None of the recovered deities have been returned to their temples. These are being retained by ASI in its warehouses in poor conditions ascribing lack of security in temples.

Nigamas and Agamas are branches of Vedas. Nigama refers to the hymns of Vedas. Agamas refer to application of Vedas in temple activities. It is not possible for everyone to follow vedic rituals. By applying them to temple activities, Agamas bring Vedas close to the common man. Agamas are also related to Vastu Sastra Granthas, Puranas and Upanishads also.

Pronounced horizontal lines in the superstructure is the characteristic feature of Dravida Devaalayas. The others are a feature of the Nagara style Devaalayas.

Kumbabhisheka is for the rejuvenation of the energy that was originally invoked within the deity. In the passage of time, several incidents could dilute the energy, e.g a passing bird could have dropped something like a piece of meat etc. Therefore once in 12 years (or 8 years or 16 years also) the rejuvenation of chaitanya of Moolabehra is carried out.

Gayasura Rakshasa, just before being slayed by Mahavishnu prayed that as a penance, he become a Kshetra and that the devotees walk all over him. Thus Gaya is called an Asura Kshetra.

Garbha Gruha is suggestive of the womb of the world. This is where the seed of the temple is planted. This is the Brhama Sthana of the devalaya and is the middle part of the Vastu Purusha Mandala. The main deity will also be insalled here and is the manifestation of the Brahma Tatva.

UruSikaharas are smaller Sikharas that are placed below and around the Sikhara at varying heights. They sometimes also provide structural strength to the main Sikhara. The Kendriya Mahadeva temple at Khajuraho is an example of a Vimanaa with many urusikharas.

Mohammad bin Qasim started the first wave of destruction of Indian temples starting with Mulasthana and Prahaladpuri.

This is the mahadwara or the entrance doorway of the Devaalaya.

Ghazni repeatedly attacked and plundered Somnath temple.

Chidambaram (representing space), Kancheepuram (earth), Thiruvannamalai (representing fire), Tiruvanaikovil (representing water) and Kalahasti (representing sky) are the five panchabhuta linga Kshetras. Kalahasti is in Andhra and the rest are in Tamil Nadu.

The 56-day murajapam culminated in Laksha deepam – the festival of a hundred-thousand lights – on the auspicious day of Makara Sankranti (mid- January). There are two half-yearly “Bhadradeepam” ceremonies and when twelve such had been performed, a murajapam and Lakshadeepam are conducted.

Rig Veda explains the mahatmayam of Prayaga or Ganga and Yamuna rivers. Teerthsnaanam at Prayag fetches Swarga as well as Moksha. Matsyapuranam mentions that teerthayatra is for all humans. Vaman Puranam mentions that teerthayatra gives punya to seven generations of ancestors and descendants and to themselves.

While the invaders used military power to destroy temples, the independent Indian Government has used legal methods to weaken temples and their preservation, such as control of temples, destruction of princely States, takeover of temple lands etc

There are so many examples of villages that have been abandoned after the temple was destroyed. It illustrates the central role temples played in building the economic and social system in a village.