What is Temple architecture style?

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.

Where is Temple architecture style architecture found?

Temple architecture style architecture is primarily found in India, Pan-Indian. There are 12 heritage sites documented with this architectural style.

When was Temple architecture style architecture used?

Temple architecture style architecture was used during Ancient, Medieval, Early Modern, Ancient to present, Ancient to contemporary, Ancient to Present, Ancient to pre-modern, Ancient times onwards. It is associated with the Various, Various dynasties and kingdoms dynasty/period.

What materials are used in Temple architecture style architecture?

Temple architecture style architecture typically uses Stone, Brick, Wood, Timber. These materials are characteristic of this architectural style and reflect the construction techniques of the period.

Which heritage sites use Temple architecture style architecture?

There are 12 heritage sites documented with Temple architecture style architecture. You can explore these sites on the Inheritage Foundation website.

Temple architecture style | Inheritage Foundation Art & Architecture Thesaurus | Inheritage Foundation

Title	Temple architecture style 4.5/5(Based on 12 heritage sites) Uncommon 4.5/5(Based on 12 heritage sites)
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://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

View on Wikidata

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%

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.

Temple architecture style

External References

Regions

Historical Context

Sacred Context

Architectural Details

Keywords

Recommended Sources

Heritage Sites (12)

See Also

Related Materials

Related Features

How to Identify Temple architecture style

Frequently Asked Questions