Temples: Categories – By Type
🛕 Temple Categories – By Type
🧭 Why “By Type” Matters
Temples vary not just in whom they worship, but how they’re built, where they’re located, and why they draw seekers. This classification lets readers:
- Plan pilgrimages (e.g., cave temples or sea-facing temples)
- Explore architectural marvels
- Discover energy-based temples (like jyotirlingas)
- Appreciate India’s sacred geography and diversity
🛕 Major Types of Temples in Sanatana Dharma
1. 🏛️ Ancient Temples (Pre-10th Century CE)
Temples built before medieval times, reflecting early spiritual and architectural styles.
- Brihadeeswarar Temple (Tamil Nadu) – Chola masterpiece, UNESCO heritage.
- Kailasa Temple at Ellora (Maharashtra) – Monolithic rock-cut wonder.
- Lingaraj Temple (Odisha) – Classic Kalinga architecture.
- Mahabalipuram Shore Temples (Tamil Nadu) – Pallava-built, UNESCO site.
2. ⛰️ Hill Temples (Parvata Mandirs)
Built atop hills symbolizing tapas, spiritual ascent, and solitude.
- Vaishno Devi (Jammu) – Shakti Peetha in a cave high in Trikuta hills.
- Palani Murugan Temple (Tamil Nadu) – One of the Arupadai Veedu.
- Tirumala Venkateswara Temple (Andhra Pradesh) – Divine seven-hill abode.
- Chamundi Hills Temple (Karnataka) – Fierce and protective form of Devi.
3. 🌊 Sea Temples (Sāgara Mandirs)
Temples along the coast, often linked with purification and moksha.
- Rameswaram (Tamil Nadu) – Ocean-side Jyotirlinga and Ramayana site.
- Somnath (Gujarat) – Shiva temple that has survived 17 invasions.
- Murudeshwar (Karnataka) – Towering Shiva by the Arabian Sea.
- Dwarkadhish Temple (Gujarat) – Kingdom of Krishna near Gomti Ghat.
4. 🕳️ Cave Temples (Guha Mandirs)
Natural or carved caverns, reflecting meditative solitude and yogic energy.
- Elephanta Caves (Maharashtra) – Rock-cut Shiva cave with Trimurti carving.
- Badami Cave Temples (Karnataka) – Hindu, Jain, and Buddhist cave shrines.
- Udayagiri Caves (Madhya Pradesh) – Gupta-era Shaiva and Vaishnava caves.
- Ajanta Caves (Maharashtra) – Though primarily Buddhist, reflect Vedic ethos.
5. 🗻 Rock-Cut Temples (Monolithic Shrines)
Carved from single stones or mountain faces, these temples defy time and tools.
- Kailasanatha Temple, Ellora – Entire temple carved top-down from one rock.
- Pancha Rathas, Mahabalipuram – Each representing a Pandava.
- Dharmaraja Ratha, Mahabalipuram – Example of proto-Dravida vimana style.
6. 🕯️ Jyotirlinga Temples (12)
Temples where Shiva is worshipped as a pillar of eternal light.
- Kashi Vishwanath, Somnath, Rameswaram, Kedarnath, etc.
📘 See: Full post coming under “By Deity – Shiva Temples”
7. 🌺 Shakti Peetha Temples (51+)
Sacred sites where Sati’s body parts are believed to have fallen.
- Kamakhya, Kalighat, Vaishno Devi, Jwalaji, Hinglaj (now in Pakistan).
📘 See: Full post under “By Deity – Devi Temples”
8. 🧭 UNESCO World Heritage Temples
Temples recognized globally for their heritage, art, and spiritual significance.
- Brihadeeswarar Temple – Tamil Nadu
- Sun Temple, Konark – Odisha
- Mahabalipuram Group of Monuments – Tamil Nadu
- Khajuraho Group of Temples – Madhya Pradesh
- Pattadakal Monuments – Karnataka
9. 📿 Living Temples with Continuous Daily Worship for 1000+ Years
Rare temples where daily rituals have never been broken:
- Srirangam Ranganathaswamy Temple (TN)
- Chidambaram Nataraja Temple (TN)
- Guruvayur Krishna Temple (Kerala)
- Tirupati Balaji Temple (AP)
10. 🌕 Temples Aligned with Astronomy
These temples show solar or lunar alignment or astronomical genius.
- Sun Temple, Konark – Aligned to sunrise.
- Meenakshi Temple, Madurai – Gopuram built per nakshatra-based design.
- Rameswaram Temple – Long corridors aligned with solar path.
11. 🔮 Temples With Unique Rituals or Energetics
Known for specific spiritual or mystical effects.
- Mehendipur Balaji (Rajasthan) – Healing from possession and affliction.
- Shani Shingnapur (Maharashtra) – Houses without doors; deity enforces justice.
- Jwalaji (Himachal) – Eternal flame representing Devi’s tongue.
- Gavi Gangadhareshwara (Karnataka) – Light pierces inner sanctum on Makar Sankranti.