INDIAN HISTORY OF

ART,ARCHITECTURE AND CULTURE

Hindu
Temple
Architecture
SUBMITTED BY:
PRAKRITI GORAI
(BFT/19/75)
 Introduction
Hindu architecture evolved over the centuries from simple rock-cut
cave shrines to massive and ornate temples which spread across the
Indian sub-continent and beyond, forming a canonical style which is still
adhered to today in modern Hindu temples across the globe.

Durga Temple, Aihole

Hindu temple architecture has many varieties of style, though the basic nature of the Hindu
temple remains the same. Hindu temple architecture reflects a synthesis of arts, the ideals
of dharma, beliefs, values and the way of life cherished under Hinduism.

Essential elements of Hindu architecture

are precise and harmonious geometry when
viewed from all four sides and above, the
square form and grid ground plans, soaring
towers, and elaborate decorate sculpture
which includes gods, worshippers, erotic
scenes, animals, and floral and geometric
patterns.

Influenced by early Buddhist structures such as the stupa, the first Hindu temples were built
from rock-cut caves. Then, with the arrival of Gupta architecture in the 4th to 5th century CE,
the first free-standing Hindu temples were constructed with features such as towers and
projecting niches.
The architectural principles of Hindu temples in India are described in Shilpa Shastra. Shilpa
Shastra mentions three main type of temple architecture - Nagara or the Northern style, the
Dravida or the Southern style and the Vesara or Mixed style.

Images Source: https://www.worldhistory.org/Hindu_Architecture/ | https://www.zoomcar.com/blog/9-indian-temples-whose-architecture-is-so-brilliant-youll-want-to-

visit-them-right-now/
 Beginnings & Purpose
From the 1st century CE a new type of worship known as Bhakti or devotional
Hinduism spread across the Indian sub-continent, and the old Vedic gods were
replaced in importance by deities like Shiva, Vishnu, Krishna, Brahma, and Devi.
These gods would become the central figures of Hinduism and their worship required
temples where the devoted could offer their thanks and reveal their hopes for a
better
life.
Buildings were constructed which could house a sacred symbol of a particular god,
which could be decorated with sculptural figures of them so recalling episodes from
their mythological adventures, and which provided a space for worshippers to leave
offerings and perform rituals such as bathing and dancing by professional female
dancers (devadasi). The temple was considered the dwelling place of a particular god
(devalaya). It was, therefore, a sacred place (tirtha) where heaven and earth meet and,
as a god's home, it must be a suitably splendid palace (prasada). The needs of the
god would, additionally, be supervised by a dedicated body of priests (pujaris) who
attended the temple.

Hindus need not attend regular services, but

an occasional walk around the temple interior
(circumambulation), known as pradaksina and
done in a clockwise direction, was considered
auspicious. Further, they could say prayers,
look at the god's representation – a specific
act of piety known as darsan – and leave
offerings of food and flowers (puja). Temples,
inevitably, became the very centre of a
community and, accordingly, their upkeep
was guaranteed by land grants and
endowments from the ruling class, as
indicated by inscriptions on many temples.

Images Source:
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons
/thumb/8/8c/HinduTempleArchitecture.jpg/220p
x-HinduTempleArchitecture.jpg
Basic features of
Hindu Temples
The form and meanings of architectural elements in a Hindu temple are designed to
function as the place where it is the link between man and the divine, to help his progress to
spiritual knowledge and truth, his liberation it calls moksha.

Garbhagriha (Sanctum Sanctorum)

It literally means womb-house and is a cave like sanctum.
In the earliest temples, it was a small cubical structure with a single entrance.
Later it grew into larger chambers.
The Garbhagriha is made to house the main icon (main deity) which is itself the focus of
much ritual attention

Mandapa
It is the entrance to the temple.
It may be a portico or colonnaded (series of columns placed at regular intervals) hall
that incorporate space for a large number of worshippers.
Some temples have multiple mandapas in different sizes named as Ardhamandapa,
Mandapa and Mahamandapa.

Images Source: https://www.worldhistory.org/img/r/p/500x600/3975.jpg.avif?v=1630750502

 Shikhara or Vimana

They are mountain like spire of a free standing temple.

Shikhara is found in North Indian temples and Vimana is found in South Indian
temples.
Shikhara has a curving shape while Vimana has a pyramidal like structure.

Vahana
It is the mount or vehicle of the temple s main deity along with a standard pillar or
Dhvaj which is placed axially before the sanctum

Amalaka
It is a stone disc like structure crowning the top of the North Indian style shikhara.

Kalasha
Wide-mouthed pot or ornamental pot-design decorating the shikhara in North
Indian temples.

Antarala (vestibule)

Antarala is a transition area between the Garbhagriha and the temple s main hall
(mandapa).

Jagati

It is a raised platform for sitting and praying and is common in North Indian temples.

Images Source: https://blessingsonthenet.com/img/uploads/indiancultures/aim_bn_1316063935.jpg

 Types of Hindu temples
Temple architecture evolved slightly differently in a different region. Shilpa Shastras
mentions three main type of temple architecture. Three main styles of temple architecture
are the Nagara or the Northern style, the Dravida or the Southern style and the Vesara or
Mixed style. But at the same time, there are also some regional styles.

Nagara (in North India) is

associated with the land
between the Himalayas and
Vindhyas.
Dravida (in South India) is
associated with the land
between the Krishna and
Kaveri rivers.
Vesara style as an
independent style was created
as a hybrid of Nagara and
Dravida styles. It is associated
with the land between the
Vindhyas and the river
Krishna.

Nagara Style
The style of temple architecture that became popular in northern India is known as
Nagara. Nagara style was developed regionally each region manifesting its own
particular qualities. For example, various sub-styles of Nagara architecture are found
vis- -vis Odisha School, Solanki School, and Khajuraho School etc.

Images Source:https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D-IzJSMU4AIRA1V.jpg | https://i.filecdn.in/2empr/temple-architecture-styles1-1596712918783.png |

https://i2.wp.com/historyflame.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Nagara-Style-Sketch.jpg?resize=400%2C250&ssl=1
Features of Nagara Style Temples

In Nagara style, it is common for an entire temple to be built on a stone platform

with steps leading up to it.
Unlike South Indian temples it does not usually have elaborate boundary walls or
gateways.
The three main distinctive features of Nagar style is Shikhara (Curvilinear tower),
Garbhagriha (Sanctum Sanctorum), Mandapa (Entrance Hall)
While the earliest temples had just one tower or shikhara, later temples had multiple
Shikharas.
The garbhagriha is always located directly under the tallest tower.

Vishwanatha temple (Khajuraho)

Jagannath Temple (Puri)

Nagara Style
Temples

Lakshman Temple (Khajuraho)

Images Source:https://www.trawell.in/admin/images/upload/3766404Khajuraho_Vishwanath_Temple_Main.jpg |
https://www.trawell.in/admin/images/upload/378945640Khajuraho_Lakshmana_Temple_Main.jpg | https://www.oyorooms.com/travel-guide/wp-
content/uploads/2019/03/Jagannath-Temple-1.jpg
 Dravida Style
Dravida style of temple architecture became popular in South India. Dravida style of
temples was developed dynastically, however the major features of these temples
remained common across the dynasties.

Features of Dravida Style Temples

Unlike the Nagara temple, the Dravida temple is enclosed within a compound wall.
The front wall has an entrance gateway in its centre, which is known as a gopuram.
The shape of the main temple tower known as Vimana is like a stepped pyramid
that rises up geometrically rather than the curving shikhara of North India.
In the South Indian temples, the word Shikhara is used only for the crowning
element at the top of the temple which is equivalent to the amalaka and kalasha of
North Indian temples.
In the Dravida style temples, one will generally find sculptures of fierce dvarapalas
or the door-keepers guarding the temple.
It is common to find a large water reservoir, or a temple tank, enclosed within the
complex.
Subsidiary shrines are either incorporated within the main temple tower or located
as distinct, separate small shrines beside the main temple.
Unlike Nagara style, at some of the most sacred temples in South India, the main
temple in which the garbhagriha is situated has, in fact, one of the smallest towers.

Images Source: https://cdn1.byjus.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/free-ias-prep/2017/11/29084421/1415776748.indian-architech-6.jpg

 Dravida Style Temples

Shore temple (Mahabalipuram)

Brihadesvara temple (Thanjavur)

Meenakshi Temple (Madurai)

Images Source: https://footloosetribe.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Shore-Temple-Mahabalipuram.jpg |

http://www.findmytemple.com/images/Article_Images/T246_madurai_meenatchi_amman_temple2.png
 Vesara Style
In the mid-seventh century, a distinct
style of temple architecture grew in
Karnataka region under the patronage
of Chalukya rulers. The temples in this
region follow a hybridised style which
combines the features of both Nagara
and Dravida styles.

Features of Vesara Style Temples

Vesara is a distinct stylistic tradition of Indian Hindu temple architecture primarily used in
the Deccan and Central India, between the Vindhyas and the river Krishna
Vesara style does not have an independent origin of its own and said to be an outgrowth
of Dravida style.
The Vesara style contains elements of both Dravida and Nagara styles. For example,
Nagara and Dravida temples are erected side by side in Badami.
Historians agree that the Vesara style originated in what is today Karnataka. According to
some, the style was started by the Chalukyas of Badami. Therefore, it is also known as
Chalukya style or Karnataka style of temple architecture. It was further improvised by
Rashtrakuta and Hoysala dynasties.
The height of these temples was reduced compared to its Nagara and Dravida
counterparts. The height of the temple tower over the sanctum is usually shorter than the
Vimanas in Dravida temples. They can be referred as miniature Vimanas. The shape of
these towers was pyramidal in profile.
Vimana was crowned by a circular shikhara above the neck.

Badami temple Keshava Temple (Somnathpur)

Images Source: https://hindutemplesindia.files.wordpress.com/2013/11/vesara-style-architecture.png | https://www.karnataka.com/wp-

content/uploads/2011/07/Keshava-Temple-Somanathapura.jpg | https://indusscrolls.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/cave.jpg

 CONCLUSION
Beginning with humble caves and squat flat-roofed temples, Hindu architecture, then,
evolved over the centuries and, despite some regional variation, arrived at a standard
arrangement which involved a huge walled complex with massive decorative gateways
giving entrance to a sacred space of lesser shrines dominated by the main temple and
its monumental series of towers. The design has become so standard that it is copied
even today in temples across the world from New Delhi to Malibu, California.

Understanding
The hindu temple architecture has been one of the oldest architectural forms of India. The
various styles depict the cultural importance of the art form applied in the construction of these
beautiful and unique temples across India. The distinct features of the Temples have a
significant value and are related to various religious beliefs of the people. The architectural
design gives a space for all types of activities that are held in the premises of the temple. Also
the three distinct types of temple we find in India, those are The Nagara Style, Dravida Style and
The Vesara style of architecture. They have different features and are found in different regions
of the country. The dravida style is developed dynastically and the Nagara style is developed
regionally each region manifesting its own particular qualities.

References:
https://neostencil.com/temple-architecture
https://www.worldhistory.org/Hindu_Architecture/
https://www.clearias.com/temple-architecture-sculpture/
https://www.culturalindia.net/indian-architecture/ancient-
architecture/temple-architecture.html
http://www.mcrhrdi.gov.in/army/week4/syndicate/group1.pdf
thank
you