Why were erotic idols in temples? It gives information about the erotic idols which were installed in the Hindu temples in ancient period.
In ancient times, Shringar Rasa was considered a part of Brahma, due to which erotic idols depicting Shringar Rasa were installed in temples. Such idols were made on the outer walls of the sanctum sanctorum and the mandap.
In temples, various forms of the main deity are depicted on the outer walls of the sanctum sanctorum and the door branches of the sanctum sanctorum i.e. the door frame. There are idols of goddesses like Ganga and Yamuna near the sanctum sanctorum.
Yakshas along with the nine auspicious planets i.e. Navgrahas are placed at the entrance to protect the doors. The lords of the eight directions i.e. Ashtadigpals are placed on the outer walls of the sanctum sanctorum and the temple.
There are a total of five temples, one small and the other big, in the temples of the Panchayatan style. These temples are built on a square platform in which the main temple is in the middle and four small temples are at the four corners i.e. in the four directions. These temples have idols of the incarnations or family members of the main deity.
Idols in temples are in image and symbolic form. Most of the idols of Lord Shiva are symbolic in the form of Linga while most of the idols of Lord Vishnu are in the form of images. Idols of goddesses are found in both forms.
Most of the idols are made by humans from stone or metal but in many places they are natural too which are called Swayambhu. Swayambhu idols are mostly of Shiva and goddesses.
Generally, broken idols are not used while doing idol worship in temples or homes. Temples are built for darshan and worship of God, hence the time of darshan and worship is also fixed.
The idol of the temple is considered to be the idol of God i.e. it is considered to be the abode of God, hence the time of his awakening, sleeping and eating etc. is also fixed.
See also Main parts of Nagar style temples
Author
Ramesh Sharma {M Pharm, MSc (Computer Science), PGDCA, MA (History), CHMS}
Disclaimer
The information given in this article has been taken from various online and offline sources, whose accuracy and reliability is not guaranteed. Readers should take this information for educational purpose only. Apart from this, the responsibility for any use of it will be on the user himself.
Tags:
Short-Blog