Ratha (architecture)

In Hindu temple architecture, ratha is a facet or vertical offset projection on the plan of the sanctum and shikhara above, or other structure.[1][2] The term has the same meaning when applied to the forms of the bases of statues.

Plans of the main types of buildings with ratha
Drawing of a pancharatha (5 ratha) plan

Overview

Ratha is generally carried up from the bottom of the temple to the superstructure.[3][4] The corners of each ratha touch notional circles on the plan of the temple, centred on the murti image in the sanctum. The sides are oriented along the main horizontal axis of the temple (normally running east–west) or at right angles to it, generating (except around the entrance to the sanctum) a multi-faceted plan that harmonizes the square and the circle, becoming more circular in overall shape as the number of rathas increases.

The rathas (facets) are decorated with geometric figures or statues, such as statues of a gatekeeper watching outside or a niche with a statue of a deity. Sometimes, the facet of the ratha is hollowed to the interior; these are rathas with recesses. If there is only one facet, this is a temple with three rathas (triratha): the wall and the facet on the left and on the right.

If there are a main facet and a secondary one, the temple has five rathas (pancharatha). There are also temples with seven rathas (saptaratha)[5][6] and nine rathas (navaratha).

Meaning

In Sanskrit, the word "ratha" means "cart" or "chariot", but the link with this meaning is not clear. A ratha, meaning cart, is also the temple chariot used for processing the murti at festivals, and a "ratha temple" is one designed to resemble a cart, with wheels on the sides, and often horses.[7] The most famous example is the Sun Temple, Konarak.[8]

Examples of triratha temples
Triratha temples
  • Parasurameswar Temple

Examples of pancharatha temples
Pancharatha temples
  • Isanesvara Siva Temple in Bhubaneswar
  • Jagannath Temple in Baripada
  • Lingaraja Temple in Bhubaneswar
Main article: Pancharatha

Examples of saptaratha temples
Saptratha temples
  • Chaturbhuja Temple
  • Shikhara of Swayambunath

Examples of navaratha temples
Navaratha temples
  • Vamana Temple
  • Adinath Temple

Notes
  1. Harris, Cyril M. (2013). Illustrated Dictionary of Historic Architecture. Courier Corporation. ISBN 9780486132112. Retrieved 3 June 2019.
  2. Eagle, Andrew; Karmaker, Kongkon (8 July 2017). "Dinajpur temple sheds new light on distant past". The Daily Star. Retrieved 3 June 2019.
  3. Harle, 153
  4. "Orissa Tourism - Temple Architecture of Orissa, Temples of Orissa, Orissa Temples, Architecture of Temples of Orissa, Oriya Culture, Temple Tours of Orissa, Orissa Tourism - tourism.oriyaonline.com". oriyaonline.com.
  5. "Architecture". banglapedia.org.
  6. "Saptaratha". spiritualvedicnames.com.
  7. Hardy, Adam (1995). Indian Temple Architecture: Form and Transformation : the Karṇāṭa Drāviḍa Tradition, 7th to 13th Centuries. Abhinav Publications. p. 59. ISBN 9788170173120. Retrieved 3 June 2019.
  8. Harle, 252

References
  • Harle, J.C., The Art and Architecture of the Indian Subcontinent, 2nd edn. 1994, Yale University Press Pelican History of Art, ISBN 0300062176
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