1. Religion and ReligiousIconographyIndia is famous for the great Hindu religions, andthe many gods which are included within it.But what is a god? And how do we learn torecognise them?As with architectural styles, we must look foricons and iconography, certain symbols orthemes which represent ideas and ways of lifewhich were important at the time of the godscreation.

2. For example Krishna. Krishna first appeared in religious textsapproximately 4000 years ago, towardsthe end of the Vedic Age. He is an Avatar of Vishnu, and is still oneof the most popular deities in India andaround the world. He was the god of music, dance andpoetry, the protector of cows, a god oflove and of the knowledge ofreincarnation. What, then, might his ICONS be? 3. The Icons of Krishna Krishna is easy to recognise his icons are always a flute, a peacock feather (representing beauty and knowledge), a sacred cow, this particular dancing position and with blue or grey skin. If you see these one or more of these ICONIC features, then you can know for sure that you are looking at an image of KrishnaSo what, then, wouldKrishnas temples belike? Think about how aparticular religion affectsarchitectural style 4. They are usually elegant, noisy,colourfulwith large open spaces inside forall the singing and dancing 5. So a deity or god, and his or her templesare basically a collection of different icons,which represent different things But where do these icons come from,and how do they become part ofarchitecture and the imagery whichoften stays in a culture for thousandsof years? How is a deity and religiousiconography born? Here is an exerciseto help you think of this 6. In India, there is a deity foralmost everyone, from everyculture 7. If the god of the Bhimbetka caves WAS Shiva thismeans he is a truly ancient deity but what are hisicons, and what can this tell us about his temples andarchitecture? 8. In every Shiva temple you will find this What is it?It is called a ShivalingaAre thereany clues tosuggest thisreligion mayhavestarted incaves?