Indian monuments that time forgot
Take our quiz on forgotten, sidelined or destroyed monuments and acquaint yourself with an unseen India.
Temple Architecture
Quiz: Gujarat’s lions, India’s pride
Take our quiz to learn something new about the real Sher Khan
Quiz: Architectural Marvels of India
Design innovation, engineering feats and artistic brilliance characterise these great Indian landmarks. Take our quiz to see how well you know your way around them
Object of the week: Jagannath’s Puri temple inspired this art form
Odisha’s Pattachitra paintings are rooted in the culture of the seaside town of Puri and, more specifically, in its legendary Jagannath temple
Singing pillars, living rocks & posh pineapples – Architecture of the Deccan
How medieval Deccani architecture evolved to encompass such a range of marvels, from monolithic cave monasteries to Dravidian temple art to Indo-Islamic minarets
Vindusagar tank, Bhubaneshwar
This late-19th century photograph of the Bindusagar lake was published in Antiquities of Orissa, authored by Indologist Rajendralal Mitra (1824 – 1891). The lake dating back to the 8th – 9th century is situated north of the Lingaraja Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva in Bhubaneshwar. It measures about 1300 ft in length and 700 ft… Read more »
Worshipping water – Faith & conservation in Indian culture
Let’s travel to some picturesque and iconic Indian destinations where water is worshipped as saviour, sustainer, and bringer of salvation
Rock Temple, Mavalipuram (Descent of the Ganges ,Mamallapuram)
This photograph of an open-air sculptural relief at Mamallapuram (Mahabalipuram) is attributed to photographer John P Nicholas. Mamallapuram occupies a significant place in India’s cultural and historical landscape and has a rich presence of ancient caves, temples, and rock-cut structures. The sculptural relief in the photograph is dated to the 7th century CE and was… Read more »
Temple on the Seashore, Mahavellipore (Shore Temple, Mamallapuram)
This photograph by Francis Frith (1822-1898) & Co is of the Shore Temple of Mamallapuram (Mahabalipuram) in the present state of Tamil Nadu. Mamallapuram occupies an important place in the cultural and historical landscape of India due to the rich presence of ancient caves, temples, and rock-cut structures. The Shore Temple was built during the… Read more »
Entrance to the temple of Kumbakonam
Kumbakonam, a temple town in Tanjore district of Tamil Nadu, was an important centre in the Chola kingdom from the 9th through 13th centuries. It is home to twelve major temples dedicated to various Hindu deities, each functioning as a primary centre of ritual throughout the year. Many of the early Chola temples here are… Read more »
Gopuram at Trinpatty (Tirupati), Madras
Located in the Chittoor District of Andhra Pradesh, the Govindaraja temple in Tirupati is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. It is one of the earliest temples, dating back to the 12th century AD. Photographed here is the eastern gopura, also known as the Rajagopuram. Straight ahead through the seven-storey structure the photograph also captures much smaller gopura… Read more »
Madras Talkies – Reading List
Titles from the Sarmaya library that will draw you further into the heart of Tamil Nadu’s culture through music, architecture, photography and art
Divine Doorways – Gopurams of South India
Exploring the towering gopurams of south India through rare photographs of temples across Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Kerala
reimagine II
Inside the studios and minds of seven contemporary artists who have interpreted and re-imagined objects from our collection to tell us stories in their unique styles
Hindu Temple Architecture
A Sarmaya guide to Hindu temple architecture through our collection of rare photographs
Nagara, Dravidian, Vesara: Temple Styles of India
The architecture, iconography and divine design of Hindu temple architecture through the lens of its royal patrons
Ruined Temple built into the village wall, Purudkul (Papanatha Temple, Pattadakal)
This photograph from the ‘Architecture in Dharwar and Mysore’ was taken by Col. Thomas Biggs. This is the Papanatha Temple in Pattadakal, Karnataka. The Papanatha Temple is an important structure in the Pattadakal group of temples because of its unique style that combines regional architectural elements. The temple combines the Nagara and Dravida architectural traditions… Read more »
Old Temple from the North West, Gop
Pictured here are the ruins of an old temple in Gop, Gujarat, estimated to date to the 6th century, Maitraka period. Located in Jamnagar district, Gop was one of several historic sites in Kathiawar and Kutch examined by British archaeologist James Burgess between 1874-75. The shrine, standing about 23 feet high, may be the oldest… Read more »
General View from the North-east, The Great Temple, Hullabeed ( Hoysalesvara Temple, Halebidu)
This photograph from the ‘Architecture in Dharwar and Mysore’ was taken by Dr. W.H.Pigou in 1856. This is the Hoysalesvara Temple in Halebidu, Karnataka. Seen are the two Nandi Mandapas attached to the main shrines. The Hoysaleswara Temple in Halebidu is also known as ‘Vishnuvardhana Poysalesvara’ after its patron and was built in 1121 AD.… Read more »
Nachyar Temple in the Court, Temple at Belloor (Andal Temple, Belur Complex)
This photograph from the ‘Architecture in Dharwar and Mysore’ was taken by Dr. A.C.B.Neill in 1856. Pictured here is the ‘Andal Temple’ of the Belur temple complex in Karnataka. It is also known as ‘Shaumyanayaki’ or ‘Ranganayaki’ Temple as per the presiding deity. Th temple is located north-west of the Keshava Temple, and Dravidian style… Read more »