Temples in India are usually are elaborate structures, be it scale, ornamentation or both. We don’t find intact temples predating the Gupta period probably because the modes of worship were different than or temples were built either from perishable materials. Considering the heights temple architecture later achieved, it is difficult to imagine the simplicity of the earliest shrines but couched in that apparent simplicity are the basic elements that dene the elaborate temples of the later, medieval period. Let us explore some of the earliest temples in the country and see how temple architecture evolved.
SHRI KRISHNA JANMASTHAN TEMPLE - Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, India - 6th Century B.C.
The Krishna Janmasthan Temple Complex is a group of Hindu temples where Lord Shri Krishna manifested Himself in the prison-house of the cruel king Kansa and set free his father Vasudeva and his mother Devaki. The place has held religious significance since the 6th century BC. The temples were destroyed multiple times throughout history, most recently by the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb in 1670. He erected a mosque Eidgah there which still stands. Adjacent to the entrance of the prison cell stands the temple where Ashtabhuja Maa Yogmaya manifested. The reconstruction of the temple complex was started in October 1953 with leveling of lands and completed in February 1982.
Shri Krishna Janmasthan Temple
KAUSHAMBI BUDDHIST SITE - Kaushambi, Uttar Pradesh, India - 6th Century B.C.
During Buddha's time, Kaushambi was one of the six most important and prosperous towns of India. It was a nerve center of ancient Indian communications as the principal routes from north to south and east to west met at the city. It was a terminus of river traffic and an important emporium of Madhyadesa. Being an important pilgrimage center for the Buddhists, Kaushambi boasts of several landmarks associated with Lord Buddha. Excavations carried out at Old Kaushambi have unearthed Ashoka Pillar and the Ghoshit Ram Monastery along with several other monuments. Excavations have suggested that the site may have been occupied as early as the 12th century B.C.E.
ULIYANNOOR SRI MAHADEVA TEMPLE - Uliyannoor, Aluva, Kerala, India - 5th Century B.C.
Uliyannur Sree Mahadeva Temple is also known as Uliyannur Madathilappan Mahadeva Temple, designed and constructed by the well-known architect Sri Uliyannur Perumthachan. The old temple consecrated by Parasurama in BC 525 can be seen at a distance of about 20 meters. The Uliyannoor Temple was built in strict respect of the traditional heritage and the Garbhagriha of this temple has a circumference of 42 meters adorned with the goodness of Perunthachan architecture.
Uliyannoor Sri Mahadeva Temple
MUKTESHWAR MAHADEV TEMPLE - Doongh, Pathankot, Punjab, India - 5th Century B.C.
Mukteshwar Mahadev Temple is believed to have been built by the Pandavas during their exile. These are 5500-year-old caves and served as home to the Pandavas as they rested and took shelter over here during their exile. It was during their Agyatvas that they stayed in these caves for six months. This place is also known as Mini Haridwar. Those people who can not do ash immersion of their kin at Haridwar, they flow it in Ravi River at Mukteshwar Mahadev Temple.
KARTIKEYA TEMPLE - Pehowa, Kurukshetra, Haryana, India - 5th Century B.C.
Kartikeya Temple in Pehowa township of Haryana is an ancient structure dating back to the 5th century B.C. It was here that the Pandavas along with Krishna prayed to Shiva and received his blessings for victory in the battle of Mahabharata. The temple of Sthaneshwar is the abode of Lord Shiva and this town served as the capital of Emperor Harshavardhana. The ninth Guru, Shri Tegh Bahadur stayed at a spot near the Sthaneshwar Tirtha that is marked by a gurdwara just beside this temple. Legend has it that, a few drops of water from the tank adjoining the temple are holy and cured the King Ban of leprosy.
SHREE BHADRESHWAR JAIN TEMPLE - Bhadreshwar, Mandvi, Gujarat, India - 5th Century B.C.
Shree Bhadreshwar Jain Temple is a Jain temple situated at Bhadreshwar village, historians say that the Bhadreshwar was founded in 516 BC. The temple is said to be first renovated by King Sidhsen of Bhadrawati in 449 B.C . and in the year 1125, the temple was renovated extensively by Jagdusha. It is said a Jain layman named Devchandra laid the foundation stone of this temple centuries ago. According to legend, the foundation stone of this temple was laid down by a Jain layman named Devchandra, centuries ago, about 45 years after the death of Lord Mahavir. The temple has been destroyed many times due to earthquakes of 1819, 1844, 1875, and 2001 but the chronicles of Mistris of Kutch renovated it every time.
NISHKALANK MAHADEV TEMPLE - Koliyak, Bhavnagar, Gujarat, India - 5th Century B.C.
Nishkalank Mahadev Temple has 5 distinct swayambhu Shiva lingams on a square platform and each is having a Nandi statue facing it. This temple is submerged during high tides in the sea and emerges during low tides to reveal itself majestically, promising its devotees to wash away all sins. According to historians, the temple was built by the Pandavas after the Kurukshetra War. The temple was built with special care to withstand high tides and is truly an architectural marvel. The structure truly remains a mystery to modern engineers and technology experts.
VASHISHT TEMPLE - Vashist, Manali, Himachal Pradesh, India - 4th Century B.C.
Vashisht Temple is said to be over 4,000 years old, this temple is dedicated to sage Vashisth (Vashisht). This beautiful village is famous for its sulfurous hot water springs and Vashisht temple, built just next to the springs. The water from this spring is believed to have great healing powers, which can cure many skin diseases and other infections. The temple is dedicated to the Indian sage Manu, who is said to be the creator of the world and the writer of Manusmriti. There is no actual evidence when the temple was constructed but in 1992 it was reconstructed.
SRI KAKULANDHRA MAHAVISHNU TEMPLE - Srikakulam Village, Ghantasala, Andhra Pradesh, India - 3rd Century B.C.
The Sri Kakulandhra Mahavishnu temple dedicated to the lord Mahavishnu for several ages. It could have been built in the 2nd or 3 rd century BC. This temple may have been around since the Satavahana ruler’s time however it is believed that AndhraVishnu ruled even before them. As many as 32 inscriptions, including those issued by Krishnadevaraya, appear on the walls of the temple. The presiding deity has some striking peculiarities, as the deity holds a sankha in the right hand and a chakra in the left hand as against the usual practice of vice versa.
Sri Kakulandhra Mahavishnu Temple
MARKANDESHWAR MAHADEV TEMPLE - Shahbad, Kurukshetra, Haryana, India - 3rd Century B.C.
The Markandeshwar Mahadev temple is a Shiva temple located in the town of Shahabad Markanda, which is situated in the Kurukshetra. The original temple dates back to pre-Mahabharat times and the current structure was built in the early 20th century. The walls of the temple depict a scene of Lord Shiva saving the child Markandeya from Yama, the Lord of death. The wooden carved walls with a wooden door opens to the inner sanctum which has a Shiv Lingam, idols of Lord Shiva, and young Markandeya.
MONOLITH OF LORD GOMATESHWARA TEMPLE - Channarayapatna, Karnataka, India - 3rd Century B.C.
Gommateshwara statue is one of the largest free-standing statues in the world which was built around 983 C.E. The construction of the statue was commissioned by the Ganga dynasty minister and commander, Chavundaraya. Neighboring areas have Jain temples known as basadis and several images of the Tirthankaras. The Gomateshwara statue is the tallest monolithic statue in the world, carved out of a single block of granite. It is 57-foot high monolithic and located on Vindyagiri at Shravanbelagola in the Indian state of Karnataka.
Sharavanabelagola Gomateshwara Temple
SHANKARACHARYA TEMPLE - Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir, India - 3rd Century B.C.
The Shankaracharya Temple is also known as the Jyeshteshwara Temple. Juluka, the son of Emperor Ashoka had built this Shankaracharya Temple around 200 BC. Nestled at an elevation of 1100 feet, the temple is one of the famous sacred sites in Srinagar. The shrine may date to c. 200 BCE although the present structure probably dates to the 9th century AD. It was visited by Adi Shankara and has ever since been associated with him; this is how the temple got the name Shankaracharya. It is also regarded as sacred by Buddhists. The temple is mentioned in Rajatarangini as Jyestheshvara Temple, written by Kalhana.
SHRI SHANKARI DEVI TEMPLE - Trincomalee, Eastern Province, Sri Lanka - 3rd Century B.C.
Koneswaram was likely founded before 400 B.C by construction time of Koneswaram has been estimated by comparison between carved reliefs on the temple's ruins, literature on the shrine, and the inscriptions. The temple of Sankari Devi which was exactly at the top of a hill was ruined by foreign invaders, However, Amma’s idol is said to have been preserved in the present temple, which is next to where the idol originally stood. The famous Bilva tree stands just on the edge of the hill a few hundred meters above the Indian Ocean.
MAHAPARINIRVANA STUPA - Kushinagar, Uttar Pradesh, India - 3rd Century B.C.
It is an important Buddhist pilgrimage site, where Buddhists believe Gautama Buddha attained Parinirvana after his death. The present temple was built by the Indian Government in 1956 as part of the commemoration of the 2,500th year of the Mahaparinivana or 2500 BE (Buddhist Era). Inside this temple, there is a Reclining Buddha image lying on its right side with the head to the north. The statue is 6.1 m long and rests on a stone couch.
BODHIKONDA & GURABAKTA KONDA ROCK CUT MONASTERY - Ramateertham, Gorlapeta, Nellimarla, Andhra Pradesh, India - 3rd Century B.C.
The complex is one of the biggest marks of evidence that talk about the rich history of Buddhism. At Ramateertham there are three lines of hills standing parallel east and west, and each separated from the other by a narrow valley. The southernmost is known as the Bodhikonda, and on it are the spots connected with Rama, and Jaina remains consisting of natural caves, rock art, images, and a ruined Jain brick temple towards the south west of the hill. The central hill is known as the Gurabaktakonda (Gurubhakthulakonda) and it is high up on its northern side that the ruined Buddhist monastery stands. The temple and village at the base of a chain of hills of solid rock on which are some perennial springs of water, and various places each in a way associated with the name of Rama. The Jains have also had a residence here, their remains consisting chiefly of natural caves with slab sculptures set in them, and some small ruined brick temples.
Bodhikonda & Gurabakta Konda Rockcut Monastery
VAISHALI BUDDHIST SANCTUARY - Kolhua, Vaishali, Bihar, India - 3rd Century B.C.
Lord Buddha visited Vaishali frequently and at Kolhua, close by, preached his last sermon. To commemorate the event, Emperor Ashoka, in the third century B.C. erected one of his famous lion pillars here. A hundred years after the Mahaparinirvana of the Buddha - Vaishali hosted the second great Buddhist council. Two stupas were erected to commemorate this event. Jainism, too, has its origins in Vaishali, for in 527 B.C. Vaishali is then twice blessed and remains an important pilgrim center for both Buddhists and Jains, attracting also historians foraging for the past. Historians maintain that one of the world's first democratic republics with an elected assembly of representatives flourished here in the 6th century B.C. in the time of the Vajjis and the Lichchavis.
SARNATH BUDDHIST TEMPLE - Sarnath, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India - 3rd Century B.C.
Sarnath, formerly known as Isipatana, is famous as the site where Gautama Buddha first taught the Dharma, or where Buddha preached his first sermon. It is also the place where the original Sangha was formed and the site contains a stupa (shrine) and the famous lion-capital memorial pillar, which was erected by the 3rd-century-BCE Mauryan emperor Ashoka. This dates from around 200 BC and is the spot where the Buddha is said to have preached his first sermon.
SANCHI BUDDHIST MONUMENTS - Sanchi, Vidisha, Raisen, Madhya Pradesh, India - 3rd Century B.C.
Sanchi Stupa is a Buddhist complex, famous for its Great Stupa, on a hilltop at Sanchi Town. It has been suggested that Pushyamitra may have destroyed the original stupa, and his son Agnimitra rebuilt it. The original brick stupa was covered with stone during the Shunga period. It is one of the oldest Buddhist monuments in the country and the largest stupa at the site. The Great Stupa at Sanchi, India. The Great Stupa was originally built in the 3rd century BC by the Mauryan emperor Ashoka and is believed to house the ashes of the Buddha.
SWAMIMALAI SWAMINATHAN SWAMY TEMPLE - Swamimalai, Thanjavur, Tamilnadu, India - 2nd Century B.C.
Swamimalai is one of the Arupadaiveedu, believed to be the six main abodes of Muruga, that mark the different phases of his life. The temple of Swaminathan is a very ancient one and it is known to have existed even in the 2 nd century B.C and it is said that Parantaka Chola-I built the temple. The temple was damaged to a great extent and the Gopurams were demolished and razed to the ground in the year 1740 when the Anglo-French War was waged later when war broke out between Hyder Ali and the British.
Swamimalai Swaminatha Swamy Temple
THOTLAKONDA ANCIENT BUDDHIST MONASTERY - Thotlakonda, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India - 2nd Century B.C.
Mahastupa of the Buddhist heritage site of Thotlakonda is 2000 years old monastic complex with remnants of stupas, chaitya grihas, and viharas atop Thotlakonda Hill, Andhra Pradesh. The Buddhist monks arriving from places like China, Burma, and many other countries used to stay at this site for months before finishing their learning. Thotlakonda's peak activity was between the 2nd century BCE and the 2nd century CE owing to brisk Roman trade and religious missions sent abroad. This was reconstructed in 2016 by the State Archaeology department, collapsed recently.
Thotlakonda Ancient Buddhist Monastery
BHAJA CAVES - Bhaja, Lonavla, Pune, Maharashtra, India - 2nd Century B.C.
Bhaja Caves or Bhaje caves are a group of 22 rock-cut caves dating back to the 2nd century BC. The caves are 400 feet above the village of Bhaja on an ancient trade route, which extends from the eastern side of the Arabian Sea towards the Deccan. The Bhaja Caves are similar to the Karla Caves in style and architectural designs. The most prominent among the excavations is the chaityagriha (Cave 12) which is considered to be the earliest of its kind. It consists of a large apsidal hall and is divided into a central nave and side aisles by 27 pillars.
KARLA BUDDHA CAVES - Karla, Lonavla, Pune, Maharashtra, India - 2nd Century B.C.
The Karla complex consists of 16 rock-cut excavations of which cave 8 is the chaityagriha. These caves were developed over two periods - from 2nd century BC to 2nd Century AD and in 5th - 10th Century AD. The oldest of the cave shrines is believed to date back to 160 BC, having arisen near a major ancient trade route, running eastward from the Arabian Sea into the Deccan. Karla is one of the most famous centers of early rock-cut architecture in India and these caves are excavated nearly 100 m on a high spur of the chain of hills on the north flank of the Indrayani valley and the grand chaityagriha of Karla is the grandest and the largest of all the chaityagrihas of India.
AJANTA CAVES - Ajanta, Aurangabad, Maharashtra, India - 2nd Century B.C.
The Ajanta Caves are approximately 30 rock-cut Buddhist cave monuments which date from the 2nd century BCE to about 480 CE. The caves were built in two phases, the first starting around the 2nd century BCE and the second occurring from 400–650 CE, according to older accounts. Some caves were built during 757-783 AD by Krishna I who was the uncle of Dantidurga. Buddha caves were built during the 6th to 8th century in the Kalachuris period, the Hindu Caves were built in two phases. Caves 14, 15, 16 were built in the Rashtrakuta period. The caves include paintings and rock-cut sculptures described as among the finest surviving examples of ancient Indian art, particularly expressive paintings that present emotions through gesture, pose, and form.
SANKASSA BUDDHIST SITE - Sankassa, Farrukhabad, Uttar Pradesh, India - 2nd Century B.C.
Sankassa is the site where Buddha descended from Heaven after preaching the Abhidhamma Pitaka in Tavatimsa, following the performance of the Twin Miracle under the Gandamba tree and is an ancient significant pilgrimage site with a superb collection of Buddhist monuments dating back to 2000 years old. Currently, it has ruins of old monasteries and Buddhist monuments and received its fame from statements and claims recorded in the ancient commentaries to the Tipitaka. Sankissa is now identified with Sankisa Basantapura on the north bank of the Ikkhumati river.
SRI PARASURAMESWARA TEMPLE - Gudimallam, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, India - 1st Century B.C.
Sri Parasurameswara Temple is built on the banks of the Suvaranamukhi river and is supposed to be the oldest Shiva Linga discovered so far and it has been assigned to the 2nd or 1st century BC. The Black and Redware sherds of the 2nd or 3rd century AD have been brought to light during excavations conducted here in 1973. Potsherds of the Andhra Satavahana period (Circa 1st century AD to 2nd century AD) and large-sized bricks of the same period have also been found.
SRI DWARKADHISH TEMPLE - Dwarka, Gujarat, India - 1st Century B.C.
Dwarkadhish temple stands almost on the western tip of India where the River Gomti meets the Arabian sea. This temple is said is 5244 years old, built by Vajranabh, the great-grandson of Sri Krishna. The current structure is an amalgamation of parts that spread over a few centuries from 8th to 18th CE. This is where the Hari Griha or the home of the Hari or Krishna once stood, making this land holy.
SHRI EKVIRA DEVI TEMPLE - Amravati, Maharashtra, India - 1st Century B.C.
In Hinduism Goddess Ekvira also worshipped as Renuka in different parts of India and Nepal is the mother of Chiranjivi or immortal sage Parashurama. However, the carbon dating states that the shrines were developed over two periods – from the 2nd century BC to the 2nd century AD, and from the 5th century AD to the 10th century. Legend. According to the legend, this temple was constructed by the Pandavas during their exile in the forest (araṇyavÄsam).
Shri Ambadevi Temple & Shri Ekvira Devi Temple
SHANKARACHARYA TEMPLE - Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India - 371 B.C.
The Shankaracharya Temple is also known as the Jyeshteshwara Temple is situated on top of the Shankaracharya Hill on the Zabarwan Range dedicated to Lord Shiva. According to beliefs, the temple dates back to the era of King Sandiman (2629 - 2564 BC), who built it. In those times, it enshrined 300 idols that were made of pure gold and silver. It was extensively renovated by King Gopadittya in around 1368 BC and later, by King Sandimati (34 BC-AD 13). Although the present structure probably dates to the 9th century AD. It was visited by Adi Shankara and has ever since been associated with him; this is how the temple got the name Shankaracharya. It is also regarded as sacred by Buddhists and is mentioned in Rajatarangini as Jyestheshvara Temple, written by Kalhana.
WANGATH TEMPLE/NARANAG TEMPLE COMPLEX - Ganderbal, Jammu and Kashmir - 51 B.C.
Naranag Temple Complex/Wangath Temple complex is a group of monuments in Wangath, close to Naranag. Ashoka son Jaluka, 220 BC, built these Shaivite temples in three groups, around the same time as the Shankaracharya Temple in Srinagar. Lalitaditya Muktapida (713-735 AD) donated a good sum of money to the shrine after his victorious expedition. King Avantivarman (855-883 AD) built a stone pedestal with a silver conduit at this shrine for the bathing of sacred images. Kalhana's father Canpaka and uncle Kanka also frequented the site. Each group is enclosed by a separate stone wall, and lies a short distance from one another, and was constructed of local grey granite. The current structure was built by Lalitaditya Muktapida of the Karkota dynasty in the 8th century AD.
MANSEHRA SHIVA TEMPLE - Chitti Gatti, Mansehra, Pakistan - 2nd to 1st century B.C.
Mansehra Shiv Temple is one of the oldest Hindu temples in Pakistan that is still in existence which is at least 2000 to 3000 years old. The temple was restored in the 1830s by the Raja of Jammu as an act of devotion. During 1947–48, the temple was forcibly seized by some people and started occupying illegally.
MUNDESHWARI TEMPLE - Bhabua, Kaimur, Bihar, India
Mundeshwari Temple in Bihar is one of The Oldest Temples in India. This temple is located on the summit of Piwara hill, with a height of about 600 feet. The temple was built in 3-4 BC with the presiding deity as Narayana (Vishnu). The temple, built of stone, is on an octagonal plan which is rare. It is the earliest specimen of the Nagara style of temple architecture in Bihar. There are doors or windows on four sides and small niches for the reception of statues in the remaining four walls.
SREE VALLABHA TEMPLE - Thiruvalla, Kerala, India - 57 B.C.E.
The temple is noted for its beautiful wooden carvings and intricate mural paintings. It is considered to be the vallabha kshethram mentioned in Garuda Purana and Matsya Purana. It is surrounded by a 12 feet tall, 566 feet long and 4.5 feet thick red granite compound wall, and has a two-storeyed gopuram (temple tower) on each side, believed to have been built in 57 BCE by Uliyannoor Perumthachan, the architectural legend.
BHAJA CAVES - Bhaja, Lonavla, Pune, Maharashtra, India - 2nd century B.C.
Bhaja Caves is a group of 22 rock-cut caves dating back to the 2nd century BC built by the Hinayana sect of Buddhism. The Bhaja Caves share architectural design with the Karla Caves. The most impressive monument is the large shrine — chaityagriha — with an open, horseshoe-arched entrance. Chaitygraha has some Buddha images. A cistern inscription shows the name of a donor, Maharathi Kosikiputa Vihnudata, from the 2nd century AD. A wooden beam records two more inscriptions datable to the 2nd century B.C., which indicates caves have been there for at least 2200 years.
