|
|
|
| Free E-magazine |
| Subscribe to our Free E-Magazine on Sculpture. |
| Learn More |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Home > Materials Of Sculpture > Wooden Sculptures > Wooden Temple Sculptures
| |
| | Wooden Temple Sculptures
| |
| |
Wood carving is the process in which wood is ornamented using designs with the help of means of sharp cutting tools held in the hand. And the art of wood carving is widely used in the temple architecture of India. In fact, it can be said as wood carving is as old as temple architecture. Various temples employing wooden art are described below:
In south, use of wood for making pillars or beams of the temple is found as a common phenomenon. Vadakkumnathan temple from the South is a prominent Shiva temple, at Thrissur in Kerala.  The temple shrine is the most ancient, which also shows the intricate designs of wood carving and art pieces that are of immense historical value. The wooden designs carved in a typical way to meat the style of south India. Similarly Nasiyan temple of Jains from north India(Rajasthan) employed wooden architecture.The Jain temple was built in the late 19th century. The wooden gilt in the double storeyed hall primarily depicts scenes from the Jain mythology. The beauty of this temple is widely acclaimed.
An example of Buddhist art, the Karle cave also contains the wooden structure. Some of the architecture is carved with the help of wood.  The chhatri built at the top of the Karle stupa is made of wood. The Archaeological Survey of India claims that it is the original chhatri hence can be said as at least 2000 years old. The pillars with magnificent carvings attract the attention of people.The arched rafters of stupas function as supporting means of the cave ceiling, which also represents the wooden art .
Another temple known as Sukh Mandir is guarded by doors made from sandalwood inlaid with ivory. It has a look of palace, throughout it is finely carved with lattice-windows exquisitely sculptured doorways, and finely sculptured pillars. Even today the majestic look of the wooden structure grabs the attention.
In the Kashmir & Himachal Pradesh, unlike in Garhwal, Kinnaur and the Kullu Valley, where the Pandavas being the heroes of the epic Mahabharata are considered the righteous ones and are worshiped. But in the Tons Valley people are from the side of the Kauravas, perhaps the wrong doers, and worship them as gods.
Here a temple of Karna, the elder among the Pandavas, is carved in the village of Deora. It is a basically rectangular wooden structure with roofs that is lined with slates. The wooden umbrella on the roof is topped with a brass finial attracts the attention of everybody. At the front side, the wood beams and columns are decorated with carvings of exquisite charm while doors of the temple are decorated with relief metal plates, which depict birds, animals, reptiles and scenes from the Ramayana.
In the surrounding area, at the right of the temple there are total stand six miniature temples, which represent Karna and the five Pandavas. There is also a Shiva lingam, a sculpture of Parvati and one of Nandi bull in the compound. The wooden sculptures of this place are marked with its sharp carving.
 One more and famous Doongri temple from Manali of the Kulu valley is dedicated to Hirimba also constructed out of wood. It is a striking example of wooden sculptures.
Doongri Temple is also known, as Hadimba Temple.This is a four-tiered pagoda-like wooden temple stands in a clearing amid tall and stately Deodar trees and has beautiful carvings on its ornamental door.
The wood carving is also seen at Somnath. The temple of Somnath is famous for its huge artistic woodwork on the doors of temple. It is situated at the northwest coast of India and also famous for the beautiful wooden carvings on the doors. The doors of this temple were marked for their magnificence and were highly valued as sacred relics.
The temple is one of the twelve `Jyotirlingas of Shiva`. The story of temple goes like - the  temple appeared first in gold, constructed by the moon-god, next in silver by Ravana and in third time it appeared in wood at the command of Krishna. The temple in today`s appearance was finally built in stone, by Bhimdeva, the strongest of the five Pandava brothers from epic Mahabharata.
But from the ancient period, only the wooden doors of the temple had remained in good condition. In carving the most intricate designs in wood were used to achieve the beautiful effect. In wooden carving, if architectural details are seen, some methods & techniques are found in common with that of the south art.
| |
| |
|
