Sacred combination yogic symbols, ecological knowledge, and the Natha Sampradaya's contribution to Uttarakhand's temple architecture

Abstract

Temples in Uttarakhand have been understood as expressions of the Yogic, Tantric, and ecological consciousness of the Natha tradition. In this paper, the influence of the Himalayan region, its sacred rivers, and the philosophical aspects of yogic practices on the architectural construction of Natha temples will be examined. Principles of Natha Yoga, such as chakras, nāḍīs, and nāda, were embedded in temple architecture to bring about spiritual enlightenment and the realization of the self. While the garbhagriha is considered symbolic of the mūlādhāra chakra, the mandapa and antarala symbolize the spiritual journey of yoga practice. Examples of Devalgarh, Jogibara, SatyaNatha Peeth, Bindhara Gorakh Cave, and Siddha temples at Dehradun illustrate the connection between yoga, tantric cosmology, and ecology in Natha architecture. Local water conservation methods, like stepwells, have been adopted by the temple designs, whereas local stones and wood have been used for the construction of the temples in the mountainous terrain. Conclusively, the influence of Natha on the architectural design of temples in the Himalayas is through a Shaiva-yogic outlook, whereby the temples become centres of spirituality and ecology.