ARCHITECTURAL KINSHIP: BALI'S MERU AND HIMACHAL'S PAGODA TEMPLES

Abstract

This article explores a striking architectural kinship between temples of two geographically distant yet culturally linked regions within the broader Hindu sphere. The study focuses on the shared multi-tiered, pyramidal roof form—manifested as the Meru tower in Bali and the pagoda-style temples of the Himalayan region—as a key indicator of a common symbolic and architectural lineage rooted in the concept of Mount Meru. While emphasizing this structural similarity, the article also analyses significant differences in layout, materials, and construction techniques shaped by climatic and environmental conditions. Balinese temples exhibit open, courtyard-based planning with stone and thatch, whereas Himachali temples are compact, timber-stone structures adapted to alpine conditions. Together, these building design styles illustrate cultural diffusion alongside regional adaptation. The image on right demonstrates the pagoda-style temple of Uluwatu in Bali as an example.