| Temples in India |
India - A land of intense spirituality and religious faith reflected in the profusion of temples present in this subcontinent. Temples are found every where in India from large monumental structures to small stone buildings, each having a certain significance and greatly influencing the lives of the people who regard the temple as a place where they could be close to god. Hinduism is the religion followed by the Hindus. The Hindu philosophy has a very strong influence on the people governing various aspects of their lives including their spiritual life. The Hindu temples apart from being religious also play the role of a social, cultural and economic center influencing the lives of the people both in the cities and villages. These wonderful monuments form a part of the Indian cultural heritage.
Ancient Temples
India historically referred to the territory bound by the Hindu Kush and the Himalayas, is a country full of wonderful temples. These unmatched and artistic architectures contribute richly to the Indian cultural heritage. Temples are found everywhere in India , in villages and in towns. The earliest temples are the rock cut and cave temples in India
History
They are traced at Barabar Hills in Bihar, Elephanta, Bhaja, Karla, Kanheri, Nasik and Ellora all in Maharashtra, Badami in Karnataka, and Pallavaram and Mahabalipuram in Tamilnadu. They belong to the 3rd and the 2nd century B.C. These are the caves directly cut out from the mountains. First scooped and then carved, they narrate the stories of the unmatched talents of the very first artists from the dawn of time.
Since that very time Hindu temple architecture follows a set of fundamental rules. The sanctum containing the statue or symbol of the deity is a square cella. A pyramidal structure rises above that which symbolizes the Meru Mountain , the abode of the Hindu gods. This part of the temple is the holiest of all. In this part the rituals are performed by the Brahmins. In front of this central tower is a hall open from three sides, held on beautiful pillars carved intricately. In this hall the devotees gather in large number to participate in the rituals and the chants. This is where the dances are also performed. Surrounding the hall is a courtyard with or without boundary wall.
Architecture
This courtyard is reached through a gopuram or gateway. The levels of the main sanctum, mandapa or hall, courtyard and gateway are in descending order. The garbha-griha or the sanctum is the highest as it is believed to be the chamber of the deity. To this basic architecture, little variations can be observed but to see a temple totally different in design is not possible. Because above all else, it is the residence of god, that has to bear a common thread of design in all variations.
Exclusive Temples of Ancient India
Ancient era was the witness when religious practices flourished the most and temples became the world's storehouse of knowledge and culture. Here is an exclusive list of ancient temples that have been a symbol of faith and religion for ages.
Amarnath |
Badrinath |
Baijnath Temple |
Dwarkadhish Temple |
Har Ki Pauri |
Kashi Vishwanath Temple |
Kedranath |
Khajuraho Temples |
Shankracharya Temple |
Somnath Temple |
Thanjaur |
Vaishno Devi |
Omkareshwar |
Ananta Vasudeva |
Ashvakranta Temple |
Deogarh |
Deoth Sidh |
Hidimbeshwar Temple |
Jhakhu Temple |
Masrur Temple |
Tirupati Venkateswara Temple |
Tiruvalla Temple |
Medieval Temples
The temples of the Medieval Era were varied architectural styles. The temples and the religious places built then were symbolic of the ruler and his richness and devotion.
Khajuraho |
Jagannath Puri |
Jain Temples |
Konark (Sun Temple) |
Siddhivinayak Temple |
Hazara Temple |
Virupaksha Temple |
Krishna Temple |
Ghanpur Temples |
Ettumanoor Temple |
Rudranath Temple |
Ossian Temples |
Kalkaji Mandir |
Hatimura Temple |
Hadimba Devi Temple |
Tamresvari Temple |
Chamunda Devi |
Sonepur Temples |
Renuka |
Kalighat |
Modern Temples
Modern Temples in India is a fascinating amalgam of scenic beauty, historicity and modern urban planning. A charming legend relates how the temples would recline in lotus barge that on moonlit nights would drift. Today these temples represent a multi-faceted profile; still bears the aristocratic imprint of its former rulers, among them the succession of powerful rulers. Equally impressive is the architecture with its verdant, exquisitely laid out parks and gardens, broad avenues and streamlined modern edifices.
Here is a list of few modern temples in India
The Hindu Temples being built in this modern era are more innovative in architectural styles. Despite this innovation they behold the devotees just like ancient and medieval Hindu Temples.
Chattarpur Mandir |
Lotus Temple |
Isckon Temple |
Birla Mandir |
Lakshmi Narayan Temple |
Khir Bhawani Temple |
Birla Mandir (Haryana) |
Chandi Devi |
Kali Bari Mandir |
Gopeshwar Mahadev Temple |
Bellur Math |
Ashta Lakshmi Temple |
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