Devayatanam

Context:

Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) of Ministry of Culture, Government of India is organizing a two-day international conference.

About Devayatanam:

• Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) of Ministry of Culture, Government of India is organizing a two-day international conference ‘Devayatanam – An odyssey of Indian temple architecture on 25th – 26th February 2022 at Hampi, Karnataka. 
• The Union Minister for Culture, Tourism and DoNER, G Kishan Reddy inaugurates the conference.
• It is a part of the celebration under Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav 
• The conference aims to deliberate upon the philosophical, religious, social, economic, technical, scientific, art and architectural aspects of the temple. It also intends to initiate a dialogue on the evolution and development of the various styles of temple architecture such as the Nagara, Vesara, Dravida, Kalinga and others.
• The temples of Hampi are already featured in the World Heritage List of UNESCO for their Sheer brilliance, Scale of imagination, and Scintillating architecture. Government has proposed Hoysala temples of Belur and Somnathpur to the UNESCO World Heritage List.
• Approximately 10 of India’s 40 UNESCO World Heritage Inscriptions are Hindu Temples in different architectural styles, patterns and symmetry.
• In 2021, Rudreswara Temple, (also known as the Ramappa Temple) at Mulugu district, Telangana has been inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage list.

Significance

• The conference provides a platform to discuss, deliberate and disseminate to the world the grandeur of Indian temples, art and architecture.
• This was in line with the overall vision of the Prime Minister which is based on 5 V’s, i. e. Vikas (development), Virasat (heritage), Vishwas (trust), Vignan (knowledge), which lead us to becoming a vishwaguru so that India shows the world the way.
• Devayatnam, the house of god is not only a place to worship and perform rituals but also a centre for education, fine arts, music, science & technology, rituals & traditions or activities shaping the society.

How Has the Government Promoted Temple in Recent Times?

• The Union Government has proposed Hoysala temples of Belur and Somnathpur to the UNESCO World Heritage List.
• A grand temple of Lord Ram that is being built in Ayodhya.
• After close to 250 years, the spiritual capital of India – Kashi, has been rejuvenated and has more accessibility with amenities and better infrastructure for devotees.
• The state of Telangana has built 2 large stone carved temples worth Rs. 1,000 crores.
• The focus is to make existing spiritual places accessible to devotees through better infrastructure and world class amenities.
  • PRASHAD and SWADESH DARSHAN Scheme to facilitate tourism infrastructure and provide better accessibility and experience at spiritual places with a budget of approximately Rs. 7,000 crores has been conceived.

Significance of Indian Temples

• Temples have been centres of Indian art, knowledge, culture, spirituality, innovation and education.
• There have been three major styles of setting up temples in India known as Nagara, Dravidian and Vesara.
  • Dashavatar temple in Devgarh is of Nagara style which is prevalent between the Himalayas and the Vindhya mountains.
  • The Kailasanathar temple in Kanchi is a Dravidian style temple, developed on the land of Krishna and Kaveri River.
  • Papanatha temple is one of the examples of Vesara style. Vesara is a hybrid form Nagara and Dravidian style.
• A Hindu temple is a combination of art and science which includes Shilpa sastra, vasthu sastra, geometry and symmetry.
• The temples promote unity, integrity, and civilization.
  • It was during the freedom struggle that all the freedom struggles were resolved before temple fire to fight for freedom of the country.

The architectural principles of temples in India are described in Shilpa Shastra – 

• Nagara style: The style of temple architecture that became popular in northern India is known as Nagara. Nagara style was developed regionally each region manifesting its own particular qualities.
• Dravida Style: Dravida style of temple architecture became popular in South India. Dravida style of temples was developed dynastically, however the major features of these temples remained common across the dynasties.
• Vesara Style: In the mid-seventh century, a distinct style of temple architecture grew in Karnataka region under the patronage of Chalukya rulers. The temples in this region follow a hybridised style which combines the features of both Nagara and Dravida styles.

Similarities and differences of three styles:

Source: PIB

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