Temple architecture varies greatly depending on the cultural and historical context. Here are some key architectural elements commonly found. The Architecture Elements are : Garbhagriha (Womb Chamber) : The term garbhagriha comes from the Sanskrit words garbha for womb and griha for house. AlthoughRead more
Temple architecture varies greatly depending on the cultural and historical context. Here are some key architectural elements commonly found.
The Architecture Elements are :
- Garbhagriha (Womb Chamber) : The term garbhagriha comes from the Sanskrit words garbha for womb and griha for house. Although the term is often associated with Hindu temples, it is also found in Jain and Buddhist temples. The garbhagriha is the location of the murti (sacred image) of the temple’s primary deity.
- Mandapa : A mandapa or mandapa is a pillared hall or pavilion for public rituals in Indian architecture, especially featured in Hindu temple architecture and Jain temple architecture.
- Shikhara (Spire or Tower) : Shikhara, a Sanskrit word translating literally to “mountain peak”, refers to the rising tower in the Hindu temple architecture of North India, and also often used in Jain temples. A shikhara over the garbhagriha chamber where the presiding deity is enshrined is the most prominent and visible part of a Hindu temple of North India.
- Vimana (Temple Tower) : Vimana is the structure over the garbhagriha or inner sanctum in the Hindu temples of South India and Odisha in East India. Vimana are divided in two groups : jati vimanas that have up to four tala and mukhya vimana that have five tala and more.
- Amalaka (Capstone) : An amalaka, is a segmented or notched stone disk, usually with ridges on the rim, that sits on the top of a Hindu temple’s shikhara or main tower. According to one interpretation, the amalaka represents a lotus, and thus the symbolic seat for the deity below. Another interpretation is that it symbolizes the sun, and is thus the gateway to the heavenly world.
- Kalasha (Pot) : A kalasha is a finial, generally in the form of metal or stone spire, used to top the domes of Hindu temples. Kalashas as architectural feature has been used at least before the first millennium BCE and were made of terracotta and wood during this early period. They were used as decorative element placed on top of various types of buildings. They are mainly restricted to temple architecture in the contemporary period.
- Vahana : Vahana or Vahanam denotes the being, typically an animal or mythical entity, a particular Hindu deity is said to use as a vehicle. The vahana is often called the deity’s “mount”.
- Antarala : Antarala is a small antechamber or foyer between the garbhagriha (shrine) and the mandapa, more typical of north Indian temples.
- Jagati : In Hindu temple architecture, the jagati is the raised surface of the platform or terrace upon which Hindus, Jain, and Buddhist temples are built.
Air pollution refers to the presence of harmful particles in the air we breathe. Primary sources of air pollution include: 1. Industries: industries produce a large amount of harmful gases like nitrogen oxides, sulphur dioxide through their large power plants directly into the atmosphere. When theseRead more
Air pollution refers to the presence of harmful particles in the air we breathe.
Primary sources of air pollution include:
1. Industries: industries produce a large amount of harmful gases like nitrogen oxides, sulphur dioxide through their large power plants directly into the atmosphere. When these air is inhaled by us it can cause hazardous diseases.
2. Vehicles: cars, bikes, trucks burn fuel and give out exhaust fumes which contain air pollutants like carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides, when these pollutants are directly let into the atmosphere it causes air pollution.
3.Rural-household activites: In a few rural areas burning wood, coal, and other fuels for cooking is still encouraged. When these fuels are burned they emit harmful gases which cause air pollution.
4. Uncontrollable natural disasters: natural disasters like volcanic eruptions, dust storms release a lot of smoke & ash into the atmosphere which causes air pollution.
5. Chemical fertilizers used in agriculture: use of fertilizers and pesticides releases ammonia and other toxic chemicals directly into the air along with livestock farming which produces methane into the atmosphere which causes air pollution.
Air pollution can be reduced by the following ways:
1. Use of public transport: Adopting to use busses, trains and shared autos reduce the use of vehicles which produces harmful gases.
2.Saving energy: Turn off lights, appliances, and electronics when not in use. This reduces the demand for energy consumption, which in turn reduces the use of polluting power plants.
3. Recycle ♻️ and reuse: Reduce the use of newly produced materials by recycling the old materials like paper, glass, and plastic to reduce waste, which can create pollution.
4. Afforestation : Trees absorb carbon dioxide and other pollutants which is present in the air, helping to clean the atmosphere.
5.Usage of eco-friendly products: Choose products with fewer or no harmful chemicals, such as natural cleaners and low-VOC paints to reduce the air pollution.
6. Support clean energy: Use renewable energy sources like wind, solar power, or hydro power instead of fossil fuels which emit harmful gases into the air.
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