Free Essay On Holy Spaces

While Kandariya Mahadeva temple in India and the Notre Dame temple in Paris have several things to set them apart, they are both religious buildings with features that communicate important messages to the Devotee and serve a religious purpose effectively.
The Cathedral of Notre Dame is a model in Gothic architecture, which was popular in Europe between the twelfth and fifteenth centuries, although the cathedral was built in the twentieth century. Such architectural models bore in their style elements of architectural design that had come to Europe as a result of its contacts with India. In both the Cathedral of Notre Dame and the Kandariya Mahadeva, the profuse embellishments, the ornamental spikes, the copious external sculpture and up surging architectonic masses confer a certain beauty to the places of worship that evoke awe and reverence.
Both the Kandariya Mahadeva and the Cathedral of Notre Dame are huge, so as to accommodate a large number of devotees. The Cathedral has a sculptural design, meant to symbolize the generosity of divinity on human beings. It has an outdoor alter and pulpit, where services are conducted during holidays when the crowds are massive. During such services, the sculptural design of the Cathedral gives a monumental backdrop to the event. The Kandariya Madeva temple also has a prolific manifestation of sculptural design. Several erotic figures grace the building, because the Hindu believes that carnal bliss symbolizes the union of divinities with the unbound. The basic symbols of sexuality in the temple symbolize proactive urge and sexual energy, an important component of Hindu religion.
Moreover, both the Notre Dame Cathedral and the Kandariya Mahadeva have a divine symbolic plan. The Kandariya Mahadeva is a mandala. This is a geometric drawing symbolizing the universe. The Notre Dame Cathedral recalls a dove’s wings, praying hands or the shape of a boat, which are all symbols of divinity.
Thus, both the Kandariya Mahadeva and the cathedral of Notre Dame are buildings of perfect religious design. They both have features that represent divinity and its connection with humanity; hence, they can both attract the devotee.