BUDDIST ARCHITECTURE Buddhist architecture can be classified into

BUDDIST ARCHITECTURE

• Buddhist architecture can be classified into the following categories • STAMBHA • STUPA • CHAITYA HALL • VIHARAS

STAMBHA • In the context of hindu mythology, it is believed to be a cosmic column • It is believed that the stambha function as a bond which joins the heaven and the earth • A number of hindu scripture , like Atharva veda have reference to stambha

• Stambha (pillars)characterise all the ages and styles of Indian Architecture • Ashoka set up atleast thirty free-standing pillars, ten of his edicts engraved on them • They were set up at places sacred to buddistas well as along the highways from pataliputra to himalayas. • They were free standing pillars. not related to any architectural building

MATERIALS USED • The pillars are made of two types of stones • some are spotted red and white stones from the region of Mathura • hard grey sandstone from the region of Chunnar near Benaras • It appears the stone was transported from chunnar to other region for the errection of pillars

• The deer park where the Buddha preached his first sermon is now called Sarnath • a British amateur archaeologist excavated the site in the nineteenth century. • He found stupas and a pillar originally erected by emperor Ashoka in the third century BC.

• Figures of animals in these columns represent the guardians of four guarters of universe • elephant is the guardians of north • bull the guardians of south • horse is of west • lion is of east

SARNATH PILLAR -CAPITAL

LAURYA NANDANGARH

Rampurva Pillar- Bull Capital

Garuda Pillar Besnagar • • • It is in Besnagar Built by an Ambassdor Heliodoros Dedicated to lord Vasudeva Adorned the image of Garuda at the top The only Hindu Stambha in India

Garuda Pillar

CHAITYA HALL AND VIHARAS

Chaitya hall -Interior

SANCHI STUPA

PLAN &PARTS OF STUPA

Development of stupa