Indian architecture

• Reliquary stupas


  A type of stupa containing relics of Buddha or other important figures
• Rock-cut temples (chaitya, or worship halls)


  Temples carved directly into the sides of cliffs or hills
• Monk's cells (viharas)


  Single-room dwellings for monks or nuns
• Freestanding temples


  Temples built as independent structures rather than carved into the rock
• Northern style


  A style of Indian temple architecture characterized by intricate carvings and ornate details
• Southern style


  A style of Indian temple architecture characterized by simpler and more minimalist designs
• Gupta period (600 C.E.)


  A period of Indian history marked by significant cultural, artistic, and architectural achievements
• Rock-cut sanctuaries


  Temples carved directly into the sides of cliffs or hills, betraying their debt to wood construction
• Freestanding structures


  Temples built as independent structures rather than carved into the rock
• Mandala


  A geometric pattern or diagram used in Hindu and Buddhist cultures, often representing the universe or a sacred geometry
• Purification of a site


  A ritual or process to cleanse and consecrate a site for building a temple
• Floor plan or sacred diagram


  A diagram or design used to plan and organize the layout of a temple or sacred space
• Relative proportions


  The balance and relationships between different parts of a temple's design, including size, scale, and arrangement
• Post and lintel


  A structural system used in Hindu temples, where vertical posts (posts) support a horizontal beam (lintel), often seen in the entrance of a temple or a corridor
• Basic structural system


  A fundamental component of Hindu temple architecture, consisting of vertical and horizontal components working together to support the temple's structure
• Arch


  A curved structure used in architecture, often used to create a semi-circular or circular shape
• Quarried blocks


  Blocks of stone, such as granite or sandstone, extracted from quarries to be used in construction
• Mortar


  A bonding agent, typically made of cement, water, and sand, used to hold building materials together
• Architect-craftsman


  A person who combines the roles of an architect and a craftsman, responsible for designing and executing the temple building process
• Supervisor


  A person responsible for overseeing the construction process, ensuring that materials are assembled and workmen are guided