Discuss the development in sculpture and architecture associated with the rise of Vaishnavism and Shaivism.
As the Stupas became the religious sites of Buddhism, a similar number of temples were constructed to house the Hindu deities. The Shaivite and Vaisnavite movements led to the spread of worship of Shiva and Vishnu.
Some of the features of the temples constructed for the Hindu deities are:
- The earliest constructed temple used to have small square rooms, that came to be known as the garbagriha. This garbagriha used to house the principal deity.
- These garbagrihas used to have a single doorway from which the worshipper used to enter and offer his prayers to the deity.
- A tall structure known as the Shikhara was constructed over the principal shrine. This Shikhara gave a royal look to the temple.
- The walls of the temple was generally decorated with sculptures to enhance the beauty of the structure.