![]() North India, strategically the most crucial part of India, has shaped the course of India's historical and cultural evolution over the last 3500 years. The three chief religions: Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism, the origin of sacred rivers Ganga, Yamuna and sources of many other important rivers lie in northern India. The mighty Himalayas ranging from Jammu and Kashmir to Arunachal Pradesh, safeguarding the country with its almost limitless periphery is also part of northern India. Delhi and New Delhi, the national capital has too witnessed umpteen battles between several emperors and has been ruled by them time and again. As such, such diverse introductions to establishing a region is sure to impact deeply upon its temple structures. Temples from North India behave as the abode of divine and serene compassion and awareness. Miraculous architecture influenced by cultural amalgamations emote profound devotion amongst devotees. It would not be an overstatement in Indian regional temple style if it is stated that north Indian temples ideally mirror the quintessential Indian laid-back living. ![]() Flamboyantly erected and aesthetically contrived, the temples of South India are unmatched in architectural brilliance. But more than being just symbols of architectural brilliance, these temples are living embodiments of rich tradition and culture that has made India proud. Southern India is specked and scattered with places of religious pursuit. In fact, there exist several towns that are referred to as the 'temple towns' on account of their grandeur and the temples they are home to. Rameshwaram can perfectly be named as an island of Lord Rama's temple in Tamil Nadu. Along with serving as a major pilgrimage for the Hindus, Rameshwaram doubles itself as a happening holiday destination too. Indian regional temples and its architecture are broadly divided into northern and southern styles, classified by the form and shape of the shikhara and the individuality of its decoration. ![]() Architecture in south Indian temples was the singular style that had matured in the Dravida Desam. The Vimana and the Gopurams are the distinguishing characteristics of the southern regional temple style in India. Vimana represents a soaring pyramidal tower, consisting of several progressively smaller storeys. The structure stands on a square base. The gopuram, on the other hand, has two storeys separated by a horizontal molding. The Prakara or the outer wall envelops the main shrine as well as the other smaller shrines and the tank. The Pallavas, the Cholas, the Pandyas, the Vijayanagara rulers and the Nayakas had all unanimously contributed to the southern style of temples. East India is known to proliferate in both natural and man-made riches; the region also mysteriously doubles up as a travelers' paradise. Indian regional temples have since time immemorial been redefined and cultured through the stellar presence of East Indian temples. A visit to the temples from this region lets one to soak soulfully in the unruffled atmosphere from the environs, where life is cultured and serenity pervades everywhere. Bodhi Temple, Lingaraja Temple, Jagannath Temple, Maha Bodhi Temple, Dakshineshwar Kali Temple are some of the few religious institutions that forever etches a place in memory lane. Due to their separate regional development, some portions of an East Indian temple bear a different nomenclature than what is used elsewhere in India. For instance, the part of the temple that contains the shrine is called a deul in Orissa, but a vimana everywhere else. East Indian temples valiantly integrate a northern-style tower, or rekha deul in the Orissan dialect, with a southern-styled hall. The pattern of the tower corresponds to the one from Khajuraho in the Deccan region, while its adjoining hall characteristically bears a pyramidal-shaped roof. That roof atop the hall is additionally sculpted in rows named pidha (also mentioned as "pida"). Above the pidha there can be witnessed a ghanta ("bell," named after its shape), the whole edifice being crested by a kalasha-type ("pot") finial. Indian regional temples complete the full square of maverick architecture and magnificence with West Indian temples at the forefront. Empowered with the inner eye for detailed decoration, passion for work and adulation for all things beauteous has helped West Indian sculptors to infuse life into lifeless stones and chisel masterpieces from them. There can be no superior way to prove the above statement than to pay a visit to the temple clusters in west India, where elaborately contrived columns and pillars of temples are ready to attest a trial. Magnificently chiseled temples are one of the prime attractions of this 'never-never land' that is nevertheless one of the major industrial regions of the country. Dwarka, Rukmini Temple, Dwarakadhisha Temple, Somnath Temple, Gujarat are some of the religious abodes that are most revered in west India. The temples constructed in western India within a crucial period of post-Christian era, signify one of the richest and most luxuriant evolutions of Indo-Aryan architectural style. ![]() |
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Indian Regional Temples