Majestic temple ceilings from India


Indian Bloggers

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.

  1. Dagdu Sheth temple, Pune
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Liberal use of colours, gorgeous designs surround a magnificent chandelier which adorns the ceilings of this ancient Ganesh temple.

2. Modhera Sun temple, Gujarat : Built by the Solanki kings

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Carvings in stone with perfect detailing built in 1028 AD

 

3. The Golden temple, Amritsar

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The most revered pilgrimage of the Sikhs, bathed in gold, built by Guru Ramdas in 1577

 

4. Moosi Maharani ki Chattri , Alwar, Rajasthan

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Built as a memorial for Rani Moosi who died as a sati, the memorial attracts a lot of locals who visit to pay a homage to her.

Have you been fascinated with Indian temple ceilings?  How have you managed to click them despite the restrictions?

63 thoughts on “Majestic temple ceilings from India

  1. 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.

    1. 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:)

      1. 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. 🙂

  2. I absolutely love observing the temple ceilings. Ranakpur, Meenakshi temple, Belur and Halebid ones are the first that come to my mind right now.

    1. 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:)

  3. 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. 😀

  4. 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!

  5. 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.

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. 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.

      1. 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 🙂

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