Antarala

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In the north Indian architecture of the Nagara style, the Antarala is a small-scale, double-sided closed vestibule, which is sometimes also characterized as a vestibule , directly in front of the cella ( garbhagriha ) of a temple. The term sukhanasi is more common in southern India .

history

Ramesvara Mahadeva Temple in Amrol , 8th century - the antarala clearly protrudes from the square structure of the temple.

The first free-standing temples in India ( Gupta temple ) only had vestibules open at the sides ( mandapas ). In a few temples, however, the entrance area was extended to the outside - initially hardly noticeable (Parvati temple in Nachna , approx. 460), but then more clearly (Shiva temple N ° 2 in Mahua , approx. 670). Both at some temples in Naresar (approx. 700–725) or Bateswar (approx. 750–900) as well as at the Ramesvara Mahadeva Temple in Amrol (approx. 750) and at the Teli-ka Mandir in Gwalior (approx. 770 ), porches ( antaralas ) can be clearly seen, which were preserved in most of the later and clearly more articulated temples, and which formed an architectural connection with both the sanctum ( garbhagriha ) and the vestibule ( mandapa ). Already at the Kalika Mata Temple in Chittorgarh (approx. 700), later at the Chandella temples of Khajuraho (10th / 11th centuries), the development has advanced so far that the area of ​​the temple is almost entirely made up of mandapas seems to exist and the antarala hardly appears in the exterior; even inside the temple it is hardly noticeable as an independent structure.

function

If the anteroom ( antarala ) originally had the function of a heat and rain protection for the visitors of the temple, who were not allowed to enter the actual sanctum, this necessity was better taken over by the laterally open vestibules ( mandapas ) and, above all, more extensive. Nevertheless, the antarala was also retained in the later temple buildings in northern India; Usually two or three steps were integrated into it, which led up to the slightly higher cella ( garbhagriha ) with its cult image or lingam .

literature

  • Michael W. Meister, MA Dhaky, Krishna Deva (Eds.): Encyclopaedia of Indian Temple Architecture. North India - Foundations of North Indian Style. Princeton University Press, Princeton 1988, ISBN 0-691-04053-2
  • Michael W. Meister, MA Dhaky (Ed.): Encyclopaedia of Indian Temple Architecture. North India - Period of Early Maturity. Princeton University Press, Princeton 1991, pp. 12ff ISBN 0-691-04094-X
  • RD Trivedi: Temples of the Pratihara Period in Central India. Archaeological Survey of India, New Delhi 1990

Web links

Commons : Antarala  - collection of images, videos and audio files