Architecture styles

here are many ancient temples in India with historical and  architectural
significance. Most of these temples were erected by the  reigning kings or
princes during their rule in the medieval era. These  temples are the symbolic
evidence of the reigning king’s power and  richness, and his devotion.  These
temples depict the culture and  heritage of the ancient history with their
architecture, type of  material used, design, and the style.


Hindu temples are generally divided into four architectural styles;
Dravida style of South India, Nagara style of
North India,  the Vesara style (mixed style of Nagara and
Dravida) of Deccan and central parts of South East Asia, and the
Kalinga architecture (e.g. Orissa temples).


Every Hindu temple has an altar. The designs of the temples depend on its
architectural style. In the South Indian temples each God have
his or her shrine, contained in a miniature  house. The shrines have curtains
hung over the entrances, and wooden  doors which are shut at night or during
rest period.


North Indian temples have one main altar in the  front of
the temple room. In some temples the front of the room is  separated with walls
and several altars are placed in the alcoves. The  statues on the altars are
usually placed in pairs (e.g. Radha-Krishna,  Ram-Sita, Shiva-Parvati). However
some Gods such as Ganesha and Hanuman  are placed alone.


The Kalinga architectural style temples belong to  the
eastern part of India (the region Kalinga in the state of Orissa).  This
architectural style consists of three distinct types of temples.  They are Rekha
Deula, Pidha Deula, and Khakhara Deula. The first two  types are associated with
Vishnu, Shiva and Surya temples, while the  last one is associated with Chamunda
and Durga temples. The Rekha and  Khakhara Deula constitute the inner sanctorum,
while the Pidha Deula  constitutes the outer dancing and offering halls.


The temples have dedicated priests to perform rituals and offerings.  The
priests perform rituals twice daily.  Some of the common priests’ chores other
than performing puja includes, bathing the temple deities,  changing their
clothes, adorning the deities with jewels flowers, etc.  These priests are paid
by the temple organizations and also by wealthy  followers.


There are some customs and rituals that every Hindu worshipper should follow
while visiting the temple. One must never wear shoes inside the  temple
premises. Before entering the temple premises one must wash their hands and
feet.  Worshippers usually bring in symbolic offerings for  prayer and puja like
flowers, sweets, fruits, etc. After they attend the puja (ceremony) they are
offered with prasads (offerings made to God  like flowers, sweets, fruits
etc).


The Hindus visit temples to pray and fulfill their wishes. The Hindus always
visit temples during auspicious events or ceremonies. Hindu  marriages are held
in temples, where the rituals are performed by the  priests. The Hindus believe
that if they surrender their sorrows, sins  and wishes to the Hindu deities by
performing pujas at the temple they  will achieve moksha (liberation from
worldly desires and sins).


Some of the local bay area temples are