Garbhagriha

Garbhagriha or Unicode|garbha gṛha is a Sanskrit word meaning the interior of the sanctum sanctorum, the innermost sanctum of a Hindu temple where resides themurti (idol or icon) of primary deity of the temple. Literally the word means "womb chamber" from Sanskrit word "garbha" for womb and "griha" for house. Only priests are allowed to enter. [cite web
url=http://www.experiencefestival.com/a/Garbhagriha/id/59594
title=Garbhagriha
publisher=
accessdate=2007-01-24] [cite web
url=http://www.indoarch.org/arch_glossary.php
title=Architecture of the Indian Subcontinent - Glossary
publisher=
accessdate=2007-01-24] [cite web
url=http://www.templenet.com/glossary.html
title=Templenet - Glossary
publisher=
accessdate=2007-01-29]

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 IAST|garbha gṛha 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.cite web
url=http://www.kalakeralam.com/handicrafts/keralatemples.htm
title=Temple Architecture
publisher=
accessdate=2007-01-24]

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. [cite book
first= Binda
last= Thapar
year= 2004
title= Introduction to Indian Architecture
edition=
publisher= Periplus Editions
location=Singapore
pages= p 43
id= ISBN 0794600115]

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

* [http://www.kalakeralam.com/handicrafts/keralatemples.htm Temple architecture]
* [http://www.art-and-archaeology.com/india/temple1.html Parts of a North Indian Temple]

References

* George Michell; Monuments of India (Penguin Guides, Vol. 1, 1989)