Any reason behind really huge idols in temples?

[JR]

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I was reading about 'Sri Mundi Vinayagar' in the Temples section. That made me wonder what is the reason behind some really huge vigrahas at the temples? Like this Ganesha, and Namakkal Anjaneyar, Malaysia Murugan... are the idol's/deities' prabhavam or shakti increased that many times?

 

[renuka]

That made me wonder what is the reason behind some really huge vigrahas at the temples?

I am reminded of the song 'From a distance"

It's the hope of hopes, it's the love of loves.
This is the song of every man.
And God is watching us, God is watching us,
God is watching us from a distance.
Oh, God is watching us, God is watching.
God is watching us from a distance.​

 

[JR]

Namaste,

I was wondering if in Agama Shastra it is defined somewhere that huge idols be erected for worship on special occassions. Sometimes, many people (like olden day Maharajas) construct temples based on some dreams/visions they had. So I would like to know if there have been instances like this and any reasons for the same, if available.

 

[sangom]

Namaste,

I was wondering if in Agama Shastra it is defined somewhere that huge idols be erected for worship on special occassions. Sometimes, many people (like olden day Maharajas) construct temples based on some dreams/visions they had. So I would like to know if there have been instances like this and any reasons for the same, if available.

Smt. JR,

I don't know about Agama Sastra, but the Silpa Sastra according to which Sthapathis or stone masons usually make the idols for the sanctum sanctorum, have to do so depending upon the land area of the temple Sreekovil or Garbhagriham as we say here in Kerala, which depends upon the area available for the inner and outer praakaarams. Hence, as per our ancient conventions if you want to instal a large idol you must have the necessary open land. My rough idea is that the relationship between the two is geometrical not arithmetical. In r/o Kerala temples, the taller the idol (Moolavar) in the sanctum the taller should be the Kotimaram or flagstaff and this is one practical consideration which limits the idol size, even if land is available aplenty, because a very tall flagstaff has to have a very spacious base and also one single teakwood of the required height and girth.

The "prabhaavam" is not at all linked to the idol size and there are umpteen instances to support this. The Kasi Viswanathar is just above ground level. We have a devi temple in Alleppey in Kerala where the Moolasthanam is just a stone with a spade-cut right at the ground level and only the priest doing the pooja will be able to see. For the Public there is a stone idol of Devi about 5 feet tall but it is not the moolavar but only an ornamental addition. There used to be this concept of the "power" or prabhaavam (as you call it) of the moorthi, in the olden days, but in today's context there is only popularity & tourist potential for the idols!!

 

[mkrishna100]

I do not know the reason behind the huge idols in Temple but last week I visited the Nanganallur Anjaneyar Temple and was imppressed by the Huge Anjaneya in the temple . The Huge idol is very clear for me for my own mental visualization during my prayers and meditation . In many temples I am unable to clearly see the deitly cleeraly as it is very small and from a distance you can only see a rough outer shape of the deity and not all its clear features .
The Other temples wher I was impressed with the Huge Idols are Shiva Linga in Brihadeeshwar Temple ( Tanjore ) , Vishnu in Saranagapani Temple ( Kumbakonam ) and Vishnu in Ananthapadmanabha Swamy Temple in Trivandrum ,as well as in Adyar , Ganesha in Dooda Ganesha Temple in Basavangudi ,Bangalore , Anjaneya in Nanganallur , Namakkal , Suchindrum .
So for me the Huge Idols serve the purpose of Mental Visualization for Dhyanam .

 

[V.Balasubramani]

JR Ji,

During the Mogul rule, it is history that Hindu temples were very frequently attacked and looted by them.

In order to prevent and preserve these temples and deities, and as a means of safety measure to the general public, temples were constructed in vast area with provision of granaries, water and with a moat filled with water. and crocodiles.

They are not mere temples at ancient times, they also served as shelter in times of emergency like enemies attack and of course at natural calamities. Every temple has a huge bell.

Look at the size of Nandhi at Sri Brihadeeswarar temple at Tanjore. Sri Ranganathaswamy temple at Sri Rangam, Sri Jagandeswarar temple at Vellore. The Vellore temple is located inside a Fort which has a moat.

So the huge size of the temple/presiding deity establishes that are not mere temple/deity and have served significant purpose beyond place of worship.