Image Courtesy: Sonam Singh Subhedar
Within the sacred confines of temples, amidst the fragrance of incense and the murmurs of devotees, lie profound secrets waiting to be unearthed. These ancient sanctuaries, steeped in spirituality and adorned with architectural splendour, serve as repositories of scientific marvels that have captivated scholars and worshippers for centuries.
Acoustics, the science of sound, and lightning, the powerful force of nature, both find resonance within the hallowed halls of temples. Through a blend of ancient wisdom and astute engineering, these sacred spaces are transformed into theatres of sensory wonder, where the celestial harmonies of light and sound converge to elevate the spiritual experience of worshippers.
The science of acoustics reveals itself in the intricate architectural design of temples, where every column, chamber, and sculptural element is meticulously crafted to manipulate sound waves with precision. From the whispering galleries of ancient temples to the resonant chambers of majestic sanctuaries, these architectural marvels amplify chants and prayers, creating an immersive auditory experience that transcends the mundane and transports worshippers into a realm of divine resonance. Simultaneously, the phenomenon of lightning adds an element of awe and reverence to the temple landscape, as towering spires and ornate gopurams reach skyward to commune with the heavens.
TEMPLE ACOUSTICS: AN EVOLUTION OF CENTURIES
The acoustics of Hindu temples are not merely accidental, but the result of deliberate architectural design and construction techniques refined over centuries. One of the key elements is the strategic placement of structural elements such as columns, chambers, and sculptural reliefs which serve to manipulate sound waves, enhancing resonance, amplification, and clarity within the temple space. For example, the layout of the temple corridors and halls is often designed to create natural echo chambers, where sound waves bounce off the walls and ceilings, creating a prolonged reverberation.
Further, the sculptural adornments adorning the temple walls play a crucial role in shaping acoustics. Intricately carved reliefs act as acoustic diffusers, scattering sound waves and reducing distortion, while also adding to the visual splendour of the temple environment.
The most crucial area within a Hindu temple is the Garbha Griha, also known as the sanctum sanctorum. This chamber’s dimensions are meticulously determined based on the size of the deity it houses. It features only a door, devoid of windows, and only the designated priest is permitted entry for worship and rituals involving chants and prayers. During worship, the priest often accompanies the chants with the ringing of a hand bell. Typically constructed with stone walls, the Garbha Griha possesses intriguing acoustic properties, it exhibits high reflectivity and a prolonged reverberation time. Moreover, this chamber usually connects to another area through its entrance, known as the Ardha Mantapa. Like its counterpart, the Ardha Mantapa boasts reflective surfaces and a significant reverberation time. The Ardha-Mantapa serves as a vital space where multiple priests chant in unison, accompanied by the sounds of instruments like conch shells, bells, and gongs. Typically, the Ardha Mantapa leads into the Maha Mantapa or main hall, where a large congregation of devotees gathers to participate in worship ceremonies.
The reverberant qualities of temple spaces create an immersive atmosphere that envelops worshippers in sound, fostering a sense of presence and connection to the divine. As chants, prayers, and hymns resonate within the temple chambers, devotees feel transported into a sacred realm where they can commune with the divine presence. The reflective and reverberant qualities of temple acoustics create an environment conducive to meditation and contemplation.
BELL AND CONCH: HEIGHTENING THE SENSES
In Hindu philosophy, sound holds a fundamental role in creation, with the divine syllable ‘Om’ embodying the essence of the universe. A finely crafted bell is a crucial element in most Hindu rituals and prayers, serving as an integral part of worship ceremonies. Interestingly, a bell often produces prolonged strains of the sacred sound ‘Om’. The sound emitted by a well-crafted bell is characterised by its uninterrupted, resonant, and deep quality. Bells utilized in temples are commonly fashioned from a combination of five metal alloys known as panchaloha, including gold, silver, copper, iron, and lead. The proportion in which each metal is mixed to create a temple bell is the science behind it. Each of these metals is mixed in such a way that when the bell is rung, it produces a distinct sound that creates unity of your left and right brain. As a result, the bell emits a clear and enduring sound that resonates for approximately seven seconds. This sound reverberates through the body, reaching the seven energy centers, or chakras, promoting a sense of alignment and balance. Upon hearing the bell, the mind briefly enters a state of trance, characterized by heightened receptivity and awareness.
These bells come in two primary forms, hanging bells and hand bells. Notably, studies have shown that the fundamental and second higher tones of hanging bells align with the spectra of hand bells. However, the measured sound pressure level of handbells is higher than that of hanging bells. This difference can be attributed to the pendulum striking at two points in a very brief time span, compared to hanging bells.
The conch shell, scientifically known as Turbinella Pyrum or Indian Conch (Shankh), serves as a musical wind instrument crafted from the large shell of certain sea snails. In Hindu tradition, it holds profound significance, symbolising qualities like brilliance, purity, and auspicious beginnings. Often utilized in temple rituals, the conch shell’s resonant tones mark the commencement and conclusion of worship ceremonies, as well as the arrival of revered deities. It functions both as a musical device and a vessel for sacred water, believed to possess the power to dispel malevolent spirits. Notably, its distinctive sound carries a loud and penetrating quality, easily recognizable to listeners.
To enable the conch shell’s use as an instrument, the pointed tip at its closed end is typically removed, opening up the cavity. Players produce sound by blowing into this opening while vibrating their lips. When the frequency of these lip vibrations aligns with the resonance frequency of the shell’s cavity, a distinct tone emerges. Skilled musicians can manipulate the pitch by adjusting lip tension and blowing intensity, akin to techniques employed with brass wind instruments.
Ancient Indian temple architecture skilfully incorporates acoustic principles to enrich the auditory aspect of rituals and ceremonies. Here are a few instances showcasing the remarkable acoustics found in ancient Indian temples:
Brihadeeswarar Temple, Thanjavur: The temple boasts remarkable echo effects, allowing even the faintest sounds to travel clearly from one end to the other without distortion.
Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai: The musical pillars produce distinct musical notes when struck, resembling various instruments like drums, tabla, and flute.
Ramanathaswamy Temple, Rameswaram: The shrine resonates sound waves with exceptional clarity, enhancing the auditory experience during rituals and ceremonies.
Image Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons
Chennakesava Temple, Belur: The temple’s hall features pillars that emit distinct musical tones when struck, adding to the temple’s acoustic allure.
Image Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons
Jagannath Temple, Puri: This temple possesses unique acoustic properties. When someone whispers into one corner, the sound is transmitted and echoed throughout the entire structure.
SIGNIFICANCE OF OPTICAL ELEMENTS
Within Hindu temples, lightning carries diverse symbolic meanings that are subject to contextual and interpretive nuances within Hinduism. Frequently, it is perceived as a tangible representation of divine potency or vitality. In Hindu iconography, deities are commonly depicted wielding symbols of authority, which are closely linked to the concept of lightning. The luminosity and vigour inherent in lightning are sometimes associated with processes of purification and sanctification. Nevertheless, the interpretation of lightning’s significance in Hindu temples can vary significantly based on cultural, religious, and individual perspectives.
The Garbha Griha is often deliberately enveloped in profound darkness. As worshippers advance towards this central sanctuary, they embark on a ceremonial progression through gradually dimming spaces within the temple. This journey, both spiritually and physiologically significant, allows pilgrims to acclimate themselves to the darkness, fostering a mindset conducive to worship and liberating them from worldly diversions.
Techniques such as casting mysterious shadows by reflecting light off walls, allowing subdued light to filter through openings, and utilizing light as a focal point were among the methods employed to harness natural light’s symbolic significance as a conduit to the divine. Consequently, natural light emerged as a pivotal element of religious symbolism in sacred architecture.
Oil lamps hold a profound significance beyond mere illumination. Within the diya lies a deeper symbolism, the oil represents the impurities that dwell within the human mind, such as greed, jealousy, hatred, and lust that individuals often harbour. Conversely, the cotton wick symbolizes the atma, the self, or the soul. As the oil is consumed by the flame, it generates light, signifying the need to dispel selfish and materialistic thoughts. This act of lighting the diya serves as a metaphorical journey towards liberation from all forms of sorrow, paving the way for enlightenment and establishing a connection with the Supreme Being.
Here are some remarkable examples of optical marvels:
Konark Sun Temple: The first rays of the Sun fall on the temple’s main entrance. Its iconic wheel, the most popular image of the temple, also works as a sundial.
Brihadeeswarar Temple: Notably, the temple’s towering vimana boasts a design feature ensuring that it never casts a shadow at noon, regardless of the time of year.
Arasavalli Temple: At Arasavalli, close to Srikakulam, in Andhra Pradesh, the sun’s rays fall at the feet of the deity on certain days. The early morning sun falls on the feet of the deity on summer solstice and winter solstice even when the five entrance gates are closed.
Image Courtesy: Quora
Modhera Temple: The temple too is known for its design that allows the rays of the Sun to fall at a particular place on certain days.
Gavi Gangadhareshwara Temple: Every year on the Makara Sankranti day, when the Sun enters Capricorn, rays of the sun fall on the Shivalinga inside the cave.
Vedanarayanaswamy Temple: The rays of the sun fall on different parts of the deity on different days every year. On the first day the rays fall on the feet, on the chest the next day and on the forehead on the third day.
Ram Janmbhoomi Mandir, Ayodhya: On Ramnavmi, devotees witnessed the Surya Tilak ceremony, the moment when the Sun’s rays directly touch the forehead of the deity. This was made possible by the interplay of optics and mechanics. The Sun’s rays were carefully directed to illuminate the forehead of the deity, serving as a profound symbol of reverence and devotion.
Image Courtesy: Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust
Thus, the intricate interplay of acoustics and optics within Hindu temples represents a profound fusion of science, spirituality, and architectural mastery. From the strategic placement of pillars and chambers to the careful design of sculptural elements and temple layouts, these ancient structures serve as living testaments to the depth of Hindu cosmology and the quest for spiritual enlightenment. Through the manipulation of sound and light, Hindu temples create immersive environments that engage the senses and elevate the worship experience. The use of sacred symbols, the arrangement of spaces, and the incorporation of natural elements all contribute to a holistic journey towards the divine.
*The writer is Associate Professor, Department of Physics, University of Lucknow.
