Whoever said temples were only for worship was absolutely wrong.
Indian temples have breathtaking architecture, most of them built years ago. Most kings built temples in their kingdom with utmost precision and meticulous care.
There are innumerable temples, depicting various architectural styles, each having a distinct flavor: the minaret styles of the Jat architecture, the liberal use of marble by the Rajput dynasties, the intricate stonework of the Chola kings and so on.
Majority Indian temples do not permit cameras and photography of the deity is strictly prohibited. But when you cannot carry cameras, you miss out capturing the treasures that reside in the temple.
Some temples however do permit the use of cameras, especially the ones where there are no religious ceremonies held. Like the Mahabalipuram Shore temple in Tamil Nadu or the Modhera Sun temple in Gujarat.
In my visits to temples, I am particularly intrigued by the details of the temple ceilings.
Most of these are so aesthetically constructed, that all you want to do is Look Up
The detailing is impeccable and the design speaks volumes of the craftsmen of yesteryears.
Here’s a glimpse of some very beautiful temple ceilings in India.
- Dagdu Sheth temple, Pune
2. Modhera Sun temple, Gujarat : Built by the Solanki kings
3. The Golden temple, Amritsar
4. Moosi Maharani ki Chattri , Alwar, Rajasthan
Have you been fascinated with Indian temple ceilings? How have you managed to click them despite the restrictions?
Great pics! I too always make a point to click snaps of the exquisite architecture in temple ceilings:)
Thanks Rashmi. Would love to see your collection!
This pictures give new life to the otherwise unhygienic impression I have somehow formed of our temples 🙂
Oh some of them are quite a feat when it comes to cleanliness ( golden temple for eg) . Can’t say the same about a lot of hindu temples though.
The pics are sharp and clear! Good ones.
Thanks Indrani:)
Wonderful photos! I love the first one and the one from Sikh temple is absolutely gorgeous. I would love to visit India(more than Darjeeling and the surroundings where I have been once hehe) one day. I probably would have by now if I was still living in Nepal.
I don’t think we have such ceilings in Hindu temples in Nepal, I don’t recall seeing any when I was living there.. Or maybe just on the southern region that’s closer to India where there are a few famous temples which look different than the ones found in Kathmandu. The architecture in Nepali Hindu temples (at least in the hilly areas of the country) is completely different from the Indian ones from what I know. But Buddhist monasteries are very colorful.
I would love to see the Nepali temples some day! 🙂 do you have a post on them? The golden temple ceiling is my favourite too! 🙂 whenever you are india would love to show you around, there is much more intricacy in Indian temples than just the ceilings:)
Oh thanks for offering me to show me around! 🙂 I am sure there are many more things to see in India besides the temples! I do plan it visit the main cities (and maybe some other places..) in India someday but don’t know when yet 🙂
I don’t have a post on Nepali temples but I might check my photo gallery and see if I have something worth showing. 🙂
Stone carved ceiling is mind blowing… sad that the sculptures look as if they are purposely destroyed.
The sorry state of heritage in India! 🙁
Wow. Stunning shots and an incredible point of view. As usual a great post. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks Swetlana! Glad you liked it:)
I have some collections from my travels, maybe will post them some time 😊
Loved yours…especially from Sheth temple.
Would love to see yours:) thanks Alok!
I posted a few of them earlier, like within US Capitol in Washington.
Oh I thought temple ones.
No, there are not many temples around. The ones that are, don’t have such works.
Truly breathtaking ! Loved the first image, lots of bright colors.
Thanks Atul! That’s my fav too:)
I absolutely love observing the temple ceilings. Ranakpur, Meenakshi temple, Belur and Halebid ones are the first that come to my mind right now.
Ranakpur is breathtaking 🙂 love the intricate details of Jain temples. In fact now that you mention meenakshi temple, even South Indian temples have excellent detailing and a brilliant use of colours:)
Awesome photos. Thanks for the beautiful post.
Thanks Rupam 🙂
Thanks for helping us to look up here, and take in these works of art. Each one is spectacular, and very different. 🙂
Thank you so much 🙂 glad you liked them!
Woohooo! What prettiness 🙂 Fabulous as always.
Thanks Shubham:)
Beautiful pictures.
Thank you:)
Beautiful ceilings!
Thanks!
These are breathtaking works of art 🙂
Indeed:) thanks a lot!
You are again starting a winning series. You always think out of the box and this is an example. Great series to start
Thanks Anin:) I wish I can continue this and actually make a series. There’s no dearth of architectural wonder in our country:)
Of the above I have only seen Modhera and totally agree with you…it sure has one of the most stunning carved ceilings. I also feel Dilwara Temples’ Devraani Jetaani Temple’s ceiling comes in the top five of what I have seen.
Lovely pics as usual divsi. 😀
Thanks Vish! Jain temples in general have opulent carvings. The ranakpur one is out of the world:)
Mindblowing! these temples are also a symbol of our rich culture and majestic architecture… 🙂
Thanks Maniparna:)
Simply marvellous Divsi! I can imagine you craning back to capture all that gorgeousness into your pictures! So glad you did a post dedicated to these stunning ceilings, it is something we should be very proud of and share with the rest of the world!
Hehe:p crouching to get these was an honour indeed 🙂 thanks so much for all the appreciation kala 🙂 glad you liked them! Wish to capture more of these!
Dang! From doors to ceilings. You’re really covering the ‘top spots’ 🙂
Haha:) wondering where to next :p
Whoa! That’s a wonderful perspective of temples! Indian temples indeed have fascinating artwork and craftsmanship spread all around, kudos to you for celebrating it in splendid style. Stunning captures, loved looking at them all.
Thanks a lot Arti! So glad you liked them:) my love for Indian architecture keeps deepening day by day 🙂
Gosh, they are stunning and magnificent!
Thanks much Indah 🙂
Beautiful photographs. Love the colors and geometric patterns.
I particularly appreciate the juxtaposition of multiple photographs on a theme. If one can extract beauty out of one ceiling, one extracts insight from seeing a series. The patterns become recognizable in groups and trends become visible.
Peta
Thank you so much 🙂 I am so glad you liked the presentation. It offers multiple perspectives 🙂 have a great weekend
Opening another window for us Divyakshi through your fantastic captures. Wish you were with us on our Badami trip. The caves have some superb sculptures on its ceilings
Thanks so much Doreen 🙂 I wish I was there on the Badami trip too:( hopefully next time! 🙂
That’s one good collection.
I agree that earlier you could see and be mesmerized with the efforts taken to create such magnificent temples. The detailing is almost too good to be true and will be tough to repeat in today’s time.
Thank you:) true that. Forget repetition. Even maintenance is not done properly in recent times!
Pictures are really amazing. Well composed. Looking at them soothes the soil. Enjoyed the narration too.
Thanks so much:) glad you liked them!
Very interesting series, Divya 🙂
The intricate carvings here reminds me of the Somnathpur temple in South Karnataka…
Thanks a lot for sharing 🙂
Thanks Sree. Is it the one near Mysore? Missed visiting it:(
Yes, the one near Mysore… for the ceiling work, this temple is a step ahead of it’s more famous cousin’s, the Belur temple and the Halebidu one.
In intricate stone work, I think Hoysala temples are simply stunning…
But in your images, we could see a great diversity also 🙂
Impressive sharing!
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Whoa…. the last one is simply stunning in colour and workmanship. Loved this post.