Garbhagriha Of Mandir Is Origin Of Powerful Spirit
Garbhagriha of a mandir is the most sacred place. It greatly holds the historical as well as architectural significance in Hinduism.
Theory of garbhagriha:
Garbhagriha is the power center. Precisely, it’s the central power in its sacred meaning. It draws the cosmic energy that transcends Earth from the universe. The main idol or deity of the temple resides in the garbhagriha to bless devotees with universalist powers. Additionally, the doctrine of Hinduism believes in non-dualism. Therefore, the powerful blessing helps to connect an individual with the supreme power. Ultimately, the holy union of man and almighty manifests as a single entity.
Additionally, the chief deity established with a ritualistic ceremony grows with the cosmic power of the universe. Over time the deity grows in the chamber and radiates more powerful blessings for devotees, as it is believed. The spiritual theory complies with the metaphysics of the universal powers and temple structure.
Garbhagriha and Mount Meru:
Hinduism, over time, typically evolved out of profound knowledge acquired by the ancestors. Scholars in the form of rishis or saints revered Mount Meru as much as to assume it to be the center of the whole existence. Further, the mount, which measures about a little less than eleven lakh km high takes us to heaven.
The architectural and spiritual concepts of the garbhagriha of a temple directly relate to Mount Meru. So, Hinduism states that a devotee who takes the pious path starts the journey from garbhagriha.
Continuous idolatry uplifts a devotee to heaven after his life. In essence, the garbhagriha construction is the doctrine of a passage to reach the ultimate goal.
Location of garbhagriha in mandir:
The tallest spire of the temple campus marks the place for the garbhagriha. Further, it is visible from a reasonable distance for its elaborated height. One can easily perceive the place of the garbhagriha as it is directly under the tallest spire or shikhara.
Devotees after climbing a few steps land on the raised platform. Then, there is a mandapa or two for the people’s gathering after crossing a threshold. However, the mandapas can be more depending on the size and architectural design of the mandir.
There are, of course, some exceptions. Otherwise, the devotee faces the east while worshipping. This is about absorbing solar energy to enhance cosmic grades for the people.
Architectural significance:
The square-sized garbhagriha of a mandir has been prevalent since ancient times. However, prolonged size plans were introduced later to accommodate more idols in a row. Garbhagriha relates its significance to the Gupta dynasty period, which introduced a separate room for worshipping deities.
This sacred place has just one entry to exit from the same. Besides, there are no other openings in the walls. At the most, a small ventilator serves limited passage of light.
The garbhagriha walls have no openings for perfect logic. The darkness of the chamber although helps people concentrate without wandering their minds.
Unlike the mandapas, garbhagriha has no pillars inside. Instead, it is fully an open space where the deity is placed in the center. Next, the ceiling is not too high, making it look like a divine box. There, of course, may or may not be the circumambulate path for devotees. This again, may or may not be open to the sky.
The adjoining mandapas and the path leading to the garbhagriha hold exquisite decoration. Carvings of Hindu symbols and floral patterns create excellent motifs all along.
Conclusion:
The concept of the womb chamber is prevalent in other religions as well. Jains too build garbhagriha in Jain temples. So do the Buddhists. Thus, it puts a common endorsement of the womb chamber as a supreme divine place.
Moreover, Earth is the mother of all, and temple construction is the tangible extension of a human figure. Hence, the garbhagriha is the center of the temple structure on the highest spiritual grounds.
Above all, the idol and shikhara remain on the same plane, which connects straight to the mythical Mount Meru.