In pics: A temple run across South Asia’s marvels

In its 75th anniversary issue, art magazine Marg gives us a glimpse of the diverse and unique temples across South Asia to understand how these magnificent historical structures have shaped modern design sensibilities

(Photo courtesy: Robert E. Fisher)

The 8th century Pandrethan temple in Kashmir. Kashmiri builders used large stones to create their temples, with elements that were probably derived from the earlier Buddhist models. Some of the unique characteristics of the Kashmiri style were double-pent roofs and tri-lobed arches for entrances and sculptures.

(Photo courtesy: Clare Arni)

In the temples of south India, water plays an important role in rituals and tanks form an integral part of the architectural layout of the complex. Water bodies too, became centres of pilgrimage and were written into sacred texts. Seen here is the tank and shrine of Krishna Temple in Udupi, Karnataka.

(Photo courtesy: Edward Leland Rothfarb)

(Photo courtesy: Department of Archaeology, Sri Lanka)

Most of the shrines in Sri Lanka’s Polonnaruva are in state of disrepair. Only the walls of Shiva devale no. 2 (seen in picture) have inscriptions suggesting that it was created in honour of the chief queen of Rajaraja Chola I, Vanavan Mahadevi.

(Photo courtesy: Joseph St. Anne)

The Mahadeva temple, Tambdi Surla, is the oldest surviving 12th−13th century temple in Goa. Later, Goan temples went through three phases of changes, the Neo-Romanization (17th century), a synthesis of the Neo-Roman and Maratha motifs (18th–19th centuries) and a new decadent, contemporary Goan Hindu style (1850–1950).

(Photo courtesy: American Institute of Indian Studies)

The Maha-Gurjara style Shiva temple in Kotai, Gujarat (940–950 CE) was built when the Sama dynasty ruled from the late 9th century onwards. When Kutch became part of the Solanki kingdom, a new style emerged called the Maru-Gurjara style that integrated design elements from Maha-Maru tradition of Rajasthan.