Abstract - Classical Indian architectural principles and tradition has been collected and preserved in a vast body of literature collectively known as the Vāstuśāstra. This branch of classical Indian knowledge is a realization of Hindu ideals in terms of architectural edifice, which significantly influence the religious architecture of the Indian cultural sphere which extends to the medieval Island of Java. Even though Indian influences are recognizable in the design of Javanese Hindu candis from the Ancient Mataram era, to what extend the Indian vāstuśāstra was followed is less obvious, for the Javanese candis contain some architectural elements that are not found in vāstuśāstra or Indian temples. By identifying and comparing vāstuśāstra and ancient Indian temples with Javanese candis, it should bring more clarity on which elements are part of the Indian culture continuity and which are part of the local genius. By doing so, the relation between Javanese candi and vāstuśāstra could be reasonably deduced. In this study, a comparative and qualitative method with with historical and textual approach is used. The author focuses on the overall form of the elevation as well as the mass and spatial arrangement. This study would collect and compare the relevant parts of vāstuśāstra as well as Indian examples obtained from literary studies with datas from six samples of Mataram era candis, three from the early period and three from the midclassic period.Comparison by the author shows several results. Firstly, the elevation of Mataram era Hindu candi fits into the basic mould of Indian temples as described in the vāstuśāstra, with seven distinct elements in the vertical direction termed Upapīṭha, Adhiṣṭhāna, Pada, Prastara, Gala, Śikhara, and Stūpi. However, various architectural details of these elements have marked differences from the norms of Indian temples and from what is instructed in the Vāstuśāstra. The distinctive Javanese Kala-Makara for example, does not conform to the Indian Toraṇa-Makara described in Mānasāra. Some Javanese elements has no Indian prototype at all. Secondly, the mass and spatial arrangement of Javanese candis have even more pronounced difference than Indian temples. The typical Javanese arrangement of main temple opposing three secondary temples in a row is not found in India. Conversely, Indian arrangement with an attaching Maṇḍapa in front of the main temple tower is not present in Java at all. In the case of orientation, Javanese candis may be oriented to west or east, while Indian temples overwhelmingly preferred east.The result of this study suggests that the relation between Javanese candi and the vāstuśāstra is a loose and flexible one; vāstuśāstra is used on some aspect such as the basic temple shape but disregarded in the details and ornaments. Javanese candi designers freely adopts and discards various parts of the vāstuśāstra according to prevailing conditions. Those conditions might be due to local materials and taste which form distinctive traits of local genius. Javanese designers never sought to replicate a perfect imitation of Indian temples in Java; rather, Javanese designers shows a creative and selective attitude in responding to foreign influence which yields the innovative and unique design of candi. In the oldest phases, Indian influences can be detected in such a way that candi can be considered an Indian export that has been localized. As time goes, especially since the time of Prambanan, Indian prototype becomes more difficult to discerned until candi becomes a thoroughly local architectural product.Key Words: Javanese candi, Indian temple, Vāstuśāstra, Ancient Mataram
3D modelling of an Asbad (Persian windmill): a link between vernacular architecture and mechanical system with a focus on Nehbandan windmill
