There are two prototypes for Hindu temples. (1) Mountain and (2) Chariot.
The temple built like a mountain is associated with the highest elevation on earth and points towards the sky which is infinity. The Gods of all religions always live on the top of mountains, or appear on mountains or preach from mountains. So it is a universal symbol of the sacred place in all mythologies.
The chariot is a metaphor for the body - the passenger is you, the driver is your mind and the horses are your senses. (This is also the symbolism behind the Gita being taught in a chariot on the field of battle.)
So in the temple - the deity is reflection of You (hence it is called a bimba which means “reflection”) - your higher Self and so when you enter a temple to have darshan (a vision) you are coming face to face with your true Self - it is an enactment of Self-realisation.
temple as mountain.
The temple tower (vimāna) is also associated with the body of the deity. So the temple itself is the deity as well as the icon in the sanctum (garbha-griha) - analogous to the cosmos being the “body” of the Divine as it were as well as being the inner-Self (antaryāmin).
Konark Sun temple is an excellent example of the temple built like a chariot.
Angkor Wat is another perfect example of the mountain peak motif.
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