Temple Concepts and Physical Form -- Dr Ashalatha Thampuran |

Описание: Discover the profound science behind Kerala's unique temple architecture with Dr. Ashalatha Thampuran, an expert in traditional Vastu Shastra principles. This comprehensive talk reveals how ancient Indian knowledge systems create sacred spaces that harmonize with cosmic principles.

🏛️ What You'll Learn:
Vastu Shastra fundamentals and Vastu Purusha concepts
Kerala temple design vs other Indian temple traditions
Sacred geometry and proportional systems in temple construction
Traditional measurement systems (Angulam, Padam, Danda)
Three-space temple planning (Andarhara, Madhyahara, Bahihara)
Connection between residential and temple architecture

Dr. Thampuran explains how Kerala temples, though smaller in scale, follow strict Vastu principles while adapting to local climate and materials. Learn about the unique features like camouflaged vegetation, human-scale proportions, and the philosophical foundations that make these sacred spaces truly special.

Temple construction follows the philosophical principles of Vastushastra especially on the design of the inner, middle and outer spaces. Though based on a universal theme, regional, climatic, material, social and political influences are apparent in the visual and architectural characteristics of temple design. The talk, is about the concepts of Vastushastra and Indian Philosophy and how the two are related to the tenets of building construction as well as how it is translated into the physical form of Temple. The physical structure takes into consideration of the regional variations based on climate and the socio cultural aspects and Kerala temples are an example for this.


About the Speaker:
Dr. Ashalatha Thampuran is a renowned educationist and former Principal of College of Engineering, Trivandrum. Her vision in the field of education is the standard set for the college to grow as a center of excellence.

Right from the beginning of her professional education, first at University of Kerala in Bachelors of Architecture and further at University of Roorkee in Master of Architecture, she has set high standards by securing the first rank in both.Later she did her training in Development Planning from London University. She took her doctorate from University of Kerala in Traditional Architecture. She started her academic career as lecturer in Department of Architecture, College of Engineering, Trivandrum. Here she became an assistant professor and later the Principal. In a career spanning several decades, she has been actively associated with several prestigious architectural projects. She has also done extensive research in traditional architecture and has presented several papers at national and international forum.

Timestamped Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Temple Architecture & Vastu Shastra
01:17 Regional Texts: Tantra Samuchaya in Kerala
02:05 Three Spaces of Temple Complex
03:09 Kerala Temples: Unique Characteristics
04:37 Temple Town Planning: Tripunithra Example
05:07 Philosophical Concepts: Universe & Microcosm
06:22 Vastu Purusha: The Cosmic Being
07:16 From Sphere to Tetrahedron: Stable Forms
08:24 Vastu Purusha Mandala Concept
09:48 Pada System: Sectoral Divisions
11:12 Ayadi Shadvarga: Six Design Parameters
13:12 Sutra Veda: Non-coinciding Central Lines
14:59 Traditional Measurement Systems
16:49 Proportional Systems in Temple Design
18:30 Five Enclosures (Pragarams) of Temples
20:17 Garbhagraha: The Sacred Core
21:38 Planning the Sanctum Sanctorum
25:16 Development of Kerala Temple Architecture
26:27 Residential Complex Integration
29:46 Transition: From Home to Public Temples
32:23 Architectural Character Comparison
35:29 Gopuram Types: Framed vs Load-bearing
37:44 Q&A Session: Sacrificial Stones & Practices
38:52 Meaning of Vimana
43:40 Central point and modern housing complexes
49:20 Temples in North India and Vastushastra
51:59 Shrines and altars inside homes
54:26 Family temples of paradevatas and Vatushastra
1:00:00 restoration of temples with acrylic paints

Further Reading:
Books authored by the speaker:
o Traditional Architectural forms of Malabar Coast-2002
o A Monograph of Heritage Buildings, published by National Academy of Engineering Heritage.

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