Dynasties of Devotion: The Secrets of 7 Iconic Hindu Temples
By Deepa Mandlik (Translated from the Marathi by Aboli Mandlik)
HarperCollins, 232 pages, Rs 399

In our cities, stepping into an old and quiet temple can be a surreal experience. Instead of the hustle and bustle outside, you are surrounded by deep silence. If a few-decades-old temple can provoke this, then centuries-old temples have a mystique of their own. Apart from the religious feeling, there are added layers of stories and histories. Visiting them for the first time is a profound and memorable experience. Take the Kailasa temple in the Ellora caves campus (Maharashtra). As the picture above shows, it has been carved out of a hill. Trying to make sense of that fact while standing there inspires awe.

For centuries, temples have functioned not just as places of worship but also social and cultural centres, offering both a connection to the divine and entertainment in the form of music and dance as respite from everyday life. In ‘Dynasties of Devotion’, Deepa Mandlik explores seven ancient temples across India and Cambodia, meticulously examines historical contexts and mythological stories associated with each temple.

At the Kailasa Temple, the author is struck by the visual representation of fertility and abundance – Goddess Lakshmi, elegantly sitting on a lotus, surrounded by four elephants showering her with rain. Through the dancing sculptures of Shiva and Parvati at the magnificent Brihadeeswara Temple in Tamil Nadu, she reveals that this Chola dynasty temple was once a prestigious platform for Bharatanatyam with nearly 400 dancers and 250 musicians in residence. At the Airavatesvara Temple, in Tamil Nadu, she experiences the wonder of the saptaswara (seven-note) steps which, when struck lightly, produce the sound of the seven musical notes.

From these to the other similarly named Brihdeshwara Temple in Tamil Nadu to the Chainnakeshva Temple in Karnataka and the Padmanabh Swami Temple in Kerala to Angkor Wat and Bayon in Cambodia, the author brings to life the rich tapestry of history, art and spirituality that is woven through them. With exciting storytelling, ‘Dynasties of Devotion’ is an ode to the enduring legacy of India’s temple culture; it is at once an intimate glimpse into these spaces for the curious reader and scholar and a handy walking guide for the spellbound tourist.

“These temples, holding much historical and cultural significance, should be known as the identity of India. The architectural design, grandeur, creativity and engineering of these temples are remarkably advanced, the author writes in the preface. “Moreover, emphasis must be laid on the fact that they were not only built as places of worship but were also instrumental in the overall societal and economic development of the times.”

Mandlik, a prolific and versatile Marathi writer, wrote this book originally in Marathi as ‘Parakrami Hindu Rajanchi Adwitiya Mandire’, which received the Best Reference Book of the Year Award by Akhil Bhartiya Marathi Prakashak Sangh as well as the Best Book of the Year Award by the oldest literature society of Maharashtra, Granthottejak Sanstha, Pune. It has been translated ably by Aboli Mandlik.

“Throughout her writings, Deepa Mandlik seamlessly integrates references to folktales and mythologies. However, what distinguishes her work is the careful balance she maintains, ensuring that these do not overshadow the objective depiction of the temples’ history and the appreciation of the sculptures,” writes Dr. G.B. Deglurkar, former vice-chancellor, Deccan College, Pune.