Types of Temple Architecture
Temple Type↕ | Religion↕ | Region↕ | Iconic Example↕ | Known For↕ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Nagara (North Indian Hindu) | Hinduism | North India | Kandariya Mahadeva, Khajuraho | Curvilinear shikhara tower, square sanctum, beehive profile |
Dravida (South Indian Hindu) | Hinduism | South India | Brihadeeswarar Temple, Thanjavur | Pyramidal vimana, gopuram gateway towers, enclosed compounds |
Vesara (Deccan Hindu) | Hinduism | Karnataka | Hoysaleswara Temple, Halebidu | Star-shaped plan, Hoysala carved soapstone, blend of Nagara and Dravida |
Stupa | Buddhism | India, Sri Lanka, Nepal | Sanchi Stupa | Hemispherical relic mound, harmika and chhatra, circumambulation path |
Pagoda | Buddhism | East Asia | Horyu-ji Pagoda, Japan | Multi-tiered tower evolved from stupa, upturned eaves, central pillar |
Prasat (Khmer) | Hinduism/Buddhism | Cambodia, Thailand | Angkor Wat | Stepped pyramid representing Mount Meru, five-tower quincunx, sandstone reliefs |
Greek Peripteral Temple | Ancient Greek polytheism | Greece, Magna Graecia | Parthenon, Athens | Rectangular cella surrounded by single row of columns, Doric/Ionic/Corinthian orders |
Roman Pseudo-peripteral | Roman polytheism | Roman Empire | Maison Carree, Nimes | Front porch columns with engaged columns on sides, high podium, frontal emphasis |
Egyptian Pylon Temple | Ancient Egyptian | Egypt | Karnak Temple, Luxor | Massive sloping pylon gates, hypostyle halls, obelisks, axial plan to sanctuary |
Mesoamerican Pyramid Temple | Aztec, Maya | Mexico, Guatemala | Temple of Kukulcan, Chichen Itza | Stepped pyramid with summit shrine, serpent balustrades, astronomical alignment |
Sikh Gurdwara | Sikhism | Punjab, worldwide | Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple) | Gold-plated domes, sarovar water tank, four entrances for all castes |
Jain Derasar | Jainism | India | Dilwara Temples, Mount Abu | Intricate white marble carvings, lotus ceilings, tirthankara idols |
Chinese Temple Hall | Buddhism/Taoism | China | Temple of Heaven, Beijing | Wooden bracket (dougong) construction, glazed tile roofs, courtyard axial plan |
Ziggurat | Mesopotamian polytheism | Mesopotamia | Great Ziggurat of Ur | Stepped mud-brick platform temple, shrine on top, ramps, Sumerian origin |
Shinto Shrine (Jinja) | Shinto | Japan | Ise Grand Shrine | Torii gate, unpainted cypress, thatched roofs, rebuilt periodically |
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