The Indian architecture probably counts to most varied in the whole world. One nowhere discovers so many splendid constructions to so narrow space like in India. Because of many different people and religions in India the influence on the architecture is marked largely and from several cultures. Besides, India owns a long tradition and early forms of the civilisation can be proved in this area; that’s why there are in India also a lot of reports of old architecture from the early time (for example, the ruins of Mohenjo-Daro). But also the influence of the different religions of India has left tracks in the architecture; above all the variety in temple constructions is especially worth mentioning here.
It are central in the essentials the architecture of the Buddhist temples and cloisters and the Stambhas, the architecture of the Hindu temple arrangements, the jainistic architecture as well as the Islamic and sikhistic construction method. As the last the construction method of the colonial age of India would be still worth mentioning.
Short overview about Buddhist architecture
Typically for the Buddhist architecture the beginning of the monumental structure manner as well as the Stupa (dome-like building) is as an Indian cult construction. The Stupas of Sanchi belong to the most important and oldest reports of old architecture. In the Buddhist architecture two forms of the architecture are interesting; on the one hand the construction of temples in caves and on the other hand the staying empty temples. For the cave temples the arrangements in Karla and Ajanta stand exemplary; they belong to the most richly decorated cave temples in India and are worth seeing, in any case, because of their construction method as well as because of the pieces of art. As an important building of the Buddhist architecture the Mahabodhi temple is valid in Bodhgaya which takes a very big value for the population of India, because one says that here Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha) has attained the enlightenment. That’s why mystic and sacred attaches to this construction a little bit very much. Stambhas (monolith columns) there is in India at several places which were valid in days of yore as important approach points (bigger places, etc.); very much the Stambha is known by Sarnath whose capital is crowned by four lions and the Indian wheel of the apprenticeship (Dharmachakra).
Short overview about jainistic architecture
On the whole the jainistic architecture does not differ so much from the Buddhist construction method; this is valid at least for the outside view of the temple. Nevertheless, the inside jainistic temple is so richly in splendid pieces of art which one will hardly trust to his eyes. The interiors are mostly adorned by substantial works of stonecutters which often shine in the nicest white marble. In contrast to the temples of other religions it is not recited in these rooms, but is thought to the actions of the jainistic divinities (Tirthankaras). The best known temple arrangement shows Shravana Belgola close Mysore, above all because of a gigantic Gommata to statue.
Short overview about sikhistic architecture
The sikhistic temples are called “Gurdwara”. Often these serve not only as a prayer site, but, for example, also for supplies, as flats or other; that’s why the Gurdwara are mostly no single buildings, but a whole complex of buildings with several different buildings to the other use. The Persian influence as well as some characteristic features of Islamic architecture in the sikhistic construction method is remarkable. The best known and probably also the most important Gurdwara in India is of the Harmandir Sahib in Amritsar which is called because of its gilt domed roofs also „of golden temples“.
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- homestay architecture
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