Studio 03
Indian Temple Art, Architecture & Iconography
A holistic introduction to the Indian temple eco-system
Architecture, sculpture, symbology, ritual — and a site visit to see those principles in stone.
When
20–25 July 2026
Six full days · 10am–5pm
Where
CU Global Campus
Devanahalli, Bengaluru
You earn
2 Credits
Certificate of Completion
for external participants
Open to
All Students
UG, PG, PhD across schools + external participants
What you’ll do
Develop a holistic understanding of the Indian temple eco-system — the various configurations of temple architecture, how to read and interpret temple sculptures, and the philosophy and symbology embedded in temple architecture, sculpture, and ritual. The course also addresses why preservation of the temple eco-system matters.
How the studio works
You’ll be introduced to basic concepts and then apply them to analyse a given temple. You’ll brainstorm the principles and techniques used in temple planning, construction, and management. A site visit takes you to see those principles in practice.
Your six days
| Mon | Introduction to the temple eco-system. Basics of architecture. |
| Tue | Symbology in temple architecture and its evolution. |
| Wed | Temple sculptures — representative and non-representative. |
| Thu | Temple inscriptions, rituals, and teertha-kshetras. |
| Fri | Field trip to a temple. |
| Sat | Evaluation — jury review. |
How you’ll be assessed
Through a combination of group discussions, mini-projects, essays, and presentations. Final evaluation on Day 6 is by jury.
Your instructor
Arjun Bharadwaj
Visiting Faculty, Centre for Indian Knowledge Systems, Chanakya University
Arjun Bharadwaj is Visiting Faculty at Chanakya University’s School of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences (Centre for Indian Knowledge Systems). An author, translator, and researcher with deep interest in classical literature, arts, and philosophy, he is an engineer by training and a Sanskrit scholar (Masters), and is also versed in Kannada, English, German, and Greek. He is a contributing editor at Prekshaa and is currently studying the comparative aesthetics of classical Greek and Indian arts.
He has co-written and translated several books and authored over fifty research articles on literature, arts, and philosophy. He has taught courses and conducted workshops on the Nāṭyaśāstra, Arthaśāstra, Kalātattva, Purāṇas, Sanskrit literature, Indian sciences, and Temple Art, Architecture, and Iconography. He plays the Carnatic flute and composes lyrics for dance, music, and theatrical productions.
Registration Opens
20th May 2026
- Free for CU students
- Paid for external participants
Questions about a Studio?
Reach out to the Studios Coordinator. Happy to talk through any of the courses, what to expect day-to-day, or whether a particular Studio fits where you are in your learning right now.
Studios Coordinator
Anand K Sharma
cu.studios@chanakyauniversity.edu.in
+91 88930 33233
Campus
Chanakya University Global Campus
NH-648, Haraluru–Polanahalli
Near Kempegowda Intl. Airport
Devanahalli, Bengaluru — 562165