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HPAS/Allied Mains 2022 Answer Writing Challenge Day 7 : Model Answer
| Understanding of question: Here first mention the school of temple architecture to which Kajuraho belong(Nagara) mention some points about this school. Then discuss the 2nd part of the question. | ||
| Introduction | India is known to have more than 2 million Hindu temples. These temples reflect the variety of Indian culture and way of life. Temple architecture in India has always embodied an underlying vision. It is a representation of experience, space and time. The art and architecture involved in the construction of Hindu Temples is well defined in the Shilpa Shastra. It mentions three main kinds of temple architecture in India: Nagara or the Northern Style, Dravida or the Southern style and Vesara or the Mixed style. | |
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| Main Body | The Temples of Khajuraho are a magnificent example of the Nagara style of temples. Khajuraho, known for its ornate temples, was built by the Chandela rulers between 900 CE to 1130 CE. The first mention of Khajuraho and its temples is in the accounts of Abu Rahyan al Biruni ( 1022 CE) and Ibn Batuta (1335 CE). Salient features 1. In these temples, both the interior and exterior walls were lavishly decorated with carvings. 2. The sculptures were generally erotic in their themes and drew inspiration from Vatsyayana’s Kamasutra. 3. The temples were made of sandstone. 4. The temples had three chambers – garbhagriha, mandapa and ardha-mandapa. 5. Some temples had a vestibular entrance to the garbhagriha known as antarala. 6. The temples were generally north or east facing. 7. Panchayatan style of temple making was followed. Even the subsidiary shrines had rekha-prasad shikharas. This created an impression of a mountain range. 8. The temples were built on relatively high platform and belong to Hindu as well as Jain religion. | |
| Conclusion | Erotic imagery is very common in the Temples of Khajuraho. Sculptures of celestial nymphs with broad hips, heavy breasts and languishing eyes are commonly found in the Kandariya Mahadeva and Vishwanath Temple. These sculptures are believed to reflect the idea of female beauty and fertility. Other scenes depicted on the walls of the temples are a part of the Narathara (the human life cycle) signifying how sexual procreation and kama are an essential aspect of human life. | |
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