The Hindu Temple: An Introduction to Its Meaning and Forms
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Book Overview
For more than 1500 years, from the Indian subcontinent to the islands of the Indonesian archipelago, the temple has embodied and symbolized the Hindu worldview at its deepest level and inspired the greatest architectural and artistic achievements in Hindu Asia. In The Hindu Temple, considered the standard introduction to the subject, George Michell explains the cultural, religious, and architectural significance of the temple. He illustrates his points with a profusion of photographs, building plans, and drawings of architectural details, making the book a useful guide for travelers to Asia as well as an illuminating text for students of architecture, religion, and Asian civilizations. Michell's discussion of the meaning and forms of the temple in Hindu society encompasses the awe-inspiring rock-cut temples at Ellora and Elephanta, the soaring superstructures and extraordinary sexual exhibitionism of the sculptures at Khajuraho, and the colossal mortuary temple of Angkor Vat, as well as the tiny iconic shrines that many Hindus wear around their necks and the simple shrines found under trees or near ponds.
Format:Paperback
Language:English
ISBN:0226532305
ISBN13:9780226532301
Release Date:September 1988
Publisher:University of Chicago Press
Length:192 Pages
Weight:0.69 lbs.
Dimensions:0.6" x 6.1" x 9.0"
Customer Reviews
2 ratings
The classic text on the subject
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 19 years ago
Michell is an extremely careful and conscientious chronicler of this difficult, dense subject. He writes unusually well - absolutely clear English - and makes his way through a wide array of topics. Invaluable to the student of the subject.
Great for the philosophy student
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 23 years ago
This book is great for those who want an in depth look at Hindu philosophy and the place of temples within it. It's a bit scanty on cultural practices and rituals - that is not the book's aim. It does a wonderful job of explaining things so that a Westerner (like me) can understand. It is, however, a very heavy book. It is certainly not light bed time reading like a National Geographic would be. :)
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