Temple Architecture in India: Styles, History & Key Features

With its many regional styles and elaborate designs, Indian temple architecture captures the rich cultural, spiritual, and artistic legacy of the subcontinent. Temple architecture, which displays the creative accomplishments of ancient civilizations, is an important component of cultural and religious expression. Its main functions are as a house of worship and a representation of religious convictions. Symbolic structures, elaborate designs, and intricate carvings are hallmarks of Indian temple architecture. Over centuries, distinct styles emerged in various regions, such as the Nagara in the north and the Dravidian in the south. These temples served as gathering places for social and cultural events in addition to being places of worship. The earliest examples of temple architecture in the subcontinent are scarce. The first shrines in the subcontinent were only tree or fenced-in areas. Some of them were connected to the worship of nagas, Nagis, yakshas, and yakshis. Indian temple architecture, showcases the rich spiritual and artistic heritage of India through its distinct regional styles and intricate structural designs.

In this article, we will examine the history of Temple architecture in India and discuss a few important examples of ancient temple architecture and also you can download Indian Temple Architecture PDF for the UGC NET History Exam.

In this article the readers will able to know about the following:

• Temple Architecture- Introduction
• Basic Features of the Hindu Temples
• Basic Form of Temple Architecture in India
• Types of Temple Architecture
• Temple Architecture During Post Mauryan Period
• Temple Architecture During The Gupta Period

Temple Architecture- Introduction

Temple architecture, which aims to create a hallowed area for worship, is an essential manifestation of religious and cultural values. It displays the creative abilities and religious convictions of the societies that constructed them. Various geographical areas created distinctive architectural styles that combined practicality and symbolism. Temples are significant historical landmarks because they frequently function as hubs for religious, cultural, and social activities.

Hindu temples are built with particular architectural elements that represent different cultural traditions and spiritual ideas. These fundamental elements come together to form a hallowed area for worship and social events.

• Garbhagriha (Sanctum Sanctorum): The idol or image of the primary deity is housed in the innermost chamber of a Hindu temple. Devotees concentrate their prayers in what is regarded as the most sacred area of the temple. Typically, only priests conduct rituals in this tiny, dim room.
• Shikhara or Vimana (Temple Tower): The tall building above the Garbhagriha is known as the Shikhara in North India or the Vimana in South India. Often fashioned to resemble a mountain peak, it represents the bond between the divine and the earthly. Rich carvings and sculptures adorn this architectural element.
• Mandapa (Assembly Hall): Devotees congregate in this pavilion or hall supported by pillars for rituals, prayers, and cultural events. It acts as a buffer between the sanctum and the outside world. Gods, dancers, and scenes from mythology are frequently intricately carved into the Mandapa.
• Pradakshina Patha (Circumambulatory Path): This corridor, which circles the Garbhagriha, permits worshippers to walk in a clockwise manner. Respect and devotion to the deity are symbolized by this circumambulation ritual. Usually enclosed, the path is occasionally embellished with sculptures or murals.
• Gopuram (Temple Gateway): The Gopuram is a colossal gateway tower that is particularly noticeable in temples in South India. It serves as a visual guide for devotees to the temple complex and is extremely elaborate. Gopurams are frequently adorned with vibrant statues of mythical animals, gods, and goddesses.

Basic Form of Temple Architecture in India

India's fundamental temple architecture is based on a sacred pattern that dates back thousands of years and represents the universe and spiritual growth. Indian temples typically share fundamental components that represent religious beliefs and ritual requirements, notwithstanding regional variances.

Garbhagriha (Sanctum Sanctorum)

The idol of the primary deity is housed in the most revered and innermost chamber, the Garbhagriha. It is usually dark, small, and designed to evoke a feeling of divinity and mystery. Since it symbolizes the temple's spiritual core, only priests are permitted entry.

Shikhara or Vimana (Temple Tower)

The tall building above the Garbhagriha is known as the Shikhara in Nagara style or the Vimana in Dravidian style. It represents the spiritual ascent toward the divine or the cosmic axis. From a distance, these towers act as visible markers and are frequently lavishly decorated.

Mandapa (Pillared Hall)

Devotees congregate in the Mandapa, a pillared hall in front of the sanctum, for rituals and worship. It serves as a passageway between the outside world and the temple's interior sanctity. Scenes from everyday life and mythology are intricately carved into many Mandapas.

Antarala (Vestibule)

The Antarala is a narrow passageway that links the Mandapa and the Garbhagriha. It marks the transition from public to sacred space and has both a structural and symbolic function. Although it may have ornamental elements, it is usually a simple chamber.

Pradakshina Patha, also known as the Circumambulatory Path

This route circles the Garbhagriha and is used by devotees to carry out the reverent practice of pradakshina, or circumambulation. In order to represent unity with the divine, the path enables worshippers to circle the deity in a clockwise direction. It is frequently enclosed and occasionally embellished with inscriptions and sculptures.

Types of Temple Architecture

Based on regional styles, structural components, and design philosophies, Indian temple architecture can be broadly divided into three categories: Nagara, Dravidian, and Vesara. The artistic, religious, and cultural traditions of the area in which each style originated are reflected in it.

• Nagara Style (North Indian Style): Known for its curved Shikhara (tower) above the Garbhagriha, the Nagara style originated mainly in North India. Typically, temples are elevated platforms devoid of ornate gateways or boundary walls. The design places a strong emphasis on vertical elevation and frequently includes numerous smaller towers (Urushringas) and elaborate carvings.
• Dravidian Style (South Indian Style): This style originated in South India and is distinguished by the Gopurams, which are grand entrance gateways, and the Vimanas, which are pyramidal towers. Temples frequently have sizable temple tanks and are typically surrounded by compound walls. During the Chola, Pandya, and Vijayanagara eras, this style peaked with elaborate sculptures and expansive complexes.
• Vesara Style (Deccan or Hybrid Style): This Deccan-derived architectural style combines Dravidian and Nagara architectural elements. Usually, it has a combination of pyramidal and curved towers with elaborate carvings and elaborate pillars. The Chalukyas and Hoysalas popularized this architectural style, which is regarded as a unifying form in central India. The Brihadeshwara Temple in Thanjavur is a prime example of Dravidian architecture temple style, known for its towering vimana and elaborate sculptures.

Temple Architecture During Post Mauryan Period

Hindu temple architecture from the Post-Mauryan era are only known from their ground plans, which were uncovered by archaeological investigations; of which the superstructures have not been preserved. A Hindu temple is a symmetrically designed structure with numerous variations on a Pada grid in which exact geometric objects like squares and circles are depicted. 

Among the earliest evidence of the beginning of Temple Architecture from this period is a Vishnu temple from the second century BCE, found close to the Heliodorus pillar in Vidisha, Madhya Pradesh. This temple's remnants are believed to date to the third century BCE. Another important example of temple architecture was the Sankarshana temple found in Nagari, Rajasthan (ancient Madhyamika). Here, a stone enclosure for a Vishnu shrine is mentioned in an inscription from the first century BCE. Below the enclosure's surface level, archaeologists discovered the remnants of an earlier building that dates to the third century BCE.

The most exciting example of ancient temple architecture is found at Sonkh, where a series of Apsidal temples were excavated. Let us examine in detail the features of Apsidal Temple No. 2 at Sonkh to better understand the earliest temple architecture.

• A large portion of the stone railing surrounding the temple compound was engraved on both sides. 
• On the southern side of the railing, there were the exquisitely carved ruins of a stone entrance, which had two pillars supporting a superstructure of three architraves with voluted ends. 
• An architectural piece from the bottom lintel of the doorway was carved with a relief depicting a naga and a nagi reclining on thrones, surrounded by servants and by people bowing in submission. 
• There is no doubt that Apsidal Temple No. 2 was a superb naga temple based on this carving, a variety of stone sculptures and reliefs, terracotta figurines and moulds, inscriptions, and the top half of a four-sided, seven-headed stone naga image.

Another set of temple complexes was found at Nagarjunakonda. As they are essential evidence of the beginning of temple architecture in South India, let us have a look at some of its features.

• The Nagarjunakonda temple complexes lacked a unified architectural design. Some had a single shrine that was oblong, apsidal or square in shape. 
• Others had multiple shrines, each of which was preceded by a mandapa (pillared hall). 
• These complexes might either have two apsidal shrines or both apsidal and rectangular constructions. 
• The majority of the temples had east-facing entrances. 
• Stone was employed for the pillared mandapas and brick was the primary building material.
• Wood was used in one of the temples. 
• The mandapas appear to have flat roofs and must have been supported by carved limestone pillars.
• Temple walls were plain and simple.

With the arrival of the Gupta Dynasty on the scene, the ‘Golden Age’ of Indian History started. The Gupta period marked the beginning of the second stage of Indian Temple Architecture.

Temple Architecture During The Gupta Period

In the development of Indian temple architecture, the time between 300 and 600 CE is a critical turning point. According to historian Coomaraswamy, the Gupta period was characterised by governmental stability and affluence, which facilitated the formation of magnificent local art forms free from Greek and West Asian influences. 

The temple architecture under Gupta Dynasty developed in two stages- Early and Later Gupta Style. Let us look at both of them:

Early Gupta Style

The 3rd through 5th centuries CE are considered the early Gupta period. This architectural design has produced both free-standing and cave temples. Let us explore some of the major features of the early Gupta Period.

• Early temples were modest in size. 
• The deity fit perfectly inside the square garbha-griha (sanctum), which was roughly 10 x 10 feet in size. 
• The roof was typically flat, and there was a small porch. 
• Temple gateways were frequently beautifully and lavishly carved, whereas temple walls tended to be simple.

A remarkable cave complex was found in Madhya Pradesh near Udayagiri. The low-lying sandstone hills have been the site of about 20 cave excavations. Three of these have inscriptions from the Gupta era, two from Chandragupta II and one from Kumaragupta. All of the temples in this complex are single-roomed buildings with a pillared porch as the entryway. Most interiors are plain. However, the entrances have elaborate decorating. Its pillars each had a square base, an octagonal shaft, and a capital in the form of a vase.

Later Gupta Style

The complexity of the layout rises in the later Gupta style, which dates to the fifth and sixth centuries CE. In the later Gupta style of temple architecture, the following features were prominent.

• The temples were now constructed on a platform or plinth with a staircase. 
• A pyramidal or curvilinear tower took the place of the flat roof. 
• They were constructed using bricks adhered with mud mortar or stone put together with dowels. 
• The entryway and outside walls were more ornately decorated with representations of the expanding Hindu pantheon's gods and goddesses, floral patterns, etc.

One of the most well-known examples of later Gupta-style temple architecture is the Dashavatara temple in Deogarh. 

• The shikhara at the Deogarh Dashavatara temple were curved. 
• Its shikhara was about 40 feet high, and it featured four sizable porches. 
• The construction was made of stones that were joined together by dowels. 
• A variety of themes, including birds, attendants, Purnaghatas, mithuna figures (couples), svastikas, foliated scrolls, and dwarfish figures, are shown on the main gateway of the Deogarh temple. 
• The conch and lotus carvings or paintings on door jambs are another hallmark of this era and are evident at the Deogarh temple. 

Conclusion

India's domestic, governmental, and cultural life were all at its pinnacle during the Gupta Era. Rock-cut architecture and sculpture reached new heights during the Gupta era. Hindu caves and structure temples also made their first appearance. The famous poet Kalidasa emerged from this era in literature. Religion greatly influenced the production of art. Worship of beauty and aesthetics was promoted by the Bhagavata movement, widespread belief in Krishna as a kid, and divinity. The creative endeavours of Ajanta demonstrate that Buddhism was also patronised.

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