Doorway Design for Garbha Griha of Ancient Temples: A Prominent Feature of Temple Architecture

Magnificent Doorway of Chaturbhuj Temple, Khajuraho

Doorway Design for Garbha Griha of Ancient Temples: A Prominent Feature of Temple Architecture

·       It is believed that temple construction in India began during the Gupta period (c. 320 to 550 CE). The Temple No. – 17 at Sanchi (Near Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh) is considered as the earliest temple which was constructed with flat roof. The Dasavatar Temple (dedicated to Lord Vishnu) at Deogarh near Jhansi (in M.P.) depicts the intricacy of temple architecture and symbolic features. Khajuraho group of temples, Ancient Brick Temple at Bhaitargaon & Panchayatan Temple at Nibiyakheda near Kanpur, Kalinga style temples at Bhubaneswar & Konark , Pashupatinath Temple at Kathmandu etc. are finest specimen which are  indicative of the rich as well as deep architectural understanding of the artists, sculptors & artisans of bygone era. One thing common in all these temples is their unique design of entrance doorway to Sanctum sanatorum (i.e. Garbha Griha) with intricately carved pattern and meaningful features on jambs & lintels.

Prominent Features of Entrance Doorway Design for Grabh Griha of Temples

(A)     Features of doorway design consists of mainly following parts :

(i)                 Uttarang  – A horizontal lintel placed on the top portion of doorway, just above the

Lalatbimb.

(ii)              Lalatabimb – A divine figure carved at the centre of the Lintel which indicate about the main deity to whom the temple is dedicated to. If ‘Lord Ganesh’ figure is carved as Lalatbimb, the main deity placed inside Garbha Griha will be ‘Lord Shiva’. If ‘Gaja Laxmi’ figure is placed as Lalatabimb, the temple will be dedicated to ‘Lord Vishnu’.

(iii)           Shakha – Trimming or lining around the doorway jambs & lintels consisting of various figures is known as Shakhas or branches. The Sakhas are normally in odd numbers like 1, 3 (Trisakha), 5 (Panchsakha), 7 (Saptasakha) or 9 (Navasakha). Each Sakha consists of figures and pattern with intention to create a sense of positivity, purity and safety for the deity, temple as well as devotees.

(iv)             Stambha – On both sides of doorway Stambha or Pillars are placed with intricately carved figures. The purpose of using stambha are to provide proper support to the Lintel.

(v)                River Goddess / Dwarpala – Normally images of river goddess Ganga & Yamuna with their respective carrier (vahan) placed at the jambs of the doorway to garbha griha. Ganga is depicted standing on Makar whereas Yamuna on Kachhap (or Turtle). The purpose of placing images of river goddess at entrance was to purify the devotees before entering inside garbha ghriha. The most impressive terracotta images of river goddess have been found at ‘Ahichchatra’ near Bareilly in Uttar Pradesh.

Dwarapalas (or door guardians) are also placed at the lower portions of the door jambs to safeguard the deity as well as devotees.

(vi)             Mandaraka – The central carved stone at the threshold of the doorway of a temple. It is symbolic ‘ feet’ of the doorway as the ‘Lalatabimb’ is symbolic ‘head’ of the doorway.

(vii)          Udumbra – Raised bottom often adorned with full bloomed lotus, floral or aquatic motifs. As a devotee crosses the udumbara , he enters into a divine & spiritual field of the deity.

(B)     Display of Doorway patterns of Famous Temples

1. Temple No. – 17 , Sanchi (Madhya Pradesh)

The Earliest Temple

2. Dashavatar Temple, Deogarh (Madhya Pradesh)

Doorway of Dasavatar Temple, Deogarh

Dasavatar Temple , Deogarh (Madhya Pradesh)

3. Shri  Ram Lalla Temple, Ayodhya

Doorway to Lord Shri Ram Temple, Ayodhya

Dwarapala at Entrance

Ram Lalla Temple, Ayodhya

4. Khajuraho Group of Temples:

      Doorway of Chaturbhuj Temple, Khajuraho

Doorway of Parvati Temple, Khajuraho  

  Doorway of Parsvnath Temple, Khajuraho  

Doorway of Temples at Khajuraho  

5. Nibhiyakheda Brick Temple, near Kanpur

Top Lintel (Uttaranga) with Navagraha Panel, Lalatabimba, Shakhas etc. on Doorway

River Goddess Ganga image on Doorway

River Goddess Yamuna image on Doorway

Doorway of Nibiyakheda Brick Temple, Near Kanpur

6. Bhaitargoan Ancient Brick Temple, near Kanpur

  River Goddess Ganga & Yamuna images on the Entrance of Ancient Brick Temple, Bhaitargoan

River Goddess Ganga (in Terracotta) image on the Entrance of Ancient Brick Temple, Bhaitargoan

Ancient Brick Temple, Bhaitargoan (near Kanpur)

7. Konark Temple, Odisha

  Lalatbimba, intricately Carved Shakhas (09 Nos.) etc. on Entrance of Sun Temple, Konark

Intricately Carved Shakhas (09 Nos.) on Entrance of Sun Temple, Konark

Sun Temple , Konark, Odisha

8. Rajarani Temple, Bhubaneswar

Uttaranga, Lalatabimba, Shakhas, Naga & Nagins as Door Guardians on Entrance of Rajarani Temple

Naga & Nagins as Door Guardians on Entrance of Rajarani Temple

Intricately Carved Doorway of Rajarani Temple

Magnificent Rajarani Temple , Bhubaneswar

9. Mukteshwar Temple, Bhubaneswar

Intricately Carved Doorway & Torana of Mukteshwar Temple

 The archway or Torana in front of the main entrance of temple is the most striking feature of Mukteshwar Temple, Bhubaneswar.

  Intricately Carved Window of Mukteshwar Temple

 Magnificent Mukteshwar Temple , Bhabaneswar

10.            Pashupatinath Temple, Kathmandu, Nepal

  Intricately Carved Doorway at Pashupatinath Temple, Kathmandu

11.           Temples at Bhaktapur, Near Kathmandu, Nepal

  Entrance to Siddhi Lakshmi Temple at Bhaktapur, Near Kathmandu , Nepal

Intricately Carved Doors & Winows of 55 Windows Palace at Bhaktapur

12.           Goddess Ganga , Ahichchatra , Bareilly 

  Magnificent Terracotta image of River Goddess Ganga, at National Museum, New Delhi

13.           Goddess Yamuna, Ahichchatra , Bareilly

Magnificent Terracotta image of River Goddess Yamuna, at National Museum, New Delhi

14.           Door Lintels at National Museum, New Delhi

Intricately Carved Navgraha Door Panel at National Museum, New Delhi

 Intricately Carved Doorway Panel at National Museum, New Delhi 

# The deep philosophy, subtle feelings, meaningful features, intricate carvings, sense of purity & security which are incorporated in the design of doorway for the entrance of Garbha - griha of temples are completely mesmerizing.

While visiting temples henceforth, we may try to identify these unique features in the design of a particular doorway to the garbha griha of a temple.

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