A Study of the Relationship between the Architecture and Iconography with Special Reference to Tripureswara Mahadev Temple
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Central Department of Nepalese History, Culture and Archaeology
Abstract
This thesis is the study of the relation between the main deity and the
iconography of various deities placed around the courtyard and on the exterior
of the temples facade with special reference to the Tripureswara Mahadev
Temple, Tripureswara, Kathmandu. This research revealed the, Ashta Bhairava,
Ashta Matrika, Navagraha, Dikplalas, Naag and Naagin to be the prominent
deities placed on the temple façade or around the temple complex in specific
directions. The presence of all these associated or secondary deities in the
temple of Lord Siva, is like an assembly being presided by him and attended by
all the other gods and goddesses showing due respect to him as one among the
most powerful Hindu-trinity. This study analyses the symbolic meaning and
purpose of the placement of these iconographic representations and the function
they serve, as a part of the visual aesthetics of temple architecture.
The findings of my research, suggests a multi-layered protection of the sacred
space where humans come to immerse themselves in devotion and worship,
keeping aside all worldly matters and tensions. The presence of the Astamatrika,
Astabhairava, Dikpala, Navagraha are all symbolic representations performing
the acts of protection in the ways they are ascribed to by the religious texts. The
very placement of these multiple layers of protection shows the sacred value of
these temples as abodes of spiritual, physical and emotional refuge for
protection, peace, devotion and veneration.
The findings suggest protection as a core element of Hinduism. Protection can be
from various calamities, natural and manmade. Hindus universally, make
numerous rituals to appease the deities for protection from negative forces, thus,
temples or abode of the gods and goddesses are constructed with these multilayered
protections by guardian deities in hierarchal order. The temples are
therefore the most sanctified, sacred and pure spaces used primarily for religious
purposes and their courtyards also serve as venues for social activities.
Besides the guardian deities, this temple, the subject of this thesis, also has the
deities of the Panchayatan cult placed in smaller shrines in between the four
cardinal directions on the second plinth of the temple. These shrines are built in
the multi-tiered style of temple architecture, just like the main temple but have
two tiered roofs, unlike the three tiered roof of the main temple. The presence of
the deities of the Panchayatan cult: Visnu, Surya, Devi and Ganesh show the
prevalence of religious syncretism and practice of Tantrism during the Shah era
of Nepalese history.