Temples as Multifaceted Spaces

Temples have been historically studied in stylistic and symbolic ways, often emphasizing their architectural features and spiritual & religious significance. However, this paper argues that temples are not just spaces for people to fulfill their religious beliefs; they are much more than that. They also serve as marketplaces,  places for people to gather, and a hub of community activities.

This paper examines the Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, constructed by the Chola ruler Dharmaverma during the Chola dynasty, in comparison to modern temples like the Ram Mandir. It explores how temples built in earlier periods were more than just structures for fulfilling religious beliefs; they held much greater significance in a person's life. Historical temples, such as Sri Ranganathaswamy, served as central hubs for social and economic activities, with the integration of daily life and religious practice being much more pronounced. In these spaces, the boundaries between the sacred and the secular were fluid and interconnected. In contrast, modern temples like the Ram Mandir, while still retaining their primary function as places of worship, often lack the extensive social infrastructure that characterized older temples. This paper argues that to fully appreciate the significance of historical temples, one must look beyond their architectural and religious aspects and understand them as dynamic spaces that were central to the social and economic fabric of their time.

Beyond Religious Significance-

Sri Ranganathaswamy temple is a huge temple constructed on 156 acres of land. The temple when first built was open, it did not have any walls and often used to get looted and robbed by Delhi Sultanate armies in a broad plunder raid on various cities of the Pandyan kingdom in the early 14th century. Hence, the site was fortified and expanded with many more Gopurams. (Mittal 2005, #) The temple contains the structures and inscriptions done not just Chola dynasty but also Pandya, Hoysala, Vijaynagar, Nayak, and Maratha dynasties. These spaces were not just adjuncts to the temple but integral parts of the temple’s function in society. For Sri Ranganathaswamy temple each space whether it be the gopurams, mandapas, or tanks played a vital role for the community.  Each element of the temple complex played a specific role beyond its religious function. For instance, the gopurams, while monumental, were more than just an entrance, they drew people in such as pilgrims and traders making the temple an important junction. The mandapas were not just spaces used for religious gatherings or social events, they also served as resting areas. The water from the tanks was used for religious rituals as well as for agricultural purposes, providing water for daily needs, etc. These parts of the temple helped those who lived around it.

Here, the temple is not just a space for people to pray to God, but also a space for living and carrying out daily activities. The temple grounds are filled with markets where people engage in daily trade and transactions. There are schools where children study and play. Water bodies are used for sacred baths, temple rituals, theppotsavam, irrigation, and other necessities. Large mandapas in gathering halls serve for community gatherings and are also used during festivals. As one enters the space, there is a moment of disorientation as the senses are overwhelmed by the aroma of camphor, incense, turmeric, clarified butter, joss sticks, and basil leaves offered to the deities. In essence, the temple is a multifaceted space that serves religious, educational, economic, and social functions, making it the heart of the community.

Reevaluating spaces-

In contrast, modern temples like Ram Mandir often stand apart from the daily life of the devotees. While they remain important spiritual and religious sites, they don't serve as an all-encompassing community hub as once historical temples did. The shift reflects a broader change in society, where religious activity has become much more compartmentalized. In fact, opposite Sri Ranganathaswamy temple, Ram Mandir was constructed by demolishing the houses of some individuals and those people were left in the lurch. Also to promote tourism for this temple some people lost their farm lands, to construct roads through which they earned their daily income. The history of harmonious coexistence between the two communities was also disrupted. (Dahiya, n.d., #) Throughout history, temples have been studied as, places that serve grander visual impact or as a place of beauty and purity, etc by various scholars and philosophers.

Author James Fergusson critiques the Sri Ranganathaswamy temple's central enclosure as small and insignificant, stating that it resembles a village temple. He also remarks that the 1000-pillared mandapam is too close, making the space feel cramped and underwhelming despite its scale. Fergusson argues that the temple should be grander and that its design fails to produce the visual and architectural impact that such a large structure could potentially achieve (Fergusson, 1876, #). George Michell also views the temple as a place where people worship God and as a dwelling place for a deity. Michell considers the temple “not merely a place for congregational worship, as in other religious traditions, but rather a house of God” (Michell, n.d., #).

Another example illustrates the temple's architectural aspect "The Dravidian style, developed in the Tamil country of South India, is characterized by its monumental gopurams or gateway towers, which dominate the skyline and serve as a visual marker of the temple’s sacred presence." (Michell 1995, #) Here also the author focuses more on the architectural elements, visual appeal, and the style of the temple. 

Temple as a living space-

To truly understand a temple, we must look beyond its stylistic features and symbolic elements. It is crucial to examine how the temple space functions and its impact on daily life. Temples should be viewed as dynamic spaces that contribute significantly to the well-being of society. Rather than being static monuments, they actively engage with and enhance people's lives. By focusing on how these spaces evolve over time, we can appreciate the role of temples in improving societal conditions. Additionally, the design of a temple is often influenced by its regional context, rather than adhering to a universal style.

In conclusion, comparing the different roles and designs of the historical and modern temples shows us how architecture, community, and spirituality have evolved. Temples such as Sri Ranganathswamy were closely connected to a person beyond spiritual and religious belief. In contrast, modern temples focus mainly on spiritual and religious beliefs. Understanding this shift will help us understand a religious space not as a single entity but as a holistic environment.

References

https://dharmatoday.com/2017/01/02/ancient-indian-town-planning-architectural-paradigms/.

n.d. https://in.pinterest.com/pin/744782857123584372/.

n.d. https://in.pinterest.com/pin/571253533966496820/.

Dahiya, Himanshi. n.d. “'Can't Pray on Empty Stomach': Human Cost of Ayodhya's Mega Facelift Projects.” https://www.thequint.com/news/politics/the-real-cost-of-ayodhya-multi-crore-development-projects-ram-temple-consecration-demolitions.

Fergusson, James. 1876. History of Indian and Eastern Architecture. Edited by James Burgess and R. Phene Spores. London, The United Kingdom: John Murray.

Ismoon. 1910. History of Indian and Eastern architecture.

Michell, George. 1995. Temples of South India. N.p.: Thames & Hudson.

Michell, George. n.d. The Hindu Temple: An Introduction to Its Meaning and Forms. N.p.: University of Chicago Press; New edition.

Mittal, Sushil. 2005. The Hindu World. N.p.: Routelge.