The Temples of India

First Online: May 07, 2000
Last Updated: February 17, 2024

Here is a detailed discussion on the history, and stylistics of some of the great temples of India. Although battered by the destructive forces of time, weather, and invading forces, the temples of India remain as the greatest legacy of the glory of the ancient Indians. Focusing on the ancient and medieval temples of  India, this section is designed as a tutorial on the tradition of Indian temple construction. Readers are encouraged to begin with a overview of technical terms and make use of the numerous cross references -- Ed.

The Somnath Temple
"The great Somnath temple signifies that the power of reconstruction is always greater than the power of destruction"

Marikamba Goddess
The temple of goddess Marikamba in the town of Sirsi is a splendid example of syncretic evolution of tribal and so called brahminical customs and rituals, befitting Hindu ethos.

Temples of Gujarat
Analysis of Jain and Hindu temple architecture of Gujarat; covers all important temples.

Temples of Kashmir
A survey of important Buddhist, Shaivaite, and Vaishnava temples of Kashmir region.

Temples of Karnataka
A long list of important temples of Karnataka and the periods of their construction. A very handy reference to different schools of architecture and paintings.

List of Articles

Pictures of Temples




Banavasi Temple
Apprx. 9th century (Kadamba period)
Ancient Temples of India
Temples of Himachal
Bhimkali Temple
Sarahan, Himachal Pradesh

Cow, Temple, Cow.
A terra cotta temple in West Bengal
West Bengal Pictures
Components of a Hindu Temple
Diagram Showing Various Components of a typical Hindu Temple

Galaganatha Temple, Pattadakal
Built during the time of Chalukya king Vikramaditya II (750 A.D), the temple features a tower in Rekhanagar style of North India. Inside the temple is a eight cornered Linga
Temple of Galaganath
Temples of India
Goden Temple, Amritsar

Group of Temples, Pattadakal
Temples of Pattadakal
Hanuman as Diplomat
Hanuman Meets Rawana, Bhatkal Temple Sculpture
Notice the multiple faces of the king and Hanuman using his tail to make seat higher than the king

Idol of Lord Krishna Dressed in Silk
Cheluvanarayana Swamy Temple of Melukote, Mandya District
Cheluvanarayana Swamy of Melkote
Terra-cotta Temple
Kumbhapada Terracota Temple
Bishnupur, West Bengal

Lord Shiva and His Consort Parvati
Notice the presence of Nandi the bull between them
Mulabagilu Temple Sculpture
Temples of India
Manjuguni Venkataramana Temple
Village of Manjuguni, near Sirsi

Monkey with a Jackfruit
Detail from a Sravanabelagola pillar
Indian Temple Archives
Temple Towers
Sculpted Magnificence
Temple Towers at Khajuraho, 1977

The Sringeri Vidyaranya Temple
Vidyaranya Temple Building at Shringeri
Temples of India
Temple Architecture, Karnataka

Temple on Sand
Talakadu, 1985
Temples of India
Temples of Gokarn
Tower of Mahabaleshwar Temple, Gokarn

Tower of Nanjanagudu Temple
Temple of Nanjundeswara (Shiva with poisonous throat), Nanjanagudu
South Indian Temple Tower
Temple Towers
Towers of Khajuraho Temples
Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh

View of the Melkote Temple
Temple Tower of Melkote


More Pictures of Temples and Temple Art

 

See Also:

Internet Links:

  • Abodes of God - Kanniks Kannikeswaran's Templenet is an excellent source of information on temples, temple architecture, legends, and locations
  • Anatomy of an Indian Temple - Patrick George dissects an Indian temple for architectural study
  • Medieval Indian Temples - Commentory on architectural style from Encyclopedia Britannica