With reference to the cultural history of India, the term 'Panchay...
A Hindu temple is a Panchayatana one when the main shrine is surrounded by four subsidiary shrines. Generally, the hindu temple are built along a west-east axis. So the four subsidiary shrines are at the north-east, south-east, south-west, north-west.
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With reference to the cultural history of India, the term 'Panchay...
The term Panchayatan refers to a style of temple construction in the cultural history of India. It is a Sanskrit word that means "five-fold system." The Panchayatan style of temple construction involves the placement of five main shrines dedicated to different deities around a central shrine.
The five main shrines are dedicated to Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu, Goddess Durga, Lord Surya, and Lord Ganesha. These deities are believed to represent the five elements of nature - earth, water, fire, air, and ether. The central shrine is usually reserved for the main deity of the temple.
The Panchayatan style of temple construction was popular in ancient India, especially during the Gupta period (4th to 6th century CE). It was a way to accommodate different sects of Hinduism and their respective deities in one temple complex. The Panchayatan temples were built in different parts of India, including Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Odisha.
The Panchayatan temples are characterized by their square-shaped sanctum sanctorum (garbhagriha) and the presence of four smaller shrines at the corners of the temple complex. The temple complex is also surrounded by a wall with a gateway (gopuram) on each side.
In conclusion, the term Panchayatan refers to a style of temple construction in the cultural history of India. It involves the placement of five main shrines dedicated to different deities around a central shrine. The Panchayatan style of temple construction was popular in ancient India, especially during the Gupta period, and is characterized by its square-shaped sanctum sanctorum and the presence of four smaller shrines at the corners of the temple complex.
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