Context: 

The Prime Minister (PM) recently visited some famous temples in India ahead of the Ram temple ‘Pran Pratishtha’ ceremony in Ayodhya.

• The Ram temple in Ayodhya inaugurated on January 22 has been designed in the Nagara style of temple architecture.

About Ayodhya Ram Temple

• Layout of Ram Temple: The Ram Temple is built over three 20-foot high floors each with a total of 392 pillars and 44 doors in the complex.
• Foundation of the Ram temple: It is built of a 14-metre-thick layer of roller-compacted concrete and a 21-foot-high granite plinth has been placed to protect against ground moisture.
• Iron has not  been used anywhere in the construction.
• Stones used in Ram Temple: Makrana Marble and Pink sandstone, granite stone,  and colored Marble.
• Sanctum Sanctorum (garbhagriha) of Ram Temple: Placed with the idol of Ram Lalla.
• Mandaps (halls) of Ram Temple: Nritya Mandap, Rang Mandap, Sabha Mandap, Prarthana Mandap and Kirtan Mandap.

Famous Temples in India Visited by The PM

• Ranganathaswamy Temple in Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu: 

• • Style of Architecture: It is one of the famous temples in India, Constructed in the Dravidian style of architecture.
  • Principal deity: The main deity worshipped is Sri Ranganatha Swamy, a reclining form of Bhagwaan Vishnu. 
    • It is counted as the first and foremost among the 108 Divya Desams dedicated to Bhagwan Vishnu.
  • Location:  It is situated on the island of Srirangam which is bounded by the two rivers of Cauvery and Kollidam (a tributary of Cauvery).

• Sri Arulmigu Ramanathaswamy Temple, Rameshwaram: 

• • Style of Architecture: It is one of the famous temples in India and It is Dravidian style temple and the temple complex is covered by a compound wall (thiru mathil). 
  • Principal Deity: The main deity worshipped in this temple is Sri Ramanathaswamy, which is a form of Bhagwan Shiva.  
  • Location: It is located in Rameshwaram, which is a small island connected to the mainland via Pamban Bridge.
  • Mythology: It is believed that the main lingam in this temple was installed and worshipped by Sri Rama and Mata Sita. 
  • It is one among the Char Dhams – Badrinath, Dwarka, Puri and Rameshwaram and is one of the twelve jyotirlinga temples in India.

• Shree Ramaswami Temple in Thriprayar, Kerala:

• • Style of Architecture: It is also one of the famous temples in India, and constructed in the Dravidian style of architecture.
  • Principal Deity: Thriprayar Ramaswamy Temple. also known as Triprayar Temple, is dedicated to Lord Rama. 
    • The image of Rama (Triprayar Thevar) resembles the Chaturbhuja Vishnu form with four arms, bearing a conch(Panchajanya), a disc (Sudarsana), a bow (Kodanda) and a garland respectively.
  • Location: It is located in Thrissur district of Kerela on the bank of river Theevra. 
    • Theevra river is also called Purayar. Hence, it got the name Thirupurayar (sacred river) and later became Triprayar.
  • Nalambala Dharshan: It is one of the four temples in the Nalambala Dharshan (four-temple pilgrimage) where devotees take a pilgrimage to four temples devoted to Rama, Lakshmana, Shatrughna and Bharatha during the month of Karkidakam, also known as month of Ramayana.
  • Mythology: It is believed that the idol kept at the Thriprayar temple was worshipped by Lord Krishna in Dwaraka. 
    • It was submerged in water when Dwaraka was flooded after Krishna’s death. The idol, which was found later, was consecrated at Thriprayar.

• Guruvayur Temple in Kerala:  

• • Style of Architecture: It is one of the famous temples in India, and It is blend of Kerala and Chola dynasty temple architecture.
  • Location: Located in the Guruyaur Town in Thrissur district, the temple is also known as the Dwarka (birth place of Lord Krishna) of the South.
  • Principal Deity: The temple, dedicated to Lord Vishnu and the young form of Lord Krishna, is also known as Guruvayur Sree Krishna Temple. The temple is therefore also called Guruvayur Sri Krishna temple. 
    • The Guruvayoor form of Lord Vishnu has four arms. One has the conch Panchajanya, another has a discus Sudarshana Chakra, the third one has the mace Kaumodaki and the fourth is holding a lotus with a Holy basil garland.
  • Elephant Festival: The temple is also known for its elephant festival where magnificently dressed elephants are paraded for various performances.
    • The temple is home to a large population of captive male Asian elephants.
    • The Punnathur Kotta elephant sanctuary is located nearby the temple.

• Kothandaramaswamy Temple in Dhanushkodi (Tamil Nadu): 

• • Principal Deity: It is also one of the famous temples in India and is dedicated to Sri Kothandarama Swamy. The name Kothandarama means Rama with the bow. 
  • Location: It is located in Dhanushkodi. on Rameswaram Island at a distance of 12 km from Rameshwaram’s main town.
  • Mythology: It is believed that Ravana’s brother Vibhishana first met Lord Ram and sought refuge here.

• Veerabhadra Temple, Lepakshi, Andhra Pradesh:

• • Principal Deity: Veerabhadra Temple is one of the famous temples in India and is dedicated to the Virabhadra, a fierce incarnation of Lord Shiva.
  • Location: The Veerabhadra Temple, also known as the Lepakshi Temple, is located in Andhra Pradesh’s Lepakshi. 
  • Temple Construction: The temple was built in 1533 AD by Virupanna Nayaka and Vienna, who were governors under the Vijayanagar empire during the reign of king Achutaraya. 
  • Fresco Painting: It is famous for frescoes and murals. There is a fresco of the fourteen avatars of Lord Shiva (one of them being Veerabhadra) on the ceiling. 
  • Nandi Bull: Nandi is a gigantic bull sculpture carved out of a huge granitic rock.  
    • It is located about 200 meters away from the temple. It is carved from a single block of stone. 
  • Association with Ramayana: The temple is closely associated with the Ramayana. It is believed that the bird Jatayu, fell at the place after being fatally wounded by Ravan.
  • It has been placed on the tentative list of the World Heritage Committee.

• Kalaram Temple, Nasik (Maharashtra): 

• • Principal deity: The Kalaram temple is one of the famous temples in India and its name derives from a black statue of the Lord — Kala Ram.
    • The sanctum sanctorum has statues of Ram, Sita, and Lakshman, and a black idol of Hanuman at the main entrance.
  • Location: It is situated on the banks of the Godavari river in the Panchavati area of the city.
    • The name Panchavati comes from the existence of five banyan trees in the area. 
  • Built by: The Temple was built in 1792 by Sardar Rangarao Odheka.
  • Mythology: It is believed that  Lord Ram lived in Panchavati.
  • Place of Dalit Satyagraha: In 1930, B R Ambedkar and the Marathi teacher and social activist Pandurang Sadashiv Sane, known as Sane Guruji, led an agitation to demand access for Dalits to Hindu temples.

Temple Architecture in India

Three Main Temple Architecture Found in India, Which are;

• Nagara Style
• Dravida Style
• Vesara Style

Nagara Style or North Indian Temple Style

This architectural style of temples gained popularity in northern India around the fifth century CE, during the late Gupta period. Its features include: 

• Raised Stone Platform: These were constructed on a stone platform with steps leading up to it. 
• Lack of Boundary Walls or Gateways: Usually, they do not have elaborate boundary walls or gateways.
• Sanctum (Garbhagriha): Initially a small cubicle with a single entrance, the sanctum evolved into a larger chamber over time. It is designed to house the main icon. 
• Entrance (Mandapa): The entrance to the temple, whether a portico or collonaded hall, serves as a space for accommodating many worshippers.
• Shikhar: The temples used to have mountain-like spires, which can take the shape of a curving shikhar. 
  • The vertical end of the shikhara ended in a horizontal fluted disc, known as amalaka. On the top of that, a spherical shaped structure called Kalash is placed.
  • Example: Dashavatara temple, Deogarh

The Dravida Style or South Indian Temple Style

These  In South India, the most famous temples are built in the Dravidian style characterized by stone structures, towering spires, intricate sculptures, and detailed inscriptions.  Its features include: 

• Gopurams: The frontal wall features a central entrance gateway, commonly known as a gopuram. 
• Compund Walls: In contrast to the nagara temple, the dravida temple is surrounded by a compound wall. 
• Water Tanks: Temple complexes often include large water reservoirs or temple tanks.
• Vimana: The main temple tower, referred to as vimana in Tamil Nadu, has a stepped pyramid shape that ascends geometrically, distinct from the curving shikhara seen in North Indian temples.

• Shikhar: In South Indian temples, the term ‘shikhara’ is specifically used for the crowning element at the pinnacle of the temple. 
  • This element is typically shaped like a small stupika or an octagonal cupola, equivalent to the amlak and kalasha found in North Indian temples.
• Temple Shapes: Dravida temples are categorised into five shapes: Square (kuta or caturasra), Rectangular (shala or ayatasra), Elliptical (gaja-prishta or vrittayata), Circular (vritta), and Octagonal (ashtasra). 
• Example:  Gangaikondacholapuram temple

Vesara Style

Vesara style temple architecture in the Deccan region, particularly in Karnataka, is known as the Vesara style. It exhibits a blend of North and South Indian influences. Important features include: 

• Open ambulatory passageway with pillars, doorways and ceilings decorated with intricate carvings. 
• Dravidian influence is seen in intricate carvings and sculptures. 
• Nagara influence is seen in the curvilinear shikhara and the square base of temples.
• Example:  Virupaksha temple, Pattadakal

Major UNESCO Temples in India: List

Also Read: Jagannath Temple Beautification Project

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