Material: 1 definition

Introduction:

Material means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.

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In Hinduism

Vastushastra (architecture)

Source: Shodhganga: Elements of Art and Architecture in the Trtiyakhanda of the Visnudharmottarapurana (vastu)

Materials for the Construction of Temple, such as wood or bricks, were commonly carefully gathered and processed, according to the Viṣṇudharmottarapurāṇa, an ancient Sanskrit text which (being encyclopedic in nature) deals with a variety of cultural topics such as arts, architecture, music, grammar and astronomy.—Finding of proper types of materials is one of the important aspects for any construction. The procedure of the selection of materials for a temple is elaborately discussed under the 89th, 90th, 91st and 92nd chapters of the Tṛtīyakhaṇḍa of the Viṣṇudharmottarapurāṇa.

Wood as a material: In the Viṣṇudharmottarapurāṇa, the architect is suggested to go to the forest to collect appropriate wood for temples in an auspicious day after taking advice from an astrologer. [...]

Stone as a material: The quality of stones is very important in the construction of temple. Indian scriptures state that to procure the stones, the astrologer and the architect should go to mountain and examine the stones. [...]

Brick as a material: Brick (iṣṭakā) is one of the most important materials in the construction of a temple as it still bears the similar importance even in the modern era. It is a building material which is used to make walls. [...]

Cement as a material: In ancient time there was a special kind of hard cement, which was known as vajralepa which was used in construction as well as for joining the bricks. [...]

Vastushastra book cover
context information

Vastushastra (वास्तुशास्त्र, vāstuśāstra) refers to the ancient Indian science (shastra) of architecture (vastu), dealing with topics such architecture, sculpture, town-building, fort building and various other constructions. Vastu also deals with the philosophy of the architectural relation with the cosmic universe.

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