The Temples of India

First Online: May 07, 2000
Last Updated: November 16, 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

• Amriteshwara Temple
• Beauty of Khajuraho Temples
• Chariot or Car Festivals of India
• Depiction of Everyday life in Bhatkal Temples
• Devadasis - Servants of God
• Erotic Sculptures of Bhatkal Temple
• Glimpses of Temples of Keral
• The Great Temples of Somnath
• Great Temples of North India
• The Gudigars of Kanara
• Important Temples of North India
• Indian Temple History and Records
• The Lingaraja Temple of Bhubaneshwar
• Marikamba Temple of Sirsi
• The Parsis of India
• Shri Marikamba Temple
• Sun Temple of Konark
• Tantric Temples of Alampur
• Temple of Karnimata
• The Temple Women of India
• The Temples of West Bengal
• The Temples of Gwalior
• The Temples of Rajasthan
• Temples of Belur and Halebidu
• Temples of Khajuraho
• Temples of Kashmir
• Temples of Gujarat
• Temples of the Deccan
• Temples of Brindavan
• Temples of Bodh Gaya and Banares
• Temples of Karnataka
• Temples of Orissa

Pictures of Temples

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Banavasi Temple Apprx. 9th century (Kadamba period)
	Bhimkali Temple Sarahan, Himachal Pradesh
Cow, Temple, Cow. A terra cotta temple in West Bengal
	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
	Goden Temple, Amritsar
Group of Temples, Pattadakal
	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
	Kumbhapada Terracota Temple Bishnupur, West Bengal
Lord Shiva and His Consort Parvati Notice the presence of Nandi the bull between them
	Manjuguni Venkataramana Temple Village of Manjuguni, near Sirsi
Monkey with a Jackfruit Detail from a Sravanabelagola pillar
	Sculpted Magnificence Temple Towers at Khajuraho, 1977
The Sringeri Vidyaranya Temple
	Temple Architecture, Karnataka
Temple on Sand Talakadu, 1985
	Tower of Mahabaleshwar Temple, Gokarn
Tower of Nanjanagudu Temple Temple of Nanjundeswara (Shiva with poisonous throat), Nanjanagudu
	Towers of Khajuraho Temples Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh
View of the Melkote Temple

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More Pictures of Temples and Temple Art

• Abandoned Temple, Perhaps Period of Ikkeri Nayakas
• Alms Receiver Outside a Temple
• Amar Sagar, Jain Temple
• Amriteshwara Temple Complex
• Art of Marikamba Temple
• Artist Restoring a Painting at Minakshi Temple
• At the Hoysaleshwara Temple
• Barsur Temple
• A beggar at the Mangeshi temple, Goa
• Beggar with Drums Outside a Temple
• Birla Temple Complex
• Brassware of a Village Temple
• Brihadishwara Temple of 10th Century
• Brothers Veeranna and Virupanna, Lepakshi temple builders
• Car Temple Procession of Lord Sri Rama
• The Carved Interior of a Jain Temple
• Carved Pillar of a Lingayat Temple
• Carvings at a Khajuraho temple
• A Chalukya Temple, Madhya Pradesh
• Chalukyan Temple Erotica from Badami
• The Chamundeshwari Temple, Mysore
• Chariot of Tirupati Temple
• Chartubhuj Temple
• A common temple of Himalayan region
• Cricket at the Temple Complex
• Cricketer at a Temple Yard
• Dancer and Temple at Mahabalipuram
• Decorated Entrance of Banavasi Temple
• Deity of Mangeshi Temple, Goa
• Deity of Mangeshi temple Goa
• Designs Around a Temple Window
• Designs from a Pattadakal Temple
• Devotee in front of a Temple, Sibi
• Devotees from Sibi Temple
• Devotees on top of Yoganarasimha Temple
• Dilapidated Kavi Murals in a Temple
• A Door in a Cancone Temple
• Durga Temple
• Elaborately Carved Temple Panels, Khajuraho
• Entrance to Khetapai Narayan Temple
• Entrance to a Hindu Temple
• Entrance to Mangeshi Temple
• Entrance to Temple, Goa
• Erotic Art from Sibi Temple
• Erotic Engravings on the Partkal Temple Chariot, Goa
• Erotic Paintings of Sibi Temple
• Erotic Scluptures of Bhatkal Temple
• Erotic Sculptures on the Chandela Temples
• Erotica from Nandi Temple, Khajuraho
• Erotica from Temple Panel
• Erotica from a Temple Panel
• An Example of a Jain Temple Architecture in Rajasthan
• Example of Hoysala Temple
• An Excavated Temple on the Island of Salsette
• External façade of a Hoysala temple
• A Faded Fresco of Hiriyur Temple
• A Female Dancer from a Temple Sculpture in Belur, Hoysala Period
• Fire Temple at Udvada
• A front view of a typical Hoysala temple
• Gate Keeper of a Konkani Temple, Goa
• The Giant Mouse, Kurudumale Temple
• Given to Goddess -- A Temple Woman
• The Golden Temple
• Gondeshvara Temple Complex
• Gopuram of a Temple
• Gopurams of the Meenakshi Temple
• Guptkashi Temple on Way to Kedarnath
• Hanuman Meets Rawana, Bhatkal Temple Sculpture
• The haves build a temple. The have-nots just lay the foundation.
• Hindu Designs around an Old Temple Door
• Hoysaleswara Temple Complex
• Human Figures on Temple Pillar Carvings
• Hunter and the Hunted from a Lapakshi temple painting
• "I am a poor priest of a poor temple"
• Illustration of a Temple Chariot
• Inscription in Kannada Describing a Temple Grant
• Inside of Venugopalaswamy Temple Complex
• Inside Sera Temple
• Intricatedly Carved Temple from South India
• Itched Pillar and Door Decorarion of a Hindu Temple
• Jagannath Temple, Puri, Orissa
• A Jain Basadi (temple) of Lakkundi
• Jain Temple, Jaisalmer
• Jain Temple, Amar Sagar
• Jain Temple, Rajasthan
• Jain Temple, Jaisalmer
• K.L. Kamat Photographing a Temple
• Kadamba Style Temple Architecture
• Kadri Temple Features a Diety as a Doorman
• The Kalash (towering pot) of a Buddhist temple
• Kavi Art Designs on a Temple Wall
• Kavi Art from a Goan Temple
• Kavi Paintings on a Temple Wall
• The Khetapai Temple of Bhaktal
• Kolaramma Temple Plaque
• Krishna Temple, Udupi
• Lad Khan Temple, Aihole
• Lady Giving Alms at the Temple
• Lamp Post of Kadri Temple
• A Lingayat Temple
• Lord Buddha from a Sarnath temple painting
• The Lotus Shaped Bahai Temple in New Delhi
• Lovers, sculpture from a Khajuraho temple
• Madhukeshwara Temple, Banavasi
• Mahalasa Temple, Goa
• Mahamai Temple Complex, Ankola
• Man disturbs wife while she puts on make up
• Map showing important temples of North and Central India
• Melkote Temple Chariot
• Men Pulling Temple Chariot, Bhatkal
• Midnight Offerings at Gundabala Temple
• Musician at a Temple Procession
• Musicians at a Temple Procession
• Nallappa, the Builder of Sibi Temple, with his Three Brothers
• The Nimishamba Temple
• Painted Temple of Malagi
• Painting from Srinivasa Temple, Mulbagil
• Picture of Rama Temple
• Portico of Narasimhaswamy Temple, Sibi, 1982
• Portrait of a Temple Woman (Devadasi)
• Priest and his Traveling Temple
• A Priest at a Temple Procession
• Priest at Shiva Temple, Bhojpur
• Priest of Hosad Temple
• Profile of Rama Temple featuring Kavi Art
• Pulling the Temple Chariot
• Ramayana Scenes from Khetapai Temple
• Rawana from a Sibi Temple Painting
• Roman Glazed Tiles with Bull Emblem in Hindu a Temple, Goa
• Romance Depicted in Badami Cave Temple
• Royal Patron and his court, temple wall, Halebid
• Rural Temple, Tamilnadu
• Sculpted Chandela Temples Depicting Erotica
• Sculpted Chandela Temples Depicting Erotica
• Sculpture at the Kolaramma Temple
• Sculpture from a Temple of Shiva
• Sculpture of Standing Vishnu
• Sculptures of Cheluvanarayana Temple
• Sculptures from Bhatkal Temple
• Shore Temple, Mahabalipuram
• Sikh Devotees at Golden Temple
• Silhoutte of Ramesharam Temple Tower
• Silver Chariot of Kadri Temple
• Sirsi Marikamba Temple
• Small Temple, Huge Guardians
• Snake charmer, sculpture from Bhatkal temple
• Sringeri Vidyaranya Temple
• Stone Benches at the Temple Entrance
• Stone Wheels of a Chariot, Sibi Temple
• Sun Temple, Konark
• The Supporting Pillar of a Cave Temple
• Temple above Royal Palace
• A Temple Artisan at Work
• Temple Art
• Temple Art of Cheluvanarayana Temple
• Temple at Gangotri
• Temple at Bodh Gaya
• The Temple at Bodh Gaya
• Temple at Yamunotri
• Temple Bouncer (Doorman)
• Temple Builder Nallappa, with Relatives
• The Temple Chariot of Hegde Village
• Temple Chariot
• Temple Chariot, Udupi
• Temple Chariot, Tiruparankundram
• Temple Chariot, Udupi
• Temple Chariot, Tiruparankundram
• Temple Complex, Sarnath
• Temple Complex at Khajuraho
• Temple Decorated with Kavi Art
• Temple Drummer, Udupi
• Temple Elders at Venkataramana Temple
• Temple from Gwalior Fort Family
• Temple Gems and Jewelry
• Temple Guardian -- from a wall mural in Karnataka
• Temple Guard with Gun and Daggers
• Temple Guardians
• Temple Guardian -- from a wall mural in Karnataka
• A Temple in the Himalayas
• Temple in forest
• Temple Inside Temple Inside Temple
• Temple of Kedareshwar, Kedar
• A Temple of Madhya Pradesh
• Temple of Plant
• Temple of Goddess Durga
• Temple of Badrinath
• Temple of Two Towers, Nagayi
• The Temple of Plant
• Temple on Wheels (Ratha)
• Temple on Wooden Wheels, Goa
• Temple on Wheels
• Temple on Wooden Wheels, Goa
• Temple Pillar
• Temple Priest Announcing Prayer Time
• Temple Priest Reading a Inscription
• A Temple Relief with Erotic Scenes
• A Temple Sculpture Depicts Two Saints Accosting a Courtesan
• Temple Sculpture from Mahabalipuram
• Temple Supplies
• Temple within the Gwalior Fort
• Temple, Man, Cow - West Bengal
• A Terra Cota Relief from a Temple in Bengal
• A thatched roof temple with Dasara Greetings
• Toda temple with a curved roof
• Tower of a Hindu Temple, Varanasi
• Tower of Yoganarasimha Swamy Temple
• Two Panels of a Gokarn Temple Hero-stones
• Two women at the Somanath temple, Somanathapur
• A Typical Temple on Konkan Coast
• Udaipur - Hindu Temple
• Unique Temple of Aihole, 7th Century A.D.
• Vandalized Temple Building
• Veeranna's Kulavi -- illustration based on a Lepakshi temple mural
• Vegetable Sellers in front of Nimishamba Temple
• Ventilators of a Temple
• Vidyaranya Temple Building at Sringeri
• Vikas in Sriranganatha Swamy Temple
• Wheel of the Sun Temple in Konark
• Wheel of the Konark Sun Temple, Orissa
• Woman Doorkeeper from a Goan Temple

 

See Also:

• Great Temples of North India
• Kamat PictureSearch Results for: Temple
• Potpourri of religions at Kamat's Potpourri : Jainism, Buddhism, Sikhism, Hinduism

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