Editing Architecture of India (section)

=== Torana ===
[[File:Nova Toran Temple , Khor ,Neemuch Nimach near vikram Cement Campus (20).jpg|thumb|[[Nav Toran Temple]], [[Neemuch]], Madhya Pradesh]]
'''Torana''', also referred to as '''vandanamalikas''',<ref name=tor10>Parul Pandya Dhar (2010): ''The Torana in Indian and Southeast Asian Architecture''. New Delhi: D K Printworld. {{ISBN|978-8124605349}}.</ref> is a free-standing ornamental or arched gateway for ceremonial purposes seen in the [[Hindu architecture|Hindu]], [[Buddhist]] and [[Jain]] architecture of the [[Indian subcontinent]], [[Southeast Asia]] and parts of [[East Asia]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.oxfordartonline.com/view/10.1093/gao/9781884446054.001.0001/oao-9781884446054-e-7000085631|title=Toraṇa {{!}} Grove Art|year=2003|language=en|doi=10.1093/gao/9781884446054.article.T085631|access-date=2018-08-08|last1=Hardy|first1=Adam|isbn=978-1-884446-05-4|archive-date=13 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220113014230/https://www.oxfordartonline.com/view/10.1093/gao/9781884446054.001.0001/oao-9781884446054-e-7000085631|url-status=live}}</ref> Chinese [[paifang]] gateways, Japanese [[torii]] gateways,<ref name=tor4>{{cite book |author=Albert Henry Longhurst |title=The Story of the Stūpa |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gs1sFlMGy2AC&pg=PA17 |year=1992 |publisher=Asian Educational Services |isbn=978-81-206-0160-4 |page=17 |access-date=12 June 2021 |archive-date=22 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231022223518/https://books.google.com/books?id=gs1sFlMGy2AC&pg=PA17#v=onepage&q&f=false |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=tor5>{{cite book|title=China's old dwellings|author=Ronald G. Knapp|publisher=[[University of Hawaii Press]]|year=2000|page=85|isbn=0-8248-2214-5}}</ref><ref name=tor6>{{cite book|title=Frommer's China|author1=Simon Foster |author2=Jen Lin-Liu |author3=Sharon Owyang |author4=Sherisse Pham |author5=Beth Reiber |author6=Lee Wing-sze |publisher=[[Frommers]]|year=2010|page=435|isbn=978-0-470-52658-3}}</ref> Korean [[Hongsalmun]] gateways, and Thai [[Giant Swing|Sao Ching Cha]]<ref name="scheid">{{cite web|url=http://www.univie.ac.at/rel_jap/bauten/anm_torii.htm#aussershinto|title=Religion in Japan|last=Scheid|first=Bernhard|work=Torii|publisher=University of Vienna|language=German|access-date=12 February 2010|archive-date=28 August 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100828213102/http://www.univie.ac.at/rel_jap/bauten/anm_torii.htm#aussershinto|url-status=live}}</ref>  were derived from the Indian ''torana''.

Torana is considered sacred and honorific gateway in [[Hindu architecture|Hindu]] and [[Buddhist architecture|Buddhist]] religious sites.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/torana|title=torana &#124; Indian temple gateway|website=Britannica.com|access-date=3 December 2021|archive-date=13 October 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231013142840/https://www.britannica.com/topic/torana|url-status=live}}</ref> It is built with a projecting cross-piece resting on two uprights or posts. Mostly made of [[wood]] or [[Rock (geology)|stone]], and the cross-piece is generally of three bars placed one on the top of the other; both cross-piece and posts are usually sculpted.

Toranas are associated with Buddhist [[stupa]]s like the ''[[Great Stupa of Sanchi|Great Stupa]]'' in [[Sanchi]], as well as with Jain and Hindu structures, and also with several secular structures. Symbolic toranas can also be made of flowers and even leaves and hung over the doors and at entrances, particularly in Western and Southern India. They are believed to bring good fortune and signify auspicious and festive occasions. They can also serve didactic and narrative purposes or be erected to mark the victory of a king.<ref>Parul Pandya Dhar, (2010). ''The Torana in Indian and Southeast Asian Architecture,'' (New Delhi: D K Printworld,).</ref>

During [[Vesak|Vesak festival]] of [[Sri Lanka]] it is a tradition to erect electrically illuminated colorful Vesak toranas in public places. These decorations are temporary installations which remain in public display for couple of weeks starting from the day of [[Vesak]].

{{gallery
|title=Hindu, Buddhist and Jain toranas
|width=180
|height=120
|File:North_Gateway_-_Rear_Side_-_Stupa_1_-_Sanchi_Hill_2013-02-21_4480-4481.JPG|Rear side of North Torana of Stupa-1 at [[Sanchi]] Hill, 3rd century BCE to 1st century BCE, India
|5=File:Dola Mandap.jpg|6=A photo of Torana taken in 1890 of 10th century [[Jagannath Temple, Puri]], India|7=File:Muktesvara deula.jpg|8=Torana of the 10th century [[Muktesvara deula]], India.|9=File:Warangal_fort.jpg|10=Torana from the 12th century [[Kakatiya dynasty]], at [[Warangal Fort]], India|11=File:Door to ancient time.jpg|12=Torana in Sas-Bahu Temple, Udaipur|13=File:Temples at Jaisalmer Fort -Jaisalmer -Rajasthan -Seal Sum 04.jpg|14=12th century Torana at [[Parshvanatha temple, Jaisalmer Fort]]}}