Mathematical Knowledge on Changu Narayan Temples’ Arts and Architectures: Ethnomathematics Perspective

Abstract

This paper thoroughly explores the intricate nexus between mathematical knowledge and the artistic and architectural elements of Nepal's Changu Narayan temple, employing ethnography as its methodological framework. Through meticulous observation, documentation, and analysis, the study unveils a rich repository of mathematical concepts intricately woven into the temple's structural design, encompassing geometric principles and mensuration spanning two-dimensional and three-dimensional shapes. From similarities in trapeziums and congruent rhombuses to the incorporation of circles, semicircles, and diverse triangular configurations alongside complex solid shapes like right circular cones, rectangular-based pyramids, and square-based cuboids, the temple serves as a vivid testament to the enduring significance of ethnomathematics within Nepalese culture, particularly in Hindu religious practices. This symbiotic relationship between mathematics and cultural traditions underscores the profound relevance of ethnomathematics as a pedagogical tool, fostering mathematical comprehension and appreciation among students. Thus, the findings advocate for integrating ethnomathematics into school curricula, harnessing cultural artifacts such as the Changu Narayan temple as potent resources for advancing mathematical education.