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Early Temples in India
Early Temples in India
In the early part of the Vedic era there is no clear mention of temples. All worship and rituals were
carried out before the holy fire, called the ‘yajnas’. However, in the later period of the Vedas,
along with the ceremonial fire, idol worship also began to be practiced. These idols were housed
in very elementary dwellings. The very first temples may have been simple earth mounds, later
substituted by brickwork with grass roofs.
Early temples found in India before the distinctive styles emerged can be classified into following
three types:
- Sandhara type (without Pradikshinapatha)
- Nirandhara type (with Pradakshinapatha) and
- Sarvatobhadra (which can be accessed from all sides)
Some of the important temple sites of this period are Deogarh in Uttar Pradesh, Eran,
Nachna-Kuthara and Udaygiri near Vidisha in Madhya Pradesh. These temples are simple
structures consisting of a veranda, a hall and a shrine at the rear.