Introduction to Hindu Iconography 2.0
After the tremendous success of the first edition of Hindu Iconography by Śrī Ramakrishna Kongalla in 2023, we are delighted to bring to you the 2nd edition of Introduction to Hindu Iconography. This course will expound on the iconography on temple walls in detail and enable participants to glimpse into the cosmic symbolism of sanātana dharma.
Overview
सर्वप्रमाणरूपाय साकारतत्त्वमेव च ॥
Contents
Day 1
Evolution of Hindu Iconography :
Books: Jābāla Upaniṣad, ṚgVeda, The Nighaṇṭu & the Nirukta, Śvetāvatara Upaniṣad, Vedic Roots of Hindu Iconography, Coins of Ancient India, Epigraphia Indica.
Day 2
Śilās and Mudrās of Mūrtis :
Books: Elements of Hindu Iconography, Vāstu-Śāstra, Bṛhat Saṃhitā, Matsya Purāṇam, Agni Purāṇam, Iconography of Southern India, The Development of Hindu Iconography.
Day 3
Āyudhas and Vāhanas of Hindu Devatās, Pañca Bhūtas :
Books: Elements of Hindu Iconography, Encyclopedia of Indian Iconography, Vāstū-Śāstra, Bṛhat Saṃhitā, Matsya Purāṇam, Agni Purāṇam, Many Heads Arms & Eyes.
Day 4
Agni, Āditya, Navagrahas, Dikpālas and Gaṇeśa :
Books: ṚgVeda, The Nighaṇṭu & the Nirukta, Vyāsa Navagṛaha Stotrama, Aṣṭadikpāla Stotrama, Elements of Hindu Iconography, Encyclopedia of Indian Iconography, Vāstū-Śāstra, Bṛhat Saṃhitā, Matsya Purāṇam, Agni Purāṇam, Many Heads Arms & Eyes.
Day 5
Viṣṇu and His Forms :
Books: Viṣṇu Purāṇam, The Nighaṇṭu & the Nirukta, Prasāda Maṇḍanam, Aparājita Pṛcchā, Elements of Hindu Iconography, Encyclopedia of Indian Iconography, Vāstū-Śāstra, Many Heads Arms & Eyes.
Day 6
Śiva and His Forms :
Books: Śrīmat Kāmikāgama, Śrī Rudram Namakam Camakam, The Nighaṇṭu & the Nirukta, Prasāda Maṇḍanam, Aparājita Pṛcchā, Elements of Hindu Iconography, Encyclopedia of Indian Iconography, Vāstū-Śāstra, South Indian Images of Gods & Goddesses.
Day 7
Brhamā, Śakti and Her Forms :
Books: Devī Māhātmya, Saptamātṛkā Stotrama, Puranic Encyclopedia, Elements of Hindu Iconography, Encyclopedia of Indian Iconography, Vāstū-Śāstra, South Indian Images of Gods & Goddesses.
Day 8
Minor Devatās, Saptaṛṣis, Temple Elements :
Books: Skanda Purāṇam, Indian Art, Samarāṇgana Sātradhāra, Prasāda Maṇḍanam, Aparājita Pṛcchā, Vāstū-Śāstra, Studies in Indian Temple Architecture, Puranic Encyclopedia.
Session Recordings
Day 1
Evolution of Hindu Iconography
Day 2
Śilās and Mudrās of Mūrtis
Day 3
Āyudhas and Vāhanas of Hindu Devatās, Pañca Bhūtas
Day 4
Agni, Āditya, Navagrahas, Dikpālas and Gaṇeśa
Day 5
Viṣṇu and His Forms
Day 6
Śiva and His Forms
Day 7
Brhamā, Śakti and Her Forms
Day 8
Minor Devatās, Saptaṛṣis, Temple Elements
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Key Takeaways
Svayaṃbodha
Complete interpretation of the Hindu temple from spiritual and philosophical perspectives.
Saundaryabodha
Ability to identify all the Gods and Goddesses with their dedicated elements, and know the reason behind the specific placement of a mūrti.
Network
Get connected with a large peer group of temple enthusiasts.
Syllabus Content
Through a process of involved-learning, participants will get worksheets and handouts for each session to go along with the facilitator. A small test will be conducted post each lesson to assess the learning outcome from the session.
Certification
Participants will receive certification from Bṛhat upon successful completion of the course.
Who is this course for?
- The Śilpa of a Hindu temple is such that it holds an attraction, sammohana, for all age groups. This course is aimed at students and working professionals of all disciplines who appreciate soundaryabodha; as well as parents and teachers who wish to pass on informed understanding of Śilpa to the next generation. Professionals looking to acquire proficiency in Indian Knowledge Systems through understanding of Hindu Iconography should also join.
Know your Instructor
Ramakrishna Kongalla
Śrī Ramakrishna Kongalla is an assistant professor of Indian Culture and Heritage at the Indian Institute of Tourism and Travel Management (IITTM), Government of India (GOI), Gwalior. A member of the parliamentary committee of Arts for Central Vista, he is a photographer and photoshopper at heart, working for the Reclaim Temples movement.
His interests include photographing temples across India and digitally reconstructing the ruined temples to their original forms. His specialisation is Heritage Interpretation, and he has travelled extensively in Bhārata, training tour guides across the country. He is also one of the content writers for the IITFC online course by the Ministry of Tourism, GOI, along with serving as a mentor for the Ministry of Education Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS) initiative under National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
He is active on social media and writes extensively on Temple Architecture and their Iconography with handles like lost_temples & @artist_rama.
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