10. Temple of Vishnu,
Deogarh
ca. 500 AD
Ganga

12. Lakshmi

14. • 1000
steps
from
shore
to
temples

17. Entrance to Cave 1

18. Elephanta Cave ca. 550 – 783 AD

29. Great Relief of Mamallapuram
near Chennai, ca. 630 AD

36. Goats?

37. Kailasanatha Temple (Kailasa),
“cave 16”, Ellora, 757 – 773 AD

52. Jaina Temple “Cave 32” ca. 800 AD

53. Kandariya Mahadeva Temple,
Khajuraho, 999 AD

58. Shiva Nataraja Temple,
Chidambaram 11th century (rebuilt
1213) early Chola style

59. Entrance

64. Inner Sanctum (gold roof)