Sun temple: 2 definitions

Introduction:

Sun temple means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.

In Hinduism

Jyotisha (astronomy and astrology)

[«previous next»] — Sun temple in Jyotisha glossary
Source: archive.org: South Indian Festivities (astronomy)

Sun temple.—The bundles of rays emanating from the sun, are absorbed by the cosmic centres—the planets—and are then radiated on earth, as bundles of different coloured rays, each planet contributing one variety of colour. All forms in this world have centres in the subtle web of tenuous matter surrounding and interpenetrating them. The rays from the planets pass through all or some of these centres and converge diffusing a halo of light around the form more or less bright, setting in relief the most prominent colour ray reflected by the form. The combination of rays of different colours in an infinite variety ofways has caused the conception of diversity in forms. This highly philosophical conception is presented in the construction of the sun temple.

Jyotisha book cover
context information

Jyotisha (ज्योतिष, jyotiṣa or jyotish) refers to ‘astronomy’ or “Vedic astrology” and represents the fifth of the six Vedangas (additional sciences to be studied along with the Vedas). Jyotisha concerns itself with the study and prediction of the movements of celestial bodies, in order to calculate the auspicious time for rituals and ceremonies.

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Vastushastra (architecture)

Source: Shodhganga: Elements of Art and Architecture in the Trtiyakhanda of the Visnudharmottarapurana (vastu)

Sun Temples were commonly build according to the principles of ancient Indian architecture, according to literature such as the Bṛhatsaṃhitā and the Viṣṇudharmottarapurāṇa, an ancient Sanskrit text which (being encyclopedic in nature) deals with a variety of cultural topics such as arts, architecture, music, grammar and astronomy.—According to the Bṛhatsaṃhitā, two images of doorkeepers should be placed in a temple and the Viṣṇudharmottarapurāṇa says that both sides of the steps of a temple should be decorated with the statue of two lions. The Sun temple of Konark is a great example of this Architecture as two statues of lions can be noticed in both the sides of the staircase.

Vastushastra book cover
context information

Vastushastra (वास्तुशास्त्र, vāstuśāstra) refers to the ancient Indian science (shastra) of architecture (vastu), dealing with topics such architecture, sculpture, town-building, fort building and various other constructions. Vastu also deals with the philosophy of the architectural relation with the cosmic universe.

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