BASIC PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION

Site selection

Sthapati will study positioning, orientation, and temporal circumstances of construction

Physical aspects

Benevolent/maleovolent terrain
Study of soil/subsoil
Dominant winds
drainage/dampness/dryness

Orientation

Depending on type of temple and god it will be dedicated to

External influences

Hindu town planning (geometric layout)
Caste system

Sthapatis

Temple architects are commissioned to design and construct the temple according tot eh sacred architecture found in the Agamic scriptures

Puja

Act of Worship

Kumbhabhishekam

Consecration ceremony that lasts several days

Shilpa Shastras

Science of Silpa - arts and crafts
Icons, stone murals, painting, carpentry, pottery, jewelry, dying, textiles, etc.

Vastu Shastra

Science of Architecture
Building houses, forts, temples, apartments, village and town layout, etc

HINDU TEMPLE: LOCATION

Built at picturesque and harmonious places near natural source of water, forests, gardens, inside caves, on top of hills abundant with plants and animals
Oldest temples built of brick and wood no longer exist