One word, many traditions
“Temple” is a broad English word that covers sacred buildings of many religions. A Hindu mandir, a Buddhist monastery hall, a Chinese ancestral or folk temple, a Jain temple, a Sikh gurdwara, and the ruins of ancient Greek or Egyptian temples are all different, and each tradition has its own purpose for the building. Some places often called temples are not strictly that: a Shinto shrine is a shrine, for example, and a gurdwara is a place of Sikh worship. This article does not rank any of them. It explains what shapes these buildings and how to behave when you visit one that is in active use.
Common design ideas
Temples differ a lot, but some themes recur.
A sacred center
Many temples are arranged around one inner space that holds the most sacred image, relic or presence. In many Hindu temples this is a small inner chamber, often called the garbhagriha, with a tower rising above it. In Buddhist traditions the focus may be an image in a hall or a reliquary mound called a stupa.
Towers, roofs and gateways
- Hindu temples in different regions have different towers. In southern India, tall carved gateway towers called gopurams are a famous sight. In the north, curved towers called shikharas are more typical.
- Buddhist architecture includes stupas, pagodas and shrine halls. Pagodas in East Asia developed from the Indian stupa and are often built in several tiers with sweeping eaves.
- Chinese and many East Asian temples typically use timber frames, upswept tiled roofs and bracket systems under the eaves, arranged in courtyards along a central axis.
- Shinto shrines in Japan are often marked by a gateway called a torii and use natural materials, with an emphasis on purity and the surrounding landscape.
- Southeast Asian temples, such as Thai and Cambodian examples, often combine tiered roofs, gilding and richly decorated spires. The ancient world also left stone temples, and ancient architecture gives context for how early builders handled such structures.
Symbolism and art
Carvings, paintings and statues usually carry meaning: stories from scripture, protective figures at doors, lotus motifs, or sacred geometry. In many places the decoration is the reason people admire the building, but for worshippers it is a way of teaching and honoring.
Materials and craft
Stone, brick, timber, lacquer, gold leaf and glazed tile are all used. The properties of those materials, a topic covered under material properties, explain why a stone temple can last millennia while a timber one often needs periodic rebuilding or repair. Some famous wooden temples are maintained through traditional repair or renewal practices.
Setting
Many temples are placed on hills, beside water or in forests because the setting is part of the meaning. Approaches may involve stairways, gates and courtyards that prepare the visitor gradually.
What makes them admired
People tend to praise temples for different reasons: monumental scale, fine carving, a feeling of calm, a long continuous history, or the way a building fits its landscape. Because belief, craft and setting all play a part, a temple a visitor finds beautiful may be most meaningful to the people who worship there, and the two views do not always match. Some temples were built along trade routes, and the story of Silk Road trade helps explain why Buddhist art and styles spread so widely across Asia.
Dress and behavior customs
Rules vary by tradition, country and even individual temple. These are common expectations, not universal laws, and a sign or staff member at the entrance overrides any general advice.
- Dress modestly. Covered shoulders and knees are widely expected. Some temples will not admit people in shorts, sleeveless tops or very tight clothing, and may lend or sell wraps at the gate.
- Take off your shoes before entering many temples, including most Hindu, Buddhist and Jain sites. Look for a shoe rack or pile of footwear. Socks may or may not be acceptable, so check locally.
- Head coverings. Some places, such as Sikh gurdwaras, ask everyone to cover their heads and often provide cloths. In some other settings, you may be asked to remove a hat instead.
- Stay quiet and calm. Speak softly, silence your phone and avoid running or loud laughter.
- Mind your feet and posture. In several Buddhist cultures the feet are considered the lowest part of the body, so pointing them at images or people is considered rude. Sitting with your feet tucked to the side is often suggested.
- Do not touch sacred images or climb on them. Do not pose in a disrespectful way with statues.
- Ask before photographing. Photography may be allowed outside but not in the main shrine, or may require a fee. Never photograph worshippers close-up without permission.
- Follow the direction of movement. In many traditions people walk clockwise around a shrine or stupa, though practice differs. Observe what others do.
- Be careful around monks and priests. In some Buddhist countries, there are special rules, such as women not touching monks or handing items to them directly. Ask a local guide if unsure.
- Leave offerings carefully. Donating is often welcome, but use the boxes provided. Do not take items from altars.
- Timing. Festival days can be wonderful but crowded, and some areas may be closed to non-worshippers.
If you have never practiced this kind of respectful observation, the same habits of travel safety and attention to local expectations apply. Learning a few polite phrases, as described in travel phrases, also helps.
Planning a visit
Check the temple’s opening hours, any entry fees, and whether non-worshippers can enter the inner areas. Some famous sites have dress codes enforced strictly at the gate. Dress in layers you can adjust, wear shoes that are easy to slip off, and carry a scarf or light cover-up. Where a temple is also an archaeological site, there may be separate rules for visitors. Above all, remember that you are a guest in a place that matters to someone.