KAILASA Library/Sarvajnapeetha - Think Tank of Hinduism/Nithyananda Sacred ArtsSign in
Sarvajnapeetha - Think Tank of Hinduism

Nithyananda Sacred Arts

This text was machine-transcribed from the printed book and may contain errors. Select the words and choose “Report a mistake”.

Awakening the World to the Splendor of Indian Temple Arts

śilpaṁ hāsminnadhigamyat ya evaṁ veda | yadeva śilpānī |
ātmasanskṛtirvāva śilpāni cchandomayaṁ vā etairyajamāna
ātmānaṁ sanskurute ||

Shilpāni, works of art of man, is the imitation of Divine forms. By employing their rhythms, the artisans metrically reconstitute, and interpret the limitless knowledge of the sacred hymns, from the limits of human ability.

~ Aitareya Brahmana, Rg Veda, 6.5.27

A sculpture artist creating deities
Offering worship to Vishvakarma

“Nithyananda Sacred Arts is established to preserve, revive and spread the Vedic temple arts, architecture and actfacts for people to live and experience the rich consciousness-based Vedic heritage.”

- H.H. Paramahamsa Nithyananda

Offering worship to Vishvakarma, the Divine Architect of Gods who builds their celestial abodes and sacred arts (at Nithyananda Sacred Arts, Bengaluru Aadheenam)

Making wax model of a deity
Sculpting wax model
Multi-headed, multi-armed wax deity model
Mud mould in casting pit
Heating the mud mould over fire
Pouring molten Panchaloha metal
Breaking open the mould
Uncovering the cast metal deity
Chiseling and sculpting the cast metal deity

♦ Casting of metal deities in Panchaloha (5-metal combination of copper, brass, zinc, tin and gold), involving an elaborate and authentic process of a single mould for every metal casting, employing the following processes:

♦ Wax modelling of deities

♦ Covering the wax model with mud from the banks of the river Cauvery

♦ Melting the wax through extremely high temperatures

♦ Pouring molten metal into the mud mould to cast the deities

♦ Extracting the metal deity from the mould and finishing it through skilled sculpting work

♦ Generating intricate line drawings and crafting the rare sculpting tools that are unavailable in the regular market.

♦ Employing the 'Sithuzhi velai' – extremely fine and nested carving on metal using extra-fine tools to show ornate details on the deity forms.

♦ Using only the coconut palm leaf for all measurements with the Vedic unit of measurement called 'talam'.

Finishing details on metal deity
Completed Panchaloha deities
Wrapping completed deity for transport
Moving packaged deities with crane
Loading deities onto transport vehicle
Craftsmen carving a large multi-headed wooden or wax deity
Craftsmen working on small metal sculptures
Deity sculpture lying flat on work surface
Craftsmen preparing clay molds
Chiseling and breaking away mold from cast sculpture
Craftsman working on a pedestal/base
Artist drawing deity designs in a sketchbook
Carving intricate details on metal sculpture
Polishing and finishing a metal statue
Fine facial carving on a bronze deity sculpture
Attaching or finishing a trident or spear implement

Restoring the tradition and livelihood of Sthapathis, the temple architects

Sthapathis are experts in temple architecture and idol creation. They belong to the unique tradition of Vishwakarma community, descending from the celestial architect Vishwakarma.

H.H. Paramahamsa Nithyananda is upholding the purity of the science of temple building by bringing new life and livelihood to this rare Sthapati and artisan community, along with the authentic science of temple arts.

Each step of the sthapati’s task is outlined in the Sthapatya Vedas and Agamas (the scriptures of Vedic architectural science) and being approached with great care, devotion and ritual, bearing the purity of the tradition.

Ceremonial puja at the Sacred Arts

Ceremonial puja at the Sacred Arts

Sculpting tools and deity

♦ His Holiness is providing training, livelihood and growth opportunities to Sthapathis – temple architects – and hundreds of artisans and their families, giving them economic stability to continue their family profession, which has been alive for generations.

H.H. Paramahamsa Nithyananda training and inspiring the artisans

H.H. Paramahamsa Nithyananda training and inspiring the artisans

Deity of Vishvakarma, the Divine Architect

Deity of Vishvakarma, the Divine Architect

His Holiness with Sadguru Sri Jayaprakeshendra Saraswathi Mahaswamiji

His Holiness with Sadguru Sri Jayaprakeshendra Saraswathi Mahaswamiji, 169th Guru Mahasannidhanam of Sri Chakra Sri Vidyapeetham Aadheenam Mahasansthanam

Seated male deity or sage statue
Nataraja statue in dancing pose
Seated goddess sculpture
Metal statues in a workshop, including seated deity

Creation of Metal Deities in Panchaloha

(5- sacred metals)

♦ Temple arts in not only panchaloha, but also in silver, stone, sheet metal, marble and wood.

Multiple identical standing metal statues
Large metal deity statue under construction in a workshop

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

◆ Continuously producing temple structures, deities, vahanas (vehicles of the deities), flagstaffs, temple jewelry, worship items, kavacham (sacred armors), sacred weapons, deity arches, crowns & jewelry of deities, chariots & thrones as per the Agama Shastra – the oldest available scriptural text of instructions from Lord Shiva.

◆ Sacred creations are sent to all Nithyanandaeshwara Hindu Temples and home temples in 33 countries, including Singapore, Malaysia, USA, Canada, Australia and Indian states.

MATERIALQUANTITYWEIGHT
Metal562 statues17,325 kg
Stone (granite)2674 statues1.07 million kg
Marble482 statues96,400 kg

| Wood | 261 statues,
vehicles, thrones,
etc. | - |

| Jewelry & Decoration | For 1280 deities | - |

Spatika Lingam

Spatika Lingam

Gigantic Idol of Ganesha in stone being lifted post-creation

Gigantic Idol of Ganesha in stone being lifted post-creation

Carved stone pillars

Shiva Lingas with the rare yantras carved

Shiva Lingas with the rare yantras carved
Granite statues of Hindu deities
Granite statue of a multi-armed goddess
Granite temple structure shrine

Creating large temple structures and deities in granite (stone)

H.H. Paramahamsa Nithyananda says that the science of using the energy of space or ether is the basis of Vastu Shastra. We can live in harmony with the universal energy by constructing dwellings and structures in a manner that fits with the spatial energy of the universe.

Granite Shiva Lingas and sculptures
Silver vessels and ornaments
Silver armor and weapons
Naga and Shiva Linga

Kavacham (sacred armors)

for adorning the deities

Armor pieces laid out
Swami viewing silver ritual items
Statue of deity with armor
Golden cow/bull vahana
Ornate kalashas and deity crowns
Tanjore painting being made
Traditional temple jewelry

Temple jewelry production for adorning the deities

• 1 lakh Vedic artifacts

Collected from all over India, rejuvenated and distributed for everyday usage to infuse deeper consciousness and better health into modern day living.

Collection of antique brass vessels, lamps, frames, and artifacts

TO HAPPEN...

◐ Evolve as an independent city
producing Hindu temple arts and
artifacts for distribution to the whole
world. Produce items for 400 Hindu
temples within the next 3 years.

◐ Confer doctorate degrees on the
sthapathis and artisans for preserving
the invaluable Vedic knowledge and
skill.

BE A PART OF PRESERVING & PROLIFERATING Sacred Arts Cost Estimate INR 250 crores

Wooden temple chariot (ratha)
Stone sculpture of Hindu deity seated under a banyan canopy
sarvajnapeetha