It is also known as garbagraham in Tamil. Although the term is often associated with Hindu temples, it is also found in Jain and Buddhist temples.
Architecture
In temples with a spire or vimana, this chamber is placed directly underneath it, and the two of them form a main vertical axis of the temple. These together may be understood to represent the axis of the world through Mount Meru. The garbha griham is usually also on the main horizontal axis of the temple which generally is an east-west axis. In those temples where there is also a cross-axis, the is generally at their intersection.Generally the garbhagriha is a windowless and sparsely lit chamber, intentionally created thus to focus the devotee's mind on the tangible form of the divine within it. Entrance to the garbha grha may be restricted to priests who perform the services there.
Hinduism
In the Dravida style, the garbhagriha took the form of a miniature vimana with other features exclusive to southern Indian temple architecture such as the inner wall together with the outer wall creating a pradakshina around the garbhagriha. The entrance is highly decorated. The inner garbhagriha or shrine became a separate structure, more elaborately adorned over time.
The garbhagriha is always square and sits on a plinth, its location calculated to be a point of total equilibrium and harmony as it is representative of a microcosm of the universe. In the center is placed the image of the deity.
Kerala
The present structure of most of these temples is a two storeyed vimana with a square garbhagriha and a surrounting circumambulatory path, an ardha-mandapa and a narrower maha-mandapa.External links
References
- George Michell; Monuments of India (Penguin Guides, Vol. 1, 1989)
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Last updated on Monday June 09, 2008 at 22:27:33 PDT (GMT -0700)
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