Know About The Hindu Temple Architecture

Hindu temple architecture is an intrinsic element of the spirit and culture of India and holds greater meaning than merely serving as a place for people to worship - they are the focus of a community' coming together in a unified manner, often in the form assumed to represent a Divine Presence. Throughout the centuries, this architectural tradition has grown progressively from early rock-cut caves to monumental free-standing temples, while consistently retaining the core elements of symbolism, sacred geometry, and alignment with the universe. Hindu temples are a masterpiece of art, philosophy, ritual and everyday life, and they integrate these expressions into one harmonious expression.

Hindu Temple Architecture Basics

The use of precise geometric forms and layouts aligned in a given fashion is one of the most distinctive characteristics of a Hindu temple. A typical temple will consist of an enclosed complex with a shrine or shrines, gateways, and towers. The central shrine, which is considered to be the residence of the deity, is typically the most prominent structure located at the highest elevation relative to the surrounding structures, visually linking it to the spiritual realm. 

While there are differences between the architectural styles of various regions and those of earlier periods, there are also commonalities among all these examples. Their basic principles remain the same: they are representations of all aspects of the Hindu universe (fire, water, stars, earth, forces of nature, male and female). In addition, they represent two of the essential elements of life - desire (kama) and prosperity (artha). The smell of incense, the ringing of bells, and the rich visual expression all help to create an atmosphere of spiritual connectedness.
The development of Hindu temples has been influenced by a variety of factors, including geography, climate changes, available materials and the rise and fall of ruling empires. Temples built between the 3rd - 2nd centuries B.C.E. were typically small shrines or columns dedicated to Vasudeva. By the time of the Gupta Empire (around A.D. 500), wood structures were superseded by stone construction and increasingly larger and more elaborate structures.

Between the sixth and seventh centuries, the Shilpa Shastras and Vastu Shastras contained rules governing the design and layout of buildings, including temples, which formed the foundation for almost all subsequent temple architecture. Three distinct architectural styles developed in response: North Indian temples followed the Nagara style, South Indian temples were typically Dravidian in appearance, while some merged characteristics from both styles. 

Temple Planning Concepts: Vastu Purusha Mandala: 

A temple's design is based on the Vastu Purusha Mandala, which represents the divine cosmos through a geometric representation derived from an ancient form of a yantra. The most important representation of the Vastu Purusha Mandala is the 8×8 (the Ajira or Bhekapada), which was believed to represent Purusha, the central point of cosmic energy. Square = Stability; Circle = Divinity. Therefore, both shapes represent a balance between cosmic forces (Divine) and the activities that Happen Within A Temple (Human). Temples are constructed based on the "Perfect" forms, based on the expected alignment of human activity with cosmic forces.

In addition to using the hapes to create alignment between human activity, other aspects of alignment that are important in creating a temple.

The Pada, also known as the central square, represents divine presence. The temple's layout defines the different types of patterns, which can range in scale from 1 to 1024 squares depending on cultural beliefs. Each grid has a symbolic and functional significance to the temple.

There are Several Different Sections Within a Hindu Temple

1. Inner Sanctuary - Garbhagriha
The Garbhagriha is the main area of worship in a Hindu Temple dedicated to the main deity of that temple and is a place for those to connect to the deity on an intimate level. Devotees usually go in a clockwise pattern around the inner sanctuary when worshiping through the parikrama.

2. Shikhara/Vimana

Roof Structure
Shikhara or Vimana is the architecture located above the Garbhagriha, which is specific to each area where a temple is built. The Shikhara/Vimana provides an upward spiraling spiritual nature and adds to the beauty of the structure.

3. Parikrama - Path Surrounding Garbhagriha
The Parikrama/Bath is the pathway around the Garbhagriha where a devotee will walk around the deity while worshiping.

4. Mandapa - Structure in Front of Garbhagriha
A Mandapa is a structure that is open on 3 sides and is located in front of the Garbhagriha, supported by columns. The Mandapa can be used for congregational worship, or part of a religious ceremony or for special events in an individual’s life, and so connects the spiritual and the secular.

5. Antarala
The Antarala is the transitional space between the Mandapa and the Garbhagriha. It represents a boundary between the secular and the sacred. The carvings often relate to mythological stories.

Architectural Styles

Dravidian Architecture
Dravidian Architecture originated in southern India and is characterised by vaults topped with pyramidal-shaped roofs (vimanas) on the sides, tower-like structures (gopurams) as entryways or gates to temples that are often decorated with intricate sculptures (carvings). The Brihadisvara temple, located in Thanjavur (Tamil Nadu), is one of the most famous temples of this architectural style, showcasing the enormity of its granite vimana and its sprawling courtyard area.

Nagara Architecture
Nagara Architecture is found in northern and central India; it is characterised by curved "stick" shaped roof tops (shikharas), raised platforms (plinths) and a rectangular plan to the layout of the temple exterior. The centre temple at Khajuraho, Kandariya Mahadev, is an example of Nagara Architecture – it features a high upward soaring shape, detailed decorative sculptures covering the entire surface of the exterior.

Vesara Architecture
Vesara Architecture is a fusion of both Nagara and Dravidian architectural styles. Vesara Style of Architecture began during the Chalukya Empire. The greatest example of Vesara architecture is found at the Kedaresvara Temple in Karnataka, India. The Kedaresvara temple uses many types of architecture, including elements from both the Nagara style and Dravidian Style -- specifically using a pyramidal shape on top of the Vimana (the entrance to the temple), intricate carvings that support the ceiling of the Mandapa (the hall of worship), and many different types of carved decorative sculptures and ornamental designs.

In conclusion, the architectural styles of Hindu temples demonstrate the recurring theme of Cultural Continuity and Diversity in India, both in terms of how these themes are expressed through different types of structures and how the same types of structures can exist together within one temple complex. Each temple acts as a miniature model of the universe and reflects the cosmic laws, local customs, available construction materials and beliefs held by those who constructed the temple. The temple's geometry, symbols and artistry also record the progress of architecture as well as humanity, faiths and social systems during Ancient India.