Hindu temple architecture

Lore & Background

The architectural principles of Hindu temples are described in the Shilpa Shastras and Vastu Sastras. The Hindu culture has encouraged aesthetic independence to its temple builders, who have exercised considerable flexibility in creative expression by adopting other perfect geometries and mathematical principles. Remains of early elliptical shrines discovered in Besnagar (3rd-2nd century BCE) and Nagari (1st century BCE) may be the earliest known Hindu temple structures, associated with the early Bhagavata tradition. In Besnagar, archaeologists found an ancient elliptical foundation with extensive floor and plinth from burnt bricks, including foundations for garbhagriha, pradakshinapatha, antarala, and mandapa, covering an area of 30 x 30 m. The superstructure was likely made of wood, mud, and other perishable materials.

Reader's Guide

Hindu temple architecture has had a profound influence on the stylistic origins of Buddhist architecture, with aspects like the stupa possibly influenced by the shikhara, which in some regions evolved into the pagoda seen throughout Thailand, Cambodia, Nepal, China, Taiwan, Japan, Korea, Myanmar, and Vietnam. The earliest preserved Hindu temples are simple cell-like stone temples from the Gupta period, such as Temple 17 at Sanchi, evolving into high shikhara stone superstructures by the 6th or 7th century. In South India, no pre-7th century free-standing stone temples have survived, but examples from Mahabalipuram from the 7th and 8th centuries typify a developed Dravida order. By about the 7th century, most main features of the Hindu temple were established, and many regional styles developed, often following political divisions, with large temples typically built with royal patronage. The Vesara style originated between the Krishna and Tungabhadra rivers, mixing features of nagara and dravida styles, as seen at Pattadakal.

Did You Know?

• The garbha griha or womb-chamber houses the primary Murti and is crowned by a tower-like shikhara, called vimana in the south.
• The earliest known Hindu temple structures may be elliptical shrines from Besnagar (3rd-2nd century BCE) and Nagari (1st century BCE).
• Hindu temple architecture influenced Buddhist architecture, with the stupa possibly influenced by the shikhara, which evolved into the pagoda in many Asian countries.
• The architectural principles of Hindu temples are described in the Shilpa Shastras and Vastu Sastras.