Hindu temple architecture features a variety of styles, evolving from rock-cut caves to structural temples, categorized as Nagara in the North and Dravidian in the South. Key architectural elements include the garbhagriha (sanctum), mandapa (entrance), shikhara/vimana (spire), and various symbolic components like amalaka and kalasa. The vahana represents the deity's vehicle, embodying important cultural and ritual significances within Hindu worship.

1. ELEMENTS OF HINDU
TEMPLE
G.LAHARI DEEPTHI
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2/5 B.ARCH

2. INTRODUCTION:
Hindu temple architecture as the main form of Hindu
architecture has many varieties of styles the form and
meanings of architectural elements in a Hindu temples are
designed to function as the place Hindu temple architecture
was a gradual evolution starting from rock cut cave temples to
monolithic rather which finally culminated in structural
temples .
North Indian temples are classified as Nagara style and
South Indian temples are classified as Dravidian style.

5. The basic form of a Hindu structural temple consists of the
following;
1.Garbhagriha
2.Mandapa
3.Shikara/Vimana
4.Amalaka
5.kalasa
6.Antarala
7.Jagati
8.Vahana

6. 1. Garbhagriha:
• It literally means ‘womb-house’ and is a cave like a sanctum.
• In the earliest temples, it was a small cubical structure with a
single entrance.
• Later it grew into a larger complex.
• The Garbhagriha is made to house the main icon which is
itself the focus of much ritual attention.

7. 2. Mandapa:
• It is the entrance to the temple.
• It may be a portico or colonnaded (series of columns placed at
regular intervals) hall that incorporates space for a large
number of worshippers.
• Dances and such other entertainments are practiced here.
• Some temples have multiple mandapas in different sizes
named as Ardhamandapa, Mandapa, and Mahamandapa.

8. 3. Shikhara/vimana:
• They are mountain like the spire of a free-standing temple.
• Shikhara is found in North Indian temples and Vimana is
found in South Indian temples.
• Shikhara has a curving shape while vimana has a pyramidal-
like structure.

9. 4. Amalaka:
• It is common in North Indian temples. An amalaka, is a
segmented or notched stone disk, usually with ridges on the
rim, that sits on the top of a Hindu temple's shikhara or main
tower. According to one interpretation, the amalaka
represents a lotus, and thus the symbolic seat for the deity
below.

10. 5.Kalasha:
• It is the topmost point of the temple and commonly seen in north Indian
temples. Hindu temples typically have Kalasam at the top of temple
towers. These Kalasams in the form of inverted pot, with pointed head
facing the sky, is one of the prominent symbol of temples. Periodic
renewal of temple is called Samprokshanam or Kumbhabishekam (held as
a festival) centers around Kalasams, when elaborate rituals are performed
along with renewing the temple's physical structures.
• Most Kalasams are made of metal and some of stone. View
of Gopuram (temple tower) is one of the important rituals of Hindu
worship along with view of Dwajasthambam or Kodimaram (temple flag
mast). These Gopurams were topped with ornamental Kalasams.

11. 6. Antarala:
• Antarala is a transition area or a small antechamber between
the Garbhagriha and temple’s main hall mandapa. Antarala
are commonly seen in chaukya style temples in which the
'Vimana' and the 'Mandapa' are connected through the
'Antarala'

12. 7. Jagati:
• In Hindu temple architecture,
the jagati is the raised surface of the
platform or terrace upon which
some Buddhist or Hindu temples are
built.
• This feature is seen in temples such as
the temples of Khajuraho. It is often
not seen in temples enclosed by walls.
• The jagati also allows for
ritual circumambulation, i.e. the
walking of devotees around the shrine,
which is important in both Buddhism
and Hinduism. In some large temples,
this circumambulation is also possible
inside the temple along a walled
passage around the shrine sanctum
named pradakshina.

13. 8. Vahana:
• Vahana denotes the being, typically an animal or mythical entity, a
particular Hindu deity is said to use as a vehicle. In this capacity, the
vahana is often called the deity's "mount. Deities are often depicted riding
(or simply mounted upon) the vahana. Other times, the vahana is depicted
at the deity's side or symbolically represented as a divine attribute. The
vahana may be considered an accoutrement of the deity: though the
vahana may act independently, they are still functionally emblematic or
even syntagmatic of their "rider". The deity may be seen sitting or
standing on the vahana. They may be sitting on a small platform called
a howdah, or riding on a saddle or bareback.Vahana in Sanskrit means to
ride along the land.

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