Early hindu architecture 
ABSTRACT
This lecture discusses the elements of the Hindu temple, the various ritual practices that it defines, and its relationship to the image of a sacred landscape. It looks in particular at Descent of the Ganges at Mahabalipuram (700) and the Pancha Rathas or Five Rathas (630–680 CE), both of which played a formative role in the development of Hindu architecture.

KEY PEOPLES AND EMPIRES
•	Rashtrakuta Dynasty (west and central India: 750-980)
•	Pallavas (southern India: ca. 570-750)
•	Chola (southern India from the later half of the 9th century till the beginning of the 13th century)
•	Kingdom of Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka (the 8th century -1310)

KEY CONCEPTS
•	Aarti Ceremony
•	Brahma, Vishnu, Schiva
•	Mount Kailesh/Meru
•	Sacred Mountain
•	Sacred Lake
•	Sacred River (Ganges)
•	Shikhara
•	Epiphany
•	Puja
•	Tilak
•	Tantra
•	Elements of Hindu Architecture:
garbha griha
lingam and yoni
window of appearance
mandapa
Sacred Geometry/Sacred model
•	Indianization

KEY PLACES
•	Descent of the Ganges at Mahabalipuram (700)
•	Pancha Rathas or Five Rathas (630–680 AD; 
•	Shore temple at Mahabalipuram (700)
•	Temple of Artemis at Ephesus, ca. 330 BCE
•	Temple of Kailasnath, Ellora (850)
•	Khandariya Mahadeva (1050)

NOTES ON SELECT TERMS 
Hinduism
Hinduism is formed of diverse traditions and has no single founder. It is constructed around a series of mythological figures and tales representing a variety of human conditions. 
The three most important figures are: Brama (Creator of all); Vishnu (Preserver) and Shiva (Destroyer). All of these deities, however, have a complex and even contradictory set of associations.
In India, between 400 BCE and 1000 CE, Hinduism expanded at the expense of Buddhism. The transition was for the large part peaceful in that aspects of Buddhism were incorporated into Hindu beliefs.

Hindu beliefs span monotheism, polytheism, panentheism, pantheism, monism, atheism, agnosticism, gnosticism.

Hindus believe that if proper care is not taken of a temple's images, the deity will abandon the temple. Hence priests reside at the temple and take care of the gods' needs. Priests perform puja at sunrise, noon, sunset, and midnight. For a layperson, however, visiting a temple every day or even regularly is not mandatory, and many devout Hindus worship at home. The essential aspect of puja is not congregational worship but an individual's offering to a deity.
Temples are normally dedicated to one primary god. Mythological scenes are juxtaposed with scenes of everyday life and important political events, such as royal coronations, conquests, and celebrations, or with portraits of royal and secular patrons. These divine images and mythological scenes on the outer walls of the temple help worshipers recall the sacred stories they have heard or read.