Ratha (architecture)

Plans of the main types of buildings with rathas

In Hindu temple architecture, a ratha is a facet or vertical offset projection on the tower (generally a shikhara).^[1]

In Sanskrit, the word "ratha" means "chariot", but the link with this meaning is not clear.

The rathas are decorated with geometric figures or statues, such as statues of a gatekeeper watching outside or a niche with a statue of a deity.

Sometimes, the facet of the ratha is hollowed to the interior; these are rathas with recesses.

If there is only one facet, this is a temple with three rathas (triratha): the wall and the facet on the left and on the right.

If there are a main facet and a secondary one, the temple has five rathas (pancharatha). There are also temples with seven rathas (saptaratha).^[2][3] and nine rathas (navaratha).

Examples of triratha temples

• Parasurameswar Temple in Bhubaneswar

Triratha temples
Parasurameswar Temple

Examples of pancharatha temples

• Lingaraja Temple in Bhubaneswar
• Lakshmana Temple in Khajuraho
• Jagannath Temple in Puri, Orissa

Pancharatha temples
Isanesvara Siva Temple in Bhubaneswar  Jagannath Temple in Baripada  Lingaraja Temple in Bhubaneswar

Examples of saptaratha temples

• Chaturbhuja Temple in Khajuraho
• Shiva Lakhesvara Temple near Bhubaneswar
• Shikhara of the temple of Swayambhunath in Katmandou

Saptatha temples
Chaturbhuja Temple  Shikhara of Swayambunath

Examples of navaratha temples

• Adinath Temple in Khajuraho
• Vamana temple in Khajuraho
• Shiva Purvesvara Temple near Bhubaneswar

Navaratha temples
Vamana Temple  Adinath Temple

See also

• Ratha, for the original meaning of the word

Notes

External links

• for the different meanings triratha, pancharatha, saptaratha, navaratha