Early Hindu Art, Hindu Temples

What is Sri Lanka's most famous statue?

46 feet long recumbent Buddha

Vishnu

A conch shell or Shankha, held by the upper left hand, represents Vishnu's power to create and maintain the universe The chakra, a sharp-spinning discus-like weapon, held by the upper right hand, symbolizes the purified spiritualized mind. A mace or Gada, held by the lower left hand, symbolizes Vishnu's divine power is the source all spiritual, mental and physical strength. A lotus flower or Padma, held by the lower right hand, represents spiritual liberation and Divine perfection.

Which one is the most spectacular? Which god?

Agnkor Wat Vishnu

Decoration on 6th Century temple at Deogarh? Why? Who sleeps, guards?

Decoration protects doorway It serves as a transition from mundane to sublime on the inside Vishnu sleeps and guards the door

What distinguishes the Southern Temple like Thanjavur?

Dedicated to Shiva 210 feet tall Pyramidal tower

Devi

Devi is the sum of all manifestations or forms of the Mother. All forms be they Lakshmi, Kali, or Durga are forms of Devi. As Jaganmata, or Mother of the universe, she assumes cosmic proportions, destroying evil and ever creating and dissolving universes.

Describe the boar avatar of Vishnu

Found in the earliest cave temples near Sanchi 13 feet tall Boar's head- human body One foot on snake who tried to abduct earth Rows of god and sage witnesses

What adorns the exterior walls of Khajuraho's temple? Symbolism?

Gods and mortals Mithunas engaged in sex Semi-nude yakshis Symbolism fertility and new life

Ganesh

He is the first born son of Shiva and Parvati

What is at Elephanta?

Hindu single cave site - main statue = Shiva- 9th to 13th Centuries

Krishna (and Radha)

Krishna is not only the ultimate object of all love, but also is the topmost enjoyer of all loving relationships. Therefore, in the dynamic and expanding form of Krishna, He has unlimited desires to enjoy spiritual loving relationships or pastimes, known as leela. To do this, He expands Himself into the dual form of Krishna and Radha, His eternal consort and topmost devotee. In other words, Radha is the feminine aspect of Lord Krishna and is non-different from Krishna, but together (both the masculine and feminine aspects). They fulfill the purpose of engaging in sublime loving pastimes to exhibit supremely transcendental loving exchanges.

Explain the mountian/cave symbolism of Northern temples.

Mountain = Shiva's home in Himalayas Diety manifests himself in the cave or womb inside the mountain Note Northern tapered towers, crowded together

Parvati

Parvati is the provider of shakti. Without her, life is completely powerless. This power is required to see, to hear, to feel, to think, to inhale and exhale, to walk, to eat, and to do anything else. The goddess is worshiped by all gods, the Trimurti, and all other beings.

Describe Mamallapuram.

Rock-cut temple Southern style - Stepped pyramid, flat top

Shiva

Shiva is beyond and above any kind of force. He is the master of Shakti. The tiger skin that he wears symbolises victory over every force goddess of power and force

Describe the 3-faced shiva at elephanta. What does the middle face represent?

Shiva superhuman - 18 feet high Right side female, Uma creative spirit Left side fierce male, Bhairava destructive spirit Middle face balances the two forces

What is garbha griha

The "womb chamber" which houses the images or symbols of the diety Inner sanctuary for priests only

Vishnu (and Lakshmi)

When Vishnu contemplated the creation of mankind, a lotus sprang out of his navel. Seated on it was the four-headed Brahma, illuminating all the directions with his brightness

What is a tilaka?

a mark worn on the forehead or other parts of the body as a sign of spiritual devotion

What are the faces at Bayan?

a well-known and richly decorated Khmer temple at Angkor in Cambodia

Lakshmana

brother of rama

Describe Borobudur in Java

is a 9th-century Mahayana Buddhist Temple in Magelang, Central Java, Indonesia. The monument consists of six square platforms topped by three circular platforms and is decorated with 2,672 relief panels and 504 Buddha statues

Rama and Sita

one of the most famous love stories of all time

Khmer Kings built what engineering marvel?

rulers for 4 centuries in Cambodia built a grand complex of temples and palaces in a rectangular grid of canals and reservoirs fed by local rivers

Describe Shiva Nataraja

the lord of dance He holds fire in his upper left hand, with which he destroys the world at the end of each cosmic cycle. A drum in his upper right hand produces a sound that creates the world anew. His left leg lifts gracefully in a dance posture, as he unites the creative and destructive elements forming the universe Shiva is treated as a living being. Food is offered as well as gifts, incense, and flowers Shiva eats the "essence" leaving the remainder for the worshipper In a temple, priests feed, clothe, and take care of him