Editing Temple (section)

==Indian temples==
===Hindu temple===
{{Main|Hindu temple}}
{{see also|List of Hindu temples}}
Hindu temples are known by many different names, varying on region and language, including Alayam,<ref>ALAYAM : The Hindu Temple;An Epitome of Hindu Culture; G.Venkataramana Reddy;  Published by Adhyaksha; Sri Ramakrishna Math; {{ISBN|978-81-7823-542-4}} ; Page 1</ref> ''Mandir'', ''Mandira'', ''Ambalam'', ''Gudi'', ''Kavu'', ''Koil'', ''Kovil'', ''Déul'', ''Raul'', ''Devasthana'', ''Devalaya'', ''Devayatan'', ''Devakula'', ''Devagiriha'', ''Degul'', ''Deva Mandiraya'', and ''Devalayam''. Hindu temple architecture is mainly divided into the [[Dravidian architecture|Dravidian style]] of the south and the [[Nagara architecture|Nagara]] style of the north, with other regional styles.

The basic elements of the [[Hindu temple]] remain the same across all periods and styles. The most essential feature is the inner sanctuary, the ''[[garbhagriha]]'' or womb-chamber, where the primary ''[[murti]]'' or [[cult image]] of a deity is housed in a simple bare cell. Around this chamber there are often other structures and buildings, in the largest cases covering several acres. On the exterior, the garbhagriha is crowned by a tower-like ''[[shikhara]]'', also called the ''[[Vimana (architectural feature)|vimana]]'' in the south. The shrine building may include an [[ambulatory]] for ''parikrama'' ([[circumambulation]]), one or more [[mandapa]]s or congregation halls, and sometimes an [[antarala]] antechamber and porch between garbhagriha and mandapa.

A Hindu temple is a symbolic house, the seat and dwelling of [[Hindu gods]].<ref>{{cite book|first=Stella|last=Kramrisch|title=The Hindu Temple|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NNcXrBlI9S0C|year=1946|publisher=Motilal Banarsidass |isbn=978-81-208-0223-0|pages=135, context: 40–43, 110–114, 129–139 with footnotes}}, Quote: "The [Hindu] temple is the seat and dwelling of God, according to the majority of the [Indian] names" (p. 135); "The temple as Vimana, proportionately measured throughout, is the house and body of God" (p. 133).</ref> It is a structure designed to bring human beings and gods together according to [[Hinduism|Hindu faith]]. Inside its ''garbhagriha'' innermost sanctum, a Hindu temple contains a ''[[murti]]'' or Hindu god's image. Hindu temples are large and magnificent with a rich history. There is evidence of the use of sacred ground as far back as the [[Bronze Age]] and later during the [[Indus Valley civilization]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Hinduism - Early Hinduism (2nd century bce–4th century ce) {{!}} Britannica |url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/Hinduism/Early-Hinduism-2nd-century-bce-4th-century-ce |access-date=2023-01-20 |website=www.britannica.com |language=en}}</ref>

Outside of the Indian subcontinent ([[India]], [[Bangladesh]] and [[Nepal]]), Hindu temples have been built in [[List of Hindu temples outside India|various countries around the world]]. Either following the [[Indianized kingdom|historic diffusion of Hinduism across Asia]] (e.g. ancient stone temples of [[Cambodia]] and [[List of Hindu temples in Indonesia|Indonesia]]), or following the migration of the [[Indian diaspora|Indian Hindus' diaspora]], to Western Europe (esp. [[Great Britain]]), North America (the [[United States]] and [[Canada]]), as well as Australia, [[Malaysia]] and Singapore, Mauritius and [[South Africa]].

<gallery widths="200px" heights="160px">
File:Sripuram Temple Full View.jpg|The Golden temple of Mahalakshmi, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India
File:Guruvayoor Temple 1.jpg|Famous [[Guruvayur Temple]], a Traditional Hindu Temple in Kerala, India.
File:Maa Naina Devi Temple, Mallital, Nainital, Uttarakhand, India.jpg|A view of the Maa Naina Devi Temple, Mallital, [[Nainital]], Uttarakhand, India
File:New Delhi Temple.jpg|[[Akshardham (Delhi)|Akshardham Temple]], a Hindu temple in [[New Delhi]], [[India]] built in 2005.
File:Dakshineswar Temple1.jpg|[[Dakshineswar Kali Temple]], a Hindu temple in [[Kolkata metropolitan area|Greater Kolkata]], [[West Bengal]], India
File:Venkateshwara Temple.jpg[[Venkateshwara Temple]], a Hindu temple in [[Tirupati]], [[Andhra Pradesh]], India
</gallery>

===Buddhist temples===
{{main|Buddhist temple}}
[[File:Mahabodhitemple.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Mahabodhi]] temple, [[Bihar, India]]]]

Buddhist temples include the structures called [[stupa]], [[wat]] and [[pagoda]] in different regions and languages. A Buddhist temple might contain a [[meditation]] hall hosting ''[[Buddharupa]]'', or the image of [[Buddha]], as the object of concentration and veneration during a meditation. The stupa domed structures are also used in a circumambulation ritual called ''[[Pradakshina]]''.

Temples in [[Buddhism]] represent the pure land or pure environment of a [[Buddha (general)|Buddha]]. Traditional Buddhist temples are designed to inspire inner and outer peace.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kadampanewyork.org/temple/ |title=New York Buddhist Temple for World Peace |publisher=Kadampanewyork.org |date=1997-08-01 |access-date=2012-06-20 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120611060043/http://www.kadampanewyork.org/temple/ |archive-date=2012-06-11 }}</ref>

Three types of structures are associated with the [[Sacred architecture|religious architecture]] of [[Pre-sectarian Buddhism|early Buddhism]]: monasteries ([[vihara]]s), places to venerate relics ([[stupa]]s), and shrines or prayer halls ([[chaitya]]s, also called ''chaitya grihas''), which later came to be called temples in some places. The pagoda is an evolution of the Indian stupas.

The initial function of a stupa was the veneration and safe-guarding of the relics of [[Gautama Buddha]]. The earliest archaeologically known example of a stupa is the relic stupa located in [[Vaishali (ancient city)|Vaishali]], [[Bihar]] in India.

In accordance with changes in religious practice, stupas were gradually incorporated into chaitya-grihas (prayer halls). These are exemplified by the complexes of the [[Ajanta Caves]] and the [[Ellora Caves]] ([[Maharashtra]]). The [[Mahabodhi Temple]] at [[Bodh Gaya]] in [[Bihar]] is another well-known example.

As Buddhism spread, Buddhist architecture diverged in style, reflecting the similar trends in Buddhist art. Building form was also influenced to some extent by the different forms of Buddhism in the northern countries, practising [[Mahayana]] Buddhism in the main and in the south where [[Theravada]] Buddhism prevailed.

===Jain temples===
{{Main|Jain temple}}
{{see also|List of Jain temples}}
[[File:Jain Temple Ranakpur.jpg|thumb|[[Ranakpur Jain temple]], [[Rajasthan]], [[India]].]]

A Jain temple, called a [[Derasar]], is the [[place of worship]] for [[Jainism|Jains]], the followers of [[Jainism]].<ref>{{cite book |last=Babb |first=Lawrence, A |url=https://archive.org/details/absentlordasceti0000babb |title=Absent lord: ascetics and kings in a Jain ritual culture |publisher=Published [[University of California Press]] |year=1996 |page=[https://archive.org/details/absentlordasceti0000babb/page/66 66] |url-access=registration}}</ref> Some famous Jain temples are [[Shikharji]], [[Palitana temples]], [[Ranakpur Jain temple]], [[Shravan Belgola]], [[Dilwara Temples]] and [[Lal Mandir]]. Jain temples are built with various architectural designs. Jain temples in North India are completely different from the Jain temples in South India, which in turn are quite different from Jain temples in West India. Additionally, a ''[[manastambha]]'' (literally 'column of honor') is a pillar that is often constructed in front of Jain temples.

===Sikh temples===
{{Main|Gurdwara}}
[[File:Darbar Sahib 27 September 2018.jpg|thumb|[[Harmandir Sahib]] in [[Amritsar]], [[India]]]]

A Sikh temple is called a gurdwara, literally the "doorway to the Guru". Its most essential element is the presence of the Guru, [[Guru Granth Sahib]]. The gurdwara has an entrance from all sides, signifying that they are open to all without any distinction whatsoever. The gurdwara has a [[Darbar Sahib Hall|Darbar Sahib]] where the Guru Granth Sahib is seen and a [[Langar (Sikhism)|Langar]] where people can eat free food.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Gurdwara |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/sikhism/ritesrituals/gurdwara_1.shtml |access-date=18 March 2013 |work=bbc.co.uk |publisher=BBC}}</ref> A gurdwara may also have a library, nursery, and classroom.<ref>{{cite web |title=Gurdwara Requirements |url=http://www.worldgurudwaras.com/gurudwaras/gurdwara-requirements |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004220923/http://www.worldgurudwaras.com/gurudwaras/gurdwara-requirements |archive-date=4 October 2013 |access-date=18 March 2013 |work=worldgurudwaras.com}}</ref>