Hindu Temples: Architectural styles

Temples in Hindu Culture

Temples are a pervasive and essential feature of Hindu culture. The richness of Indian society's cultural, historical, and geographical facets has inspired the construction of distinct architectural features of Hindu temples. In general, Hindu temples are divided into two styles: Nagara (northern) and Dravidian (southern). The Deccan regions of the subcontinent have a combination of these two types known as the "Vesara" type. This distinctive temple architecture emerged in the 5th century with the simple design of a central 'garbhagriha' encircled by an ambulatory path, an outer portico with columns, and a flat stone roof. Temples at Sanchi and Deogarh are examples of temples from this era. Later, these temples, for example the one at Deogarh in Madhya Pradesh, were often capped with a 'sikhara', which developed as the characteristic crowning feature of these temples (Brown).

Development of Temple Architecture

In the 8th century, the 'mandapa' (pillared hall) was added to design, along with rectangular wall around the temple and smaller shrines at the corners of the rectangular boundary. Later, a distinct architectural style developed in the temples of Orissa. The sikhara with its elliptical arch were altered to a perpendicular prismatic tower, while the mandapa was modified to have a pyramidical roof that converged at the top, below the sikhara. The Lingaraja temple at Bhubaneshwar, the Jaganath temple at Puri and the Sun temple at Konark are examples of this new architecture. At around the same time, temples in Khajuraho developed with conical towers of stacked stones, and consisted of the mandapa, an entrance hall, and a portico.

The Dravidian or the 'Southern Style'

Steeped in influence from Buddhist architecture this style emerged under the Chanakya rule in the early 7th century. The temples were minimalistic in design with square shaped, consisting of a porch, decorative pillars, and a simple roof that later evolved to sikhara. Lad Khan temple and Durga temple at Aihole are some temples of this period. Later, the Pallavas, the Pandyas and the Cholas influenced the development of these temple architectures from simple rock-cut structures to the more elaborate and intricate designs with elaborate entrance and gateways, like the temple townships at Madurai and Srirangam.

Distinct Features of the Nagara and Dravidian temples

The two temple architectures essentially differ in the design of their superstructures. The beehive shaped sikhara, simple gateways, and a square design broken at many places are distinctive features of the Nagara style. In contrast, the Dravidian style is characterized by the vimana (multistoried tall pyramidal tower,) and gopurams (the elaborate gateways), with the main shrine surrounded by smaller shrines, which are further enclosed by an outer boundary called prakara. While the sikharas in the Northern temples impart a majestic mountain-like appearance to the temples, the elaborate gopurams in the Southern temples contribute to its aesthetic grandeur. The characteristic features in the Hindu temples confer a symbolic importance to these culturally and geographically distinct societies.

Hindu Temples and Society

The Hindu temples act as an ideological link that established connection between man and gods. It is a representation of the macrocosm (the universe) as well as the microcosm (the inner space) that has evolved over past two thousand years. The Hindu religious philosophy believes cycles of rebirth, through which man is bound to the earth by assuming different life forms in each birth. Freedom of the soul, and enlightenment can be achieved through action and dedication. Temple in this context act as the site of symbolic representation of this enlightenment- where in the divine presence of the god, man can pursue the path of freedom through pure thoughts and dedicated rituals.

The divine and material lives of a Hindu are unified and whether at home or in temples, the daily routines are often intertwined with religious practices. The core belief of Hindu religion rests in multitheism, fostering a remarkable sense of tolerance and harmony between different cults. This is also reflected in the diversity of the temples, from their architectural aspect to the daily rituals. (Michell, 1988).

Hindu temples were constructed over centuries of varied political, cultural and social influences. As a result, throughout India, the temples depict their distinct scale of building, construction techniques, and the particular deities worshipped in them. The temples are often a reflection of the local skillset and resource availability. With the limited written record usually available on the background of most of the Indian temples, the characteristic architectural features serve as a testament of their distinct historical past, or the affluence of the ruling dynasties in the region. Construction of stone temples was an expensive feat and demonstrates the economic prosperity of its rulers. Besides royal families, rich merchants and influential families were often involved in building temples. However, irrespective of social and economic background, every person would provide some of donation to the temples, either in financial or other resources. For example, by funding the electric supply to the temple, or by donating two cows to provide milk for the temple and its devotees.

Besides its obvious role as a place of worship, temples in Hindu culture serves as an intellectual and artistic epicenter (Michell). Temples often include an extended complex that includes schools, hospitals or housing. The regular donations allow the temples to provide free shelter to the needy, build orphanages, and provide medical-aid to the poor. The expansive halls and porticos of the temples are used for convening religious and cultural sessions including recitations of epic folktales like the Vedas and Ramayana. Evenings in temples witness musical and dance sessions, especially on special religious occasions. These events serve as a social gathering for the people, and allow exchange of ideas and traditions. Through donations, temples often own their own land, which are rented out or used for cultivation, generating revenue for sustaining the activities of the temples. The temple also provides a means of livelihood for the local community by employing them for the temple’s activities, therby influencing the economic development of region. For example, the Brihadeshvara temple at Thanjauvr employed 600 people in 1101 A.D., which is a considerable workforce (Brown, 1942). The Hindu temples is thus central to all aspects of local life and plays a vital role in shaping the economic and social development of the region.

Works Cited

Brown, Percy. 1942. Indian Architecture: Buddhists and Hindu Period. Bombay: Taraporevala & Sons.

Michell, G. 1988. The Hindu Temple: An Introduction to its Meaning and Forms.

Chicago and London:The University of Chicago Press.