Erotic elevation: Exploring the psychological and cultural dimensions of sexual imagery carved on tudals of temples of kathmandu valley
Hindu temple art in the Kathmandu Valley of Nepal is renowned for its intricate carvings, particularly the tudals—wooden roof struts—that often depict gods and goddesses in explicit sexual poses. These carvings, deeply rooted in Tantric traditions, symbolize fertility, cosmic unity, and spiritual tr...
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| Formato: | Online |
| Idioma: | spa |
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Universidad de las Regiones Autónomas de la Costa Caribe Nicaragüense - URACCAN
2025
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| Acceso en línea: | https://camjol.info/index.php/RCI/article/view/20551 |
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RCI20551 |
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ojs |
| institution |
Universidad de las Regiones Autónomas de la Costa Caribe Nicaragüense |
| collection |
Ciencia e Interculturalidad |
| language |
spa |
| format |
Online |
| author |
Adhikary, Ramesh Prasad |
| spellingShingle |
Adhikary, Ramesh Prasad Erotic elevation: Exploring the psychological and cultural dimensions of sexual imagery carved on tudals of temples of kathmandu valley |
| author_facet |
Adhikary, Ramesh Prasad |
| author_sort |
Adhikary, Ramesh Prasad |
| description |
Hindu temple art in the Kathmandu Valley of Nepal is renowned for its intricate carvings, particularly the tudals—wooden roof struts—that often depict gods and goddesses in explicit sexual poses. These carvings, deeply rooted in Tantric traditions, symbolize fertility, cosmic unity, and spiritual transcendence. Despite their cultural and historical significance, there remains a paucity of psychological research on their impact. This study employs a multidisciplinary approach integrating historical, cultural, and psychological perspectives to explore the implications of these carvings. Historical and cultural analyses reveal their origins in Tantric practices, where sexual symbolism signifies the union of opposing forces to achieve enlightenment. Mythologically, the carvings depict divine unions like Shiva and Shakti, embodying profound spiritual concepts. Culturally, the Newar community views these carvings not as taboo but as sacred representations of life’s vitality and divine blessings. Symbolically, they denote the integration of dualities and the cyclical nature of existence, which is crucial for spiritual growth. Psychologically, Freudian and Jungian frameworks elucidate how these carvings serve as outlets for repressed desires and facilitate individuation by integrating unconscious elements. This research synthesizes existing literature and conducts archival research to contextualize these carvings within their historical and religious frameworks. It also employs thematic analysis to uncover their symbolic meanings and uses of psychological theories to interpret their impact on worshippers and visitors. By bridging gaps in existing scholarship, this study aims to deepen our understanding of Nepali temple art’s psychological dimensions. It underscores the importance of these carvings not just as aesthetic artifacts but as profound expressions of spirituality and cultural identity. Ultimately, this research contributes to broader conversations at the intersection of sexuality, spirituality, and cultural heritage, highlighting the enduring relevance and significance of these ancient artistic traditions in contemporary society. |
| title |
Erotic elevation: Exploring the psychological and cultural dimensions of sexual imagery carved on tudals of temples of kathmandu valley |
| title_short |
Erotic elevation: Exploring the psychological and cultural dimensions of sexual imagery carved on tudals of temples of kathmandu valley |
| title_full |
Erotic elevation: Exploring the psychological and cultural dimensions of sexual imagery carved on tudals of temples of kathmandu valley |
| title_fullStr |
Erotic elevation: Exploring the psychological and cultural dimensions of sexual imagery carved on tudals of temples of kathmandu valley |
| title_full_unstemmed |
Erotic elevation: Exploring the psychological and cultural dimensions of sexual imagery carved on tudals of temples of kathmandu valley |
| title_sort |
erotic elevation: exploring the psychological and cultural dimensions of sexual imagery carved on tudals of temples of kathmandu valley |
| title_alt |
Elevación Erótica: Exploración de las Dimensiones Psicológicas y Culturales de las Imágenes Sexuales Talladas en los Tudals de los Templos del Valle de Katmandú |
| publisher |
Universidad de las Regiones Autónomas de la Costa Caribe Nicaragüense - URACCAN |
| publishDate |
2025 |
| url |
https://camjol.info/index.php/RCI/article/view/20551 |
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RCI205512025-07-06T14:00:59Z Elevación Erótica: Exploración de las Dimensiones Psicológicas y Culturales de las Imágenes Sexuales Talladas en los Tudals de los Templos del Valle de Katmandú Erotic elevation: Exploring the psychological and cultural dimensions of sexual imagery carved on tudals of temples of kathmandu valley Adhikary, Ramesh Prasad Nepali temples tudals sexual imagery Hindu art Tantric traditions psychological impact Templos nepalíes tudales imágenes sexuales arte hindú tradiciones tántricas impacto psicológico El arte de los templos hindúes en el Valle de Katmandú, Nepal, es renombrado por sus intrincadas esculturas, especialmente los tudales—vigas de techo de madera—que a menudo representan a dioses y diosas en poses sexuales explícitas. Estas esculturas, profundamente arraigadas en las tradiciones tántricas, simbolizan la fertilidad, la unidad cósmica y la trascendencia espiritual. A pesar de su significado cultural e histórico, existe una escasez de investigación psicológica sobre su impacto. Este estudio emplea un enfoque multidisciplinario que integra perspectivas históricas, culturales y psicológicas para explorar las implicaciones de estas esculturas. Los análisis históricos y culturales revelan sus orígenes en las prácticas tántricas, donde el simbolismo sexual representa la unión de fuerzas opuestas para alcanzar la iluminación. Mitológicamente, las esculturas representan uniones divinas como Shiva y Shakti, encarnando profundos conceptos espirituales. Culturalmente, la comunidad Newar ve estas esculturas no como tabú, sino como representaciones sagradas de la vitalidad de la vida y las bendiciones divinas. Simbólicamente, denotan la integración de dualidades y la naturaleza cíclica de la existencia, crucial para el crecimiento espiritual. Psicológicamente, los marcos freudianos y junguianos elucidan cómo estas esculturas sirven como salidas para deseos reprimidos y facilitan la individuación al integrar elementos inconscientes. Esta investigación sintetiza la literatura existente y realiza una investigación archivística para contextualizar estas esculturas dentro de sus marcos históricos y religiosos. También emplea el análisis temático para descubrir sus significados simbólicos y utiliza teorías psicológicas para interpretar su impacto en los devotos y visitantes. Al cubrir las lagunas en la erudición existente, este estudio pretende profundizar nuestra comprensión de las dimensiones psicológicas del arte de los templos nepalíes. Subraya la importancia de estas esculturas no solo como artefactos estéticos, sino como expresiones profundas de espiritualidad y identidad cultural. Finalmente, esta investigación contribuye a conversaciones más amplias en la intersección de la sexualidad, la espiritualidad y el patrimonio cultural, destacando la relevancia y significado perdurable de estas antiguas tradiciones artísticas en la sociedad contemporánea. Hindu temple art in the Kathmandu Valley of Nepal is renowned for its intricate carvings, particularly the tudals—wooden roof struts—that often depict gods and goddesses in explicit sexual poses. These carvings, deeply rooted in Tantric traditions, symbolize fertility, cosmic unity, and spiritual transcendence. Despite their cultural and historical significance, there remains a paucity of psychological research on their impact. This study employs a multidisciplinary approach integrating historical, cultural, and psychological perspectives to explore the implications of these carvings. Historical and cultural analyses reveal their origins in Tantric practices, where sexual symbolism signifies the union of opposing forces to achieve enlightenment. Mythologically, the carvings depict divine unions like Shiva and Shakti, embodying profound spiritual concepts. Culturally, the Newar community views these carvings not as taboo but as sacred representations of life’s vitality and divine blessings. Symbolically, they denote the integration of dualities and the cyclical nature of existence, which is crucial for spiritual growth. Psychologically, Freudian and Jungian frameworks elucidate how these carvings serve as outlets for repressed desires and facilitate individuation by integrating unconscious elements. This research synthesizes existing literature and conducts archival research to contextualize these carvings within their historical and religious frameworks. It also employs thematic analysis to uncover their symbolic meanings and uses of psychological theories to interpret their impact on worshippers and visitors. By bridging gaps in existing scholarship, this study aims to deepen our understanding of Nepali temple art’s psychological dimensions. It underscores the importance of these carvings not just as aesthetic artifacts but as profound expressions of spirituality and cultural identity. Ultimately, this research contributes to broader conversations at the intersection of sexuality, spirituality, and cultural heritage, highlighting the enduring relevance and significance of these ancient artistic traditions in contemporary society. Universidad de las Regiones Autónomas de la Costa Caribe Nicaragüense - URACCAN 2025-06-17 info:eu-repo/semantics/article info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion Peer-Reviewed Article Artículo revisado por pares application/pdf text/html audio/mpeg audio/mpeg https://camjol.info/index.php/RCI/article/view/20551 10.5377/rci.v34i2.20551 Ciencia e Interculturalidad; Vol. 34 No. 2 (2024); 154-169 Ciencia e Interculturalidad; Vol. 34 Núm. 2 (2024); 154-169 2223-6260 1997-9231 spa https://camjol.info/index.php/RCI/article/view/20551/25208 https://camjol.info/index.php/RCI/article/view/20551/25238 https://camjol.info/index.php/RCI/article/view/20551/25302 https://camjol.info/index.php/RCI/article/view/20551/25304 Derechos de autor 2024 URACCAN http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0 |