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'Garbhagriha' or 'Garbagriham' is a Sanskrit word meaning the interior of the sanctum sanctorum, the inner most sanctum of a Hindu temple where resides an image of the primary deity. Literally the word means "womb chamber" from Sanskrit word ''garbha'' for womb. Only priests are allowed to enter.^{[1] [2] [3]}

Contents

Hindu

Kerala

Notes

External links

Hindu

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.^[4]
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.^[5]

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.

Notes

1. Garbhagriha
2. Architecture of the Indian Subcontinent - Glossary
3. Templenet - Glossary
4. Temple Architecture
5. Introduction to Indian Architecture, , Binda, Thapar, Periplus Editions, 2004, ISBN 0794600115

External links

★ Temple architecture

★ Parts of a North Indian Temple