The temple door threshold

One of my aspirations for the design of our home, is to blend traditional motifs and themes from Karnataka, while still building a contemporary structure.

The threshold of a door (called hostilu or ಹೊಸ್ತಿಲು in Kannada, Umbaraṭhā or उंबरठा in Marathi) has special significance in many regions and particularly so in India. There is a popular tradition associated with the first entry of a newly wed bride into her husband's home.. At the threshold is kept a jar of rice, which she is supposed to topple into the home as she enters, thereby signifying that her arrival brings along great wealth and prosperity.

Another threshold related tradition is when devotees enter a temple. A much followed practice is to bend down, touch the threshold of the temple door and then touch one's forehead with the same hand. This is to signify that the person is bowing their head to the deity prior to entry.

I have visited Hampi four times in the last two years. I continue to be fascinated by the photography opportunities that this 600 year old, world heritage site offers.The Vijaya Vitthala temple here, is by far, the most iconic of all the Hampi monuments. I usually visit this temple several times in each visit. As I entered the temple earlier this morning, I noticed a stone carving on the temple threshold, that I had not noticed earlier. It depicts a man, woman and a child in ashtanga namaskara pose. Ashtanga refers to eight elements of the body (hands, feet, knees, chest and head).

Vijaya Vithala Temple threshold carving, Hampi

I would like to consider replicating such a motif on the threshold of the Pooja room in our home. It would link back to the cultural traditions of Karnataka in an understated manner.

...Rust is OK

...Watching out for monkey business