Fw: Saranagathi The VimAnams for Dhivya Dampathis at the 108 Dhivya dEsams : Part I

[Guest guest]

SrI:

 

Dear All :

 

Number of you have written to me about the two

postings on VimAnams of Dhivya Desams .

 

A Member has sent me information on a source book

by a great STa[athi of India , an expert in Vaasthu SaasthrAs

and Temple architcture .

 

I used to have this book but no more .

 

Those who might have a copy of it are requested to highlight

the sections on VimAnams and Gopurams in Oppiliappan and

other lists of their choice .

 

Thanks to our dear Member from Toronto , Canda for her input .

 

V.Sadagopan

 

NUmber of you have written

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Significance Of Vimanam & Gopuram

by Dr.V.Ganapati Sthapati

About the book:

 

The Temple culture and the subtleties of Temple architecture with special

reference to the importance of Vimanam (roof member of inner sanctum) and

Gopuram (the entrance gateway to a temple complex) is discussed in this

book. This is a book that should necessarily be read by one and all who

visit the Temple of India.

 

About the author:

 

Born in the year 1927, at Pillayarpatti, a village near Karaikudi,

Tamilnadu, Dr. V. Ganapati Sthapati comes from an illustrious family of

temple architects and sculptors. His family lineage stretches back over one

hundred decades including the sthapatis who created the great Brihadeeswara

Temple of Tanjore, the treasure house of Indian art and architecture. Son

of Sri Vaidyanatha Sthapati, a renowned sculptor and Sanskrit scholar, he

has made remarkable contributions to the field of art and architecture.

 

As the Doyen of Indian Vaastu Shastra (recently given the title of " Shilpi

Guru " by the President of India) he has been doing research in the field of

Vaastu Science and Technology for the past 50 years. A graduate in

Mathematics and Sanskrit, Sthapati is propagating this supreme science in

India and abroad. He is solely responsible for the resurrection of the

works of the Great Brahmarishi Mayan, who was the progenitor of this Indian

science and technology and the founder of this rich civilization and

culture.

 

As the Principal of the Government College of Architecture and Sculpture

(the only institute of this kind in the world) at Mamallapuram, near

Chennai, for 27 years, Sthapati worked hard to restore and elevate the

status of the sacred art and architecture by affiliating courses to the

University of Madras and offering degree courses. This brought academic

status to the age-old tradition of learning and also initiated many young

people into this traditional technology.

 

After retirement from government service, he established Vaastu Vedic Trust

and Vaastu Vedic Research Foundation aimed at research, development and

globalization of Vaastu Shastra. He is also the head of the professional

guild named V. Ganapati Sthapati & Associates. This group of talented

designers, engineers and craftsmen work together to create Vaastu inspired

temples and other buildings in India and abroad. The palatial buildings of

library and administrative block for Tamil University of Tanjore and the

Muthiah Mandram in Madurai speak of his capacity for designing and

executing works of stupendous nature. Of particular interest is his

monumental vaastu sculpture/building of Thiruvalluvar at the southern tip

of India at Kanya Kumari measuring 133 feet in elevation: a stone statue of

liberty for India. This colossal marvel has taken him to the pinnacle of

his life's achievement as a traditional architect and builder and

commendations and awards have reached him from around the world for this

achievement: a poetic image that will be with us for thousands of years.

 

He has authored a number of books on the science and technology of Vastu

Shastra and has conducted numerous seminars with professionals in a

generous effort to make this knowledge available to the world. He has

established the International Institute of Mayonic Science and Technology,

which conducts workshops and discourses all over the world.

 

Sthapati holds the post of the Professor and the Head of the Department of

Sthapatya Veda in the World University of Traditional Indian Science,

Technology and Culture in Chennai.

 

Some of the notable books he has authored include: Iconometry, Temples of

Space Science, The Building Architecture of Sthapatya Veda, and Commentary

on Mayan's Aintiram.

 

Sthapati has earned a number of titles and awards including an Honorary

Fellowship by the Indian Institute of Architects, the National award for

Master Craftsmanship by the President of India, the title of " Shilpi Guru

of India " also by the President and a Doctorate Degree conferred by the

Maharishi Mahesh Yogi Vedic University.

 

He has worked and researched the USA, U.K., Australia, France, Fiji,

Germany, Holland, Singapore, Malaysia, Mexico, Guatemala and Peru.

 

This pulsating and vibrant researcher, sculptor, architect, philosopher and

scientist has given forth many startling research discoveries on the

intricacies of the traditional art and architecture of India and is quite

optimistic that one day Vaastu science will be a major influence in the

world. He has identified the theories of the origin of the Universe and its

life forms through his research on the works of Mayan scaling height far

beyond the mundane world of modern science and technology.