Concepts of Temple Architecture in Ancient India

Temples in ancient India flourished greatly during the period of the Indian Bronze Age. Indian architecture of temples includes the Hindu, Jain, Sikh and Buddhist religious worship places. Whether it is the ancient ‘Stupas’ or the Buddhist ‘Bodhi’ tree, the basic structure of the plinth from bricks, foundation, and the large floor space remained constant. There were varying architectural styles of temples in ancient India during the Classical period, like the circular dome temples, stand-alone temples, apsidal temples, truncated pyramidal temples, square prostyle temples, etc. These architectural variations were attributed to the distinction in race, geographical location, climate, ethnicity and history. 

Types of Architectural Style of Temples in Ancient India

Three styles of architecture are seen in the buildings of Hindu temples of ancient times. They are listed as follows.

1. Nagara or the Northern India style
2. Dravida or the Southern India style
3. Vesara or the Mixed style.

These variations are seen due to cultural differences and historical lineages in different parts of the nation. The dharmic ideas, traditions, and basic Hindu beliefs also influenced the style of building temples in ancient times. 

Varieties of Hindu Temples

The images of the worshipped gods were often engraved in India’s Hindu  temples of ancient times. Every temple was decorated with an image of the god revered in that geographical location. There were three types of shrines designed based on how many accesses they had.  

• Sandhara types had a square-shaped sanctum for Pradakshina.
• The Nirandhara type was without the Pradakshina Patha.
• Sarvatobhadra types had all-side access. 

Predominant Forms of Indian Architecture  in Temples

Till the 8th century, the Hindu temples may have been called ancient temples due to their architecture. After that, up to the 13th century, the temples which arose are described as medieval due to the change in the architecture. The types of raw materials, the belief systems and the theological texts influenced the difference in building them. From ancient cave cuttings or rock shapings designed into temples, there arose temples made from materials like soft stone, granite, bricks, etc. Some features of the Indian architectural style of temples are discussed as follows.

• Kalinga architecture: The Indian states of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh had this type of architecture in their Hindu temples. Rekha, Pidha and Khakhra temples were the three types built. These are constructed with the images of Gods like Vishnu, Shiva, Surya, Durga and Chamunda.
• Badami Chalukya architecture: Huge sandstone blocks were cut to build Hindu temples with this type of architecture in ancient India around 500 CE. A gallery surrounding the sanctum sanctorum seen in the Durga Temple also has a semi-circular apse and a higher plinth beam. The god Vishnu is sculptured above a snake, as seen in the Hutchimali Temple. Stories of Ramayana are depicted in images in the Virupaksha Temple. 
• Maru-Gurjara architecture: This is a popular Jain temple type seen in Rajasthan and Gujarat in ancient India. Developing between the 11th  to 13th centuries, this architectural style of temples was seen in Hindu temples, which later got adapted in the Jain architectural works. They typically have a large number of niches on the external walls, which have statues that are sharply carved. The ‘Shikhara tower’ has plenty of spirelets atop. 
• Gadag architecture: this type existed between 1050 CE to 1200 CE and included the Saraswati Temple of Gadag in Karnataka. Intricate sculptures are carved on the ornate pillars of the Amrutheshwara temple. Another name for this architecture type is the Western Chalukya type, after the Kalyani Chalukyas, who ruled there. 

Buddhist Temple Architecture of Ancient India

Buddha is said to have received his enlightenment in Bodhgaya, Bihar. The Mahabodhi temple is built from bricks at Bodhgaya and was first built in the seventh century and was later restructured with Colonial architecture. It has a narrow shape extending upwards without any curves. 

Cave Architecture of Ancient India

The cave exhibits architectural art from Jainism, Buddhism, and Hinduism. This originated between 600 to 1000 CE and is exhibited in Ajanta, Ellora, Badami, Karla, and Elephanta Caves. There are more than 100 caves in the Ellora heritage site with temples engraved. Rock-cut architectural designs were made in caves as they lasted longer. The Kailasa temple in Ellora is shaped like a chariot and is the biggest monolithic rock carving in the world. 

Conclusion

Despite the ancient architectural style of temples built in the classical and medieval periods, many structures remain today. Examples of the cave temple architecture, as seen in the Ellora caves, have become UNESCO World Heritage sites. The Nagara, Dravidian and Vesara types of architecture were the most ancient Indian varieties incorporated in different parts of the country.