Hindu temple sculpture was evolved with the rise of the Magadha Empire in India. Till then it was nature worship and Buddhism dominated the sub-continent. Stone sculptures decorate the interiors and the exteriors of the sophisticated temples; later temples are completely covered with sculpture.
Famous Hindu Temple Sculpture The Gupta Empire encouraged a cultural florescence. There were two main artistic centres for sculpture production: Sarnath produced images with clinging material while Mathura created images with patterns of string folds in the material.
Most of the sculptures and monuments in south India dated from the 7th through the 9th centuries. They are associated with important dynasties: the Pallavas and the Pandyas, both of them were Hindus. The sculpture of Brihadisvara Temple, Hampi and the sculpture of Mukteshvara temple are some of the finest specimens of Hindu temple sculpture.
Chola rulers also constructed enormous stone temple complexes decorated inside and out with painted and sculpted representations of the Hindu gods.Read more : Hindu Temple Sculpture
