| Title | Temple architecture styleUncommon |
|---|---|
| Description | Temple architecture in India encompasses diverse regional styles and traditions, reflecting the religious, cultural, and historical contexts of the subcontinent, with variations in materials, forms, and ornamentation. |
| Also Known As | Dravidian Architecture Temple Granite carvings pyramidal tower. Vijayanagara Architecture Hoysala Architecture Badami Chalukya Architecture Chola Architecture Pallava Architecture Karnataka Dravida Style Dravidian Ornate carvings pyramidal towers. Kakatiya Architecture Deccan Architecture South Indian Temple Architecture Telangana Temple Architecture Kalinga Architecture Wheel-shaped intricate carvings Dravida Architecture Nagara Architecture Vesara Architecture Chalukya Architecture Pandya Architecture Elevated sanctuary curvilinear tower Rekha Deul Pidha Deul Khura Deul Jaga Mohan Bagan Replica Architecture of Indian Mahabodhi Temple Design Bagan Temple Architecture Indian Mahabodhi Temple Design Bodh Gaya Replica Indic Architectural Replication Parthian Sanctuary Architecture with Indian Religious Ritual Influences Indian Temple Architecture Mithraic Traditions Indo-Iranian Religious Practices Parthian Architecture Indian Cosmological Concepts Elaborate carvings soaring towers Khakhara Deul Pancharatha plan Orissan Temple Architecture Shaktism influences in temple iconography Vaishnavism influences in temple iconography Hilltop Dravidian Temple with Colonial Vernacular Dravidian Hill Temple Colonial Hill Station Heritage Eco-friendly Pilgrimage Dravidian Cave Temple with Hilltop Sanctum Cave Sanctum Architecture Limestone Geology Dravidian Murugan Worship Resilient Heritage Dravidian Vaishnavite Temple Architecture with Granite Pillars Vaishnavite Temple Architecture Granite Pillared Mandapa Chettinad Diaspora Heritage towering gopurams. Nayaka Architecture Pancharatra Agama Shastra Vaikhanasa Agama Shastra Kerala Dravidian Sloping roofs gopuram. Kerala Architecture Koothambalam Design Chera Style Traditional Hindu Temple Architecture Vastu Shastra Silpa Shastras Later Chola influences (possible given their historical presence in the region) |
| Tags | Religious architecture Mandir Kovil Chaitya Prasada Shrine Mandira Vastu Shastra Devalaya Temple Sacred Architecture Sacred Religious Garbhagriha Shikhara Mandapa India Hindu Architecture Shilpa Shastras Hindu Architecture Sacred space |
| Style ID | INHF-STY-1632753564-09:23:28:21:04:22:TAS |
| URI | https://www.inheritage.foundation/aat/styles/temple-architecture-style |
| API Endpoint | https://www.inheritage.foundation/api/v1/aat/temple-architecture-style |
| Total Sites | 12 |
| Primary Sites | 0 |
| Created | November 19, 2025 |
| Last Updated | November 29, 2025 |
External References
Regions
| Regions | India Pan-Indian |
|---|
Historical Context
| Time Periods | Ancient Medieval Early Modern Ancient to present Ancient to contemporary Ancient to Present Ancient to pre-modern Ancient times onwards |
|---|---|
| Dynasties | Various Various dynasties and kingdoms |
Sacred Context
| Sacred Contexts | Hindu temples Jain temples Buddhist temples Hindu Temples Buddhist Temples Jain Temples Temples |
|---|---|
| Associated Deities | Various Hindu deities Jinas Buddhas Various Hindu Deities Buddha |
Architectural Details
| Primary Materials | Stone Brick Wood Timber |
|---|---|
| Architectural Features | Shikhara Gopuram Mandapa Garbhagriha Shikharas Gopurams Mandapas Garbhagrihas Sculptures Torana Vimana Prakara Shikhara/Vimana |
Keywords
| Keywords | Religious architecture Mandir Kovil Chaitya Prasada Shrine Mandira Vastu Shastra Devalaya Temple Sacred Architecture Sacred Religious Garbhagriha Shikhara Mandapa India Hindu Architecture Shilpa Shastras Hindu Architecture Sacred space |
|---|
Recommended Sources
| Title | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| History of Indian and Eastern Architecture | Book | |
| The Hindu Temple | Book | A comprehensive overview of Hindu temple architecture and symbolism. |
| Surendra Kumar Maity, 'Masterpieces of Indian Terracotta' | book | General overview of Indian temple architecture. |
| Stella Kramrisch, 'The Hindu Temple' | Book | Classic study of Hindu temple architecture |
| The Art and Architecture of the Indian Subcontinent | Book | General overview of Indian temple architecture. |
| Indian Temple Architecture | Book | General introduction to Indian temple architecture |
Heritage Sites (12)
| Site Name | Status | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Bull Temple (Dodda Basavana Gudi) Bengaluru | Secondary | 100% |
| Chilkur Balaji Temple Hyderabad | Secondary | 100% |
| Konark Sun Temple Konark | Secondary | 100% |
| Lingaraj Temple Bhubaneswar | Secondary | 100% |
| Mahabodhi Temple Bagan | Secondary | 100% |
| Mehter Tepe Balkan Turkmenistan | Secondary | 100% |
| Mukteswara Temple Bhubaneswar | Secondary | 100% |
| Sri Aruloli Thirumurugan Temple Penang Hill | Secondary | 100% |
| Sri Subramaniar Temple Gunung Cheroh Ipoh Perak | Secondary | 100% |
| Sri Sundararaja Perumal Temple Klang Selangor | Secondary | 100% |
| Tirumala Venkateswara Temple Tirupati | Secondary | 100% |
| Vadakkunnathan Temple Thrissur | Secondary | 100% |
See Also
Related Materials
Stone
Brick
Wood
Timber
Related Features
Shikhara
Gopuram
Mandapa
Garbhagriha
Shikharas
Gopurams
Mandapas
Garbhagrihas
Sculptures
Torana
Vimana
Prakara
Shikhara/Vimana
How to Identify Temple architecture style
- Look for characteristic features: Shikhara, Gopuram, Mandapa.
- Verify geographic location: Temple architecture style architecture is typically found in India and Pan-Indian.
- Examine construction materials: Temple architecture style typically uses Stone and Brick.
- Consider historical context: This style dates from Ancient.
- Compare with documented examples: 12 heritage sites use this architectural style.