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Hampi musical pillars showcase the scientific calculations while constructing them more than 500 years ago |
India, the
land of millions of gods and goddesses, has an incredible heritage to boast
about, which not only leaves people in awe but affirms the belief that the land
of wonders was truly a talent in the ancient times.
Even today,
tourists are awe-struck by the sound of these tapping and the blowing pillars
-- the two kinds of musical pillars found in these temples. While tapping
pillars make a sound when tapped, you hear the tunes of the flute as you blow
air in the holes the blowing pillars.
Many temples
such as the Vijaya Vittala Temple in Hampi, Nellaiappar Temple, Alwar
Tirunagari Temple, Lepakshi in Andhra Pradesh, and Adi Kumbareswarar Temple are
living examples of such resounding monuments.
One of the
prominent features of the Vijaya Vittala Temple in Hampi is the musical
pillars, which support the roof of the temple. A trip to Hampi is a must to
explore the monument of the 15th-century temple that leaves tourists in awe of
its architect, particularly the seven thin pillars which circulate one thick
post at the center.
Science
Behind it
According to
a research paper submitted by author H.A. Patil and cited by Tamil and Vedas,
the pillars in the Hampi temple -- a world heritage site in Karnataka -- have
musical columns which produce bell-like sound when struck with a thumb.
"There
is a close correlation between spectral (resonance) characteristics of
bell-like sound from pillars and actual bell sound.
The measured
frequencies of pillar have also been found to be in close agreement with
flexural frequencies derived from Euler-Bernoulli beam model and energy
separation algorithm (ESA) based on Teager's energy operator.
This model
correctly predicts the resonant frequencies of the bell-like sound from the
musical columns of the pillar," the paper said.
The
Nellaiappar Temple, one of the most prominent temples in South India, boasts
the incredible musical pillars, with each of them making a different sound. The
7th-century temple is known for its elegant and exotic carvings and located in
Tirunelveli of Tamil Nadu.
The 48 small
cylindrical pillars of varying girth around a central pillar produce different
sounds when tapped. There are sympathetic vibrations from the neighboring
pillars when one of them is tapped.
Center for
various cultural activities and located in Madurai, the Meenakshi Amman
Temple's musical pillars were carved for the purpose of playing prayers to the
god, as well as, for cultural events.
The ancient
temple -- considered one of the 100 wonders of the world -- has five musical
pillars located just outside the thousand-pillared hall which increase its
masterpiece architecture's charm to many folds, cites official government
website on Tirunelveli district.
Apart from
many other attractions, a large central pillar surrounded by 22 small pillars
is just another marvel of ancient Indian artisans, which is also affirmed in
the form of thousands of statues.
Similarly,
the Alwar Tirunagari Temple -- the famous Vishnu temple in Tamil Nadu – boasts
both the tapping and the blowing pillars, which are one of the principal
elements of this temple built during the time of Pandya kings.
The stone
nadaswaram (double-reed wind instrument) is another interesting feature of the
temple in the town of Alwar Tirunagari.
You can see
musical pillars at many other temples in South India, including the
Thanumalayam Temple where visitors are welcomed with the sound of saptha
swarangal – key seven notes of music – from four musical pillars.
In an
analysis of the rock sample from the pillars by the geology department of Presidency
college in Chennai, Geology Professor Dr. Subramanina found that Silica-rich
rock was fairly abundant in Hospet near Hampi.
The tourists
at many of these sites have however been restricted from touching these
standing testimonies to Hindu art to preserve these unique heritage structures.
Source: ibtimes.sg
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