AGAMA SHASTRA:THE SCIENCE BEHIND THE MARVELS OF HINDU ARCHI…

Therefore, Agama Shastra is a collection of ideas that drafts the rules for worship, temple construction, spirituality and rituals. It has been a guideline for many Hindus from ancient times. It's a collection of Sanskrit, Tamil and Grantha scriptures that mostly contains...

...methods of temple construction, idol creation, philosophical doctrines and meditative practices. It came into being after years of assimiliation and from a variety of sources. Some parts of it are pre-vedic while some are post-vedic.

Hindu Temples are not just temples, they are the pride and identity of Hindus. They are the symbols of Hindu unity and their religious aspirations. Temples are the places of spiritual healing and are our connection with the creator almighty.

Temples are the priceless treasure of our History, Heritage ,Art & Architecture. Architecture that mesmerises and spell bounds you. And Agama Shastra is that very text which is responsible for such a mesmerising and spell binding quality and beauty of our Hindu Temples.

Its between 6th&12th centuries CE dat several Agama texts were compiled as part of sakalaradhana (idol worship).They very minutely give guidelines for construction of temples&sculptures.Kamikagama, Vaikhanasagama&Padmasamhita r important agamas giving details of such construction

Agama Shastra plays a very significant role in consecration and construction of Hindu Temples.
The Four Padas
Each of the Agamas consists of four parts-
Kriya Pada-Lays out details for worship and temple construction.
Charya Pada-describes rules and code of conduct for worship.

Yoga Pada-describes the physical and mental practices that lead to unification with higher consciousness.
Jnana Pada-describes the philosophy and worldview.
Temples and places of worship cannot be built haphazardly. These architectural marvels are the marvels for a reason...

...as they are intricately designed as per the rules laid down in the Agama Shastra. There are rules about every aspect, including the smallest detail from the positioning of the holy figurine to the materials from which the temple is to be constructed.

Vedic guidelines focus more on Bhavan building whereas Agama Shastra dwells at length on idols and figurines of Deities. It is a scientific blueprint for temple making. Most elaborate & explicit rules are laid down in Agamas for Shilp(the art of sculpture).

They describe quality requirements of the places where temples can be built,kind of images to be installed,materials to be used,dimensions,proportion of materials,air circulation,lighting in temple complex etc.The Manasara &Silpasara r some of the works dealing with these rules.

Agama prescriptions form the basis for worship at home or temples as it exists today. They cover the entire activities associated with temples, it's functions and purposes. These include the training manuals for performing priests, their initiation into worship service...

...the worship procedures specially designed for each type of deity, the details of daily rituals, occasional celebrations, festivals etc.
The Hindu Temples are spread over a vast territorial space all over the Indian Subcontinent.

And it is truly unbelievable that how Agama Shastra is followed throughout the majority of these temples, in spite of the vast cultural and regional differences. It's the divinity of Agama Shastra that makes our temples divine.

Sanatan Dharma doesn't confine itself to a single text or a single approach to Dharma which is why it is so rich and vibrant. It's complexity makes it unique. It's the only religion with science at its heart.

It's b'coz of the scientific base of Sanatan Dharma that our temples are so profound and wonderful from the Times immemorial and the modern architecture has still a lot to learn from them. Our temples are the real wonders of the world right from the ancient to the modern times.

Our temples are the real wonders of the world right from the ancient to the modern times. You believe it or you don't but that doesn't change the fact.

Jaitu Sanatan 🌺🙏