The word "temple" was originally used by European Christians to describe religious structures of non-Christian faiths. In Indian English, it is rarely used for Sikh gurdwaras or Muslim mosques.
In the early Vedic period, religious rituals were held in temporary structures, while domestic rituals took place in homes. Texts from the 3rd century BCE, including the Dharmashastras, mention terms like devalaya and devagriha, suggesting the existence of structures for divine purposes. However, these texts do not clearly define these structures or their uses.
Initially, monumental religious architecture was associated with Buddhism rather than Hinduism. Hindu temples began to emerge around the 1st or 2nd century CE, but there is no archaeological evidence of them before the Kushan era. Mainstream Brahminical texts focused on domestic religious practices, often ignoring or opposing temple-based rituals. Ritual specialists, known as devalakas, were not highly regarded in these texts.
Temples are central to the installation of iconic or aniconic divine images. The practice of "taking darshan" of these images holds great importance, although early Brahminical texts largely overlook this practice.
Early temples or shrines were typically situated away from populated areas and primarily served as shelters for wandering ascetics. They were not integral to the religious lives of the common people or ascetics.
By the Gupta period in the 5th century CE, Hindu temples became more prevalent and central to various Hindu traditions. This era saw the development of diverse regional architectural styles for temples.
Despite the increasing prominence of temples, religious activities prescribed by the Dharmashastras continued to be practiced at home. This historical narrative highlights the gradual evolution of Hindu temples from a marginal role to a central institution in religious practices.
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