In Hindu temple architecture, a ratha is a facet or vertical offset projection on the plan of a structure, in particular of the shikhara above the sanctum.[1][2] The term has the same meaning when applied to the forms of the bases of statues.
A ratha is generally carried up from the bottom of the temple to the superstructure.[3][4] The corners of each ratha touch notional circles on the plan of the temple, centred on the murti or cult image inside the sanctum. The sides are oriented along the main horizontal axis of the temple (normally running east–west) or at right angles to it, generating (except around the entrance to the sanctum) a multi-faceted plan that harmonizes the square and the circle, becoming more circular in overall shape as the number of rathas increases.
The rathas (facets) may be decorated with geometric figures or statues, such as statues of a gatekeeper watching outside or a niche with a statue of a deity. Sometimes, the facet of the ratha is hollowed to the interior; these are rathas with recesses. If there is only one facet, this is a temple with three rathas (triratha): the wall and the facet on the left and on the right.
If there are a main facet and a secondary one, the temple has five rathas (pancharatha). There are also temples with seven rathas (saptaratha)[5][6] and nine rathas (navaratha).
In Sanskrit, the word "ratha" means "cart" or "chariot", but the link with this meaning is not clear. A ratha, meaning cart, is also the temple chariot used for processing the murti at festivals, and a "ratha temple" is one designed to resemble a cart, with wheels on the sides, and often horses.[7] The most famous example is the Sun Temple, Konarak.[8]
^Hardy, Adam (1995). Indian Temple Architecture: Form and Transformation : the Karṇāṭa Drāviḍa Tradition, 7th to 13th Centuries. Abhinav Publications. p. 59. ISBN9788170173120. Retrieved 3 June 2019.
Harle, J.C., The Art and Architecture of the Indian Subcontinent, 2nd edn. 1994, Yale University Press Pelican History of Art, ISBN0300062176
January 20, 2023
ratha, architecture, hindu, temple, architecture, ratha, facet, vertical, offset, projection, plan, structure, particular, shikhara, above, sanctum, term, same, meaning, when, applied, forms, bases, statues, plans, main, types, buildings, with, ratha, drawing,. In Hindu temple architecture a ratha is a facet or vertical offset projection on the plan of a structure in particular of the shikhara above the sanctum 1 2 The term has the same meaning when applied to the forms of the bases of statues Plans of the main types of buildings with ratha Drawing of a pancharatha 5 ratha plan A ratha is generally carried up from the bottom of the temple to the superstructure 3 4 The corners of each ratha touch notional circles on the plan of the temple centred on the murti or cult image inside the sanctum The sides are oriented along the main horizontal axis of the temple normally running east west or at right angles to it generating except around the entrance to the sanctum a multi faceted plan that harmonizes the square and the circle becoming more circular in overall shape as the number of rathas increases The rathas facets may be decorated with geometric figures or statues such as statues of a gatekeeper watching outside or a niche with a statue of a deity Sometimes the facet of the ratha is hollowed to the interior these are rathas with recesses If there is only one facet this is a temple with three rathas triratha the wall and the facet on the left and on the right If there are a main facet and a secondary one the temple has five rathas pancharatha There are also temples with seven rathas saptaratha 5 6 and nine rathas navaratha Contents 1 Etymology 2 Examples of triratha temples 3 Examples of pancharatha temples 4 Examples of saptaratha temples 5 Examples of navaratha temples 6 Notes 7 ReferencesEtymology EditIn Sanskrit the word ratha means cart or chariot but the link with this meaning is not clear A ratha meaning cart is also the temple chariot used for processing the murti at festivals and a ratha temple is one designed to resemble a cart with wheels on the sides and often horses 7 The most famous example is the Sun Temple Konarak 8 Examples of triratha temples EditParasurameswar Temple in BhubaneswarTriratha temples Parasurameswar TempleExamples of pancharatha temples EditLingaraja Temple in Bhubaneswar Lakshmana Temple in Khajuraho Jagannath Temple in Puri Orissa Pancharatha temples Isanesvara Siva Temple in Bhubaneswar Jagannath Temple in Baripada Lingaraja Temple in Bhubaneswar Main article PancharathaExamples of saptaratha temples EditChaturbhuja Temple in Khajuraho Shiva Lakhesvara Temple near Bhubaneswar Shikhara of the temple of Swayambhunath in KatmandouSaptratha temples Chaturbhuja Temple Shikhara of SwayambunathExamples of navaratha temples EditAdinath Temple in Khajuraho Vamana temple in Khajuraho Shiva Purvesvara Temple near BhubaneswarNavaratha temples Vamana Temple Adinath TempleNotes Edit Harris Cyril M 2013 Illustrated Dictionary of Historic Architecture Courier Corporation ISBN 9780486132112 Retrieved 3 June 2019 Eagle Andrew Karmaker Kongkon 8 July 2017 Dinajpur temple sheds new light on distant past The Daily Star Retrieved 3 June 2019 Harle 153 Orissa Tourism Temple Architecture of Orissa Temples of Orissa Orissa Temples Architecture of Temples of Orissa Oriya Culture Temple Tours of Orissa Orissa Tourism tourism oriyaonline com oriyaonline com Architecture banglapedia org Saptaratha spiritualvedicnames com Hardy Adam 1995 Indian Temple Architecture Form and Transformation the Karṇaṭa Draviḍa Tradition 7th to 13th Centuries Abhinav Publications p 59 ISBN 9788170173120 Retrieved 3 June 2019 Harle 252References EditHarle J C The Art and Architecture of the Indian Subcontinent 2nd edn 1994 Yale University Press Pelican History of Art ISBN 0300062176 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Ratha architecture amp oldid 1083108843, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
