Difference between temples of north india and south india

Heya....

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North - South is a very broad distinction. India has three types of temple architectures (broadly speaking). Nagara (between Himalayas and Vindyas), Dravida (South of Deccan) and Vesara (Deccan region). But for the purpose of this question, I will combine Dravida and Vesara as "South Indian". Here are the differences:

Size of Temples:

The first obvious difference you would see between North and South Indian temples is the sheer size. Southern temples are much larger in comparision. It is fair to say that, South Indian kings invested a lot in temples than their palaces, which is quite the opposite in the North. Srirangam Ranganathar temple in Tamilnadu occupies an area of 156 acres, making it the largest working worship place in the world. In perspective, the entire area of the country of Monaco (2 sq. km) can only hold three Srirangam temples. Vatican City can only hold 2/3rd of Srirangam temple. None of the North Indian temples are as grand as these structures.

For a person travelling from South, the first impression of North Indian temples is “wait… that’s it?!”. South Indians aren’t simply accustomed to temples being in modest sizes. But who needs a grand structure when you have a backdrop with the million dollar view?! North Indian temples are truly gifted in the sense they have more natural beauty to them. The majestic Ganga flowing through Rishikesh, or the breath taking backdrop of Himalayas in Kedarnath and Badrinath adds serenity to these temples. In Sanskrit there is a beautiful word called ‘sanidhyam’ – which means feeling closer to God. North Indian temples are naturally gifted in sanidhyam.

Agamam (ritual modality):

South Indian temples follow very strict agamam culture.  Agamam is a set of text that defines the worship, temple traditions and ritual protocols. There are three agamams: Saiva (for Shiva temples) and Vaikanasam & Paancharaatram (for Vishnu temples). Shaiva agamam are quite simple and less formal. In my opinion, rituals in Paancharatra agamam is very elaborate than Vaikanasa agamam. The exception to this agamic culture is Kerala temples where they perform tantric rituals.

North Indian temples don't follow this agamic system. From what I have seen, North Indian temples have relaxed rituals. Moreover, the modality of rituals is not unified in all North Indian temples. This even allows common people to touch the idols. In Kashi, you can do abhishekam to Shiva Lingam, and even better, you can hug the idol of Pandurangan in Pandharpur. In south, only temple priests are allowed to touch the idols and perform the rituals because of strict agamam.

Forms of divinity in temples:

All South Indian temples have idols being both moolavar (made of stone) and utsavar (usually made of panchalogam - 5 metals - gold, silver, copper, iron, lead). Moolavar stays in the temple and is usually made of hard rock and is represented in black colour. Utsavar is used for temple processions and can be carried outside the temple during festivals.

Some Vishnu temples even have up to 5 representations of the main deity. They are called panchaperar namely: Moolavar, Utsavar (used for processions), Yaagaberar (used in yaagams), Kauthugar (metallic miniature of moolavar) and theerthaberar.

In most North Indian temples, the idols are a represented in a very humble way, and they don't have a utsavar idols for processions. White marble representation of deity is quite common in North Indian temples, which is the opposite in South India, where idols are made of black stone.

Also Tamil Nadu has a unique way of representing Shiva in dancing form called Nataraja, which is very important to Tamil people.

Nandi (bull - chief of Shiva’s staff) plays a very important role in South Indian temples too, represented by a huge monolithic structure.

Importance for Saints:

All South Indian temples gives a very important role to the saints. Shiva temples have idols of 63 nayanmars (Shaivite saints) who composed Thirumurai (18349 hymns on Shiva and 275 temples). Vishu temples have idols of 12 alwars (Vaishnavite saints) who composed Divya Prabandham (4000 hymns on Vishnu and 106 temples). Also Vishnu temples give great importance to Vaishnavite philosophers and pontiffs like Ramanujar.

Architecture:

Dravidian temple architecture usually has a Raja Gopuram (biggest tower) at the main gate and a small tower for the sanctum sanctorum (exception being Tanjore Big temple). South Indian temple gopurams are extremely intricate filled with statues, whereas most.

This is quite the reverse in North Indian temples, where the height of the structure is progressive starting from a lower height gate leading to a tall tower where the sanctum is present. Also North Indian temple towers are mostly presented in a minimalist fashion with less or no statues in them.

Use of Elephants:

South Indian temples use elephants in temple rituals and processes, which isn't done in North India.

Thanks...!!!

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