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Indian Temples |
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India - A land of intense spirituality
and religious faith reflected in the profusion of temples present
in this subcontinent. Temples are found every where in India
from large monumental structures to small stonebuildings, eachhaving
a certain significance and greatly influencing the lives of
the people who regard the temple as a place where they could
be close to god.
Hinduism is the religion followed by the Hindus. The Hindu philosophy
has a very strong influence on the people governing various
aspects of their lives including their spiritual life. The Hindu
temples apart from being religious also play the role of a social,
cultural and economic center influencing the lives of the people
both in the cities and villages. These wonderful monuments form
a part of the Indian cultural heritage.
South India Temples
Southern India is dotted with places of religious interest.
There are several towns that are referred to as the temple towns
owing to the grandeur of the temples they are home to. Southern
India is dotted with places of religious interest. There are
several towns that are referred to as the temple towns owing
to the grandeur of the temples they are home to. Rameshwaram
is an island- of Lord Rama's temple at Tamil Nadu is a terrific
destination. Along with being a major pilgrimage for the Hindus,
Rameshwaram is a happening holiday spot too. Rameshwaram is
significant for the Hindus as a pilgrimage to Benaras is incomplete
without a Pilgrimage to Rameshwaram.
Architecture of South Indian Temples
This is the style that developed in the Dravida Desam. The Vimana
and the Gopurams are the distinctive characteristics of the
Southern style. The Vimana is a tall pyramidal tower consisting
of several progressively smaller storeys. This stands on a square
base. The Gopuram has two storeys seperated by a horizontal
moulding. The Prakara or the outer wall, envelops the main shrine
as well as the other smaller shrines, the tank.The Pallavas,
the Cholas, the Pandyas, the Vijayanagar rulers, the Nayaks
all contributed to the Southern style of temples.
Major Temples in South India
Badami Cave Temples, Guruvayoor Temple, ISKCON Temples, Jagannath
Temple, Kailash Temple, Lepakshi Temple, Lingaraja Temple, Meenakshi
Temple, Mukteswara Temple, Sabarimala Temple, Thousand Pillar
Temple, Tirupati Tirumala Balaji
North India Temples
The temples in North India which can be described as the typical
Nagara style. These temples escaped the destruction due to invasion.
The temples as well as the literature laying down the rules
and mode of construction have been well preserved in Orissa.
In this style, the structure consists 0f two buildings, the
main shrine taller and an adjoining shorter mandapa. The main
difference between the two is the shape of the Sikhara. In the
main shrine, a bell shaped structure adds to the height. As
is usual in all Hindu temples, there is the kalasa at the top
and the ayudha or emblem of the presiding deity.
North India Temple Architecture
The basic structure of temples in India is a room or Garbhagriha
(sanctum sanatorium) where the idol of the main deity is kept.
The temple is approached by a flight of steps and is often built
on a platform. A porch covers the entrance to the temples, which
is supported by carved pillars. A prominent roof called the
shikhara surmounts the top of the Garbhagriha, and dominates
the surroundings. As time went, by small temples grew into temple
complexes. Some temples have a hall or mandap from where one
can reach the sanctum sanctorum.
Temple architecture in India is broadly divided into northern
and southern styles, classified by the form and shape of the
shikhara and the distinctiveness of its decoration. The shikhara
of the temples in South India tend to be made up of distinct
horizontal levels that diminish to form a rough pyramid. Each
level is decorated with miniature temple rooftops. The shikhara
of the temples in North and Central India, in contrast, resembles
an upturned cone that is decorated with miniature conical shikharas.
Some temples developed their own local flavor apart from adhering
to their basic native style.
Famous Temples in North India
Akshar Dham, Bahai Temple, Baijnath Temple, Birla Mandir, Bodhi
Temple, Chattarpur Mandir, Dilwara Temple, Dwarkadhish Temple,
Eklingji Temple, Golden Temple, ISKON Temples, Jagannath Temple,
Jwalamukhi Temple, Kailash Temple, Kashi Vishwanath Temple,
Khajuraho Temples, Lakshmi Narayan Temple, Maha Bodhi Temple,
Lingaraja Temple, Lotus Temple, Mukteswara Temple, Naina Devi
Temple, Omkareshwar Temple, Orcha Temple, Shankracharya Temple,
Somnath Temple, Sun Temple - Konark, Sun Temple - Modhera, Vaishno
Devi
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