Key Points

A Hindu temple typically consists of a sanctum sanctorum (garbhagriha), an entrance hall (mandapa), a mountain-like spire (shikhara in the north, vimana in the south), and the vehicle of the main deity (vahan).

The two primary orders of temple architecture are the Nagara style, prevalent in North India, and the Dravida style, found in South India. A third style, Vesara, is a hybrid of Nagara and Dravida elements, primarily seen in the Deccan.

Nagara temples are built on a raised stone platform (jagati), feature a curvilinear tower (shikhara) over the garbhagriha, and typically lack extensive boundary walls or gateways (gopurams).

Dravida temples are enclosed within a compound wall with a large gateway tower (gopuram). The main tower, known as a vimana, is a stepped pyramid, and the complex often includes a large water tank.

The Nagara style has three main shikhara types: 'Latina' or rekha-prasada which is square at the base and curves inward to a point, 'Phamsana' which is broader with a straight incline, and 'Valabhi' which is rectangular with a wagon-vaulted roof.

The Panchayatana style involves a main central shrine surrounded by four smaller subsidiary shrines at the four corners, making a total of five shrines. The Dashavatara temple at Deogarh is a classic example of this style.

Built by the Chandela kings around the 10th century, the temples of Khajuraho, like the Lakshmana and Kandariya Mahadeo temples, are famous for their grand shikharas, projecting balconies, and extensive erotic sculptures.

Built in 1026 by the Solanki Dynasty in Gujarat, the Sun temple at Modhera is known for its massive rectangular stepped tank called the 'surya kund' with 108 miniature shrines, and an ornate assembly hall (sabha mandapa).

Odisha temples, a distinct sub-style of Nagara, feature a shikhara (deul) that is vertical before curving sharply at the top. The Sun Temple at Konark is designed as a colossal chariot with 12 pairs of wheels, pulled by seven horses.

The Pallava dynasty, ruling from the 6th to 8th centuries, pioneered Dravida architecture. Their contributions include the rock-cut rathas and the structural Shore Temple at Mahabalipuram.

Completed around 1009 by Rajaraja Chola in Thanjavur, the Brahadeeshwarar temple is the largest and tallest Indian temple. It features a massive pyramidal vimana rising over 70 meters, topped by a monolithic octagonal dome.

In the Deccan, the Rashtrakutas created the Kailashnath temple at Ellora, a massive monolithic temple carved from a single rock. The Chalukyas developed the experimental Vesara style at sites like Aihole, Badami, and Pattadakal.

Hoysala temples, such as those at Belur and Halebid, are known for their unique star-shaped (stellate) ground plans. They are constructed from soft soapstone, allowing for extremely intricate and detailed carvings.

Major Buddhist sites include the Mahabodhi Temple at Bodhgaya and the monastic university of Nalanda in Bihar. Nalanda was a major center for Buddhist art and learning, influencing art across Asia.

Jains were prolific temple builders, with important sites across India. The Dilwara temples at Mount Abu are famous for their simple exteriors and extraordinarily intricate marble interiors, while Sravana Belagola in Karnataka has the world's tallest monolithic statue of Gomateshwara.