Every year in India, the National Science Day is celebrated on February 28 to mark the discovery of the Raman effect by Indian physicist Sir Chandrashekhara Venkata Raman on February 28, 1928. The day is celebrated to discuss all the issues and implement new technologies for the development in the field of science and to encourage the people as well as popularize science and technology. The theme of National Science Day 2019 is Science for the People and the People for Science.
India has contributed a lot in the field of science. Among them is the temple architecture of India which has given the country a truly magnificent form of architecture. The Indian temple architecture is a highly developed science. Every ancient temple or building tells the history of India’s rich heritage, scientific and architectural marvel and extreme devotion. The Hindu temples are still functional and home to numerous intangible living traditions, rituals, festivals and other observances believed to be centuries old.
The design and development of Ekamra Kshetra, Bhubaneswar as a Hindu sacred city based upon the principles of mandala are still evident. The temples of Ekamarakshetra have been built as per Silpa Sastras. The Konark Sun Temple, Odisha is also an outstanding proof of all this. The Sun God Surya was worshipped at the centre of the Mandala.
The placement of the main temple and the Sun God had been aligned in such a way that the first ray of the sun from the coast would cross the Nata Mandir (Dancing Hall) and would fall and reflect from the diamond placed at the crown of the Sun God. Besides, the most popular theory associated with Konark temple is its magnets and the floating idol Surya in the main temple.
According to legend, the statue of the Sun God inside the temple was built of a material with iron content and was said to be floating in air, without any physical support, due to the unique arrangements of the top magnet, the bottom magnet and the reinforced magnets around the temple walls. The main attraction of the temple is its twelve pairs of wheels located at the base of the temple. These wheels are not ordinary wheels. The spokes of the wheels create a sundial. One can calculate the precise time of the day by just looking at the shadow cast by these spokes of the wheel.
Temples are the places that contain pure vibrations of magnetic and electric fields with positive energy. The main idol is placed in the center of the temple, known as Garbhagriha. There are some copper plates, inscribed with Vedic scripts, buried beneath the main idol.
The copper plate absorbs earth’s magnetic waves and radiates it to the surroundings. Thus a person regularly visiting a temple and walking around the main idol receives the beamed magnetic waves and his body absorbs it. Scientifically, it is the positive energy that we all require to have a healthy life. In olden days, temples were built in such a way that the floor at the center of the temple were good conductors of these positive vibrations allowing them to pass through our feet to the body. Hence it is necessary to walk bare footed while entering the temple.
After offering prayers, it is customary to go around the idol at least thrice. This practice is known as parikrama or pradakshina. The idol, which is charged with the positive energy, radiates the same to anything that comes in its vicinity. Therefore when a person performs a parikrama around the idol, he charged up with all the positive energies radiating from the idol. It cures many illnesses and rejuvenates the mind. Besides, the temple bell is not just ordinary metal but a scientific bell. It is made of various metals including cadmium, copper, nickel, chromium and manganese. In which ratio each metal is mixed, is the most important thing and the real science behind a bell. Every bell is created to produce such a distinctive sound that it synchronizes the left and right brain of a person. When the person rings the bell, then the high sound produced from it lasts for at least seven consecutive seconds, touching the seven chakras of the human body.
The construction of temple is an art and also a science. The science of temples built on the basis of thousands of years of research and development. The knowledge and skills of the construction techniques were passed from generation to generation among the temple architects. Although, the elements of Indian temples may differ across regions, the real motive was derived from a single philosophy of design. All small and large Hindu temples built since historic times have been following the same philosophy. The Shipshastra along with other general manuals on Hindu architecture are still referred for the construction of the sacred Hindu temples.
By understanding the science of Indian temples, we can experience the intelligence, power and visions about the structures. A look into the ancient past of India and its temples reveals the fundamental science and purpose behind temple building. Looking at these structures, it is apparent that the temples were built to a certain pattern, certain understanding and purpose, catering to the needs of the individual and the society. This shows how science is involved in our everyday life in Hindu Culture. There is a lot of science and technology involved in temple construction which not only affects on our life style but also proves how superior our ancestors are in terms of scientific knowledge.
(Dr Praharaj teaches at Department of Architecture, College of Engineering and Technology, Bhubaneswar)
