Step into certain spaces, and you feel it instantly. Some calm you, some energise you, while others feel grounding and centring. This is more than aesthetics—it’s the rhythm of the architecture, the subtle flow of energy that shapes our experience. In Indian temple design, this principle is made tangible. There’s a fascinating alignment between the human body’s chakras—energy centers described in yogic traditions—and the way sacred architecture is planned.
From the towering gopuram at the entrance to the vimana crowning the sanctum, temples are carefully orchestrated journeys of movement, energy, and focus. Vastu Shastra, the traditional science of architecture, is not just a rulebook—it’s about harmony, alignment, and wellbeing.
Muladhara – The Root of Stability
Body: Base of the spine
Temple: Gopuram (Entrance)
The gopuram, the first thing a devotee sees, anchors the temple to the earth, much like the Muladhara chakra stabilizes human energy. In Vastu, this translates to strong foundations, careful site orientation, and a sense of arrival. The entrance prepares the visitor for the journey ahead, grounding them physically and mentally before they step inside.
Architectural Meaning: Establishing stability through foundation, orientation, and massing.
Svadhisthana – Movement and Flow
Body: Lower abdomen
Temple: Dhwajastambha (Flagstaff Axis)
The sacral chakra governs creativity, desire, and fluidity. In a temple, this energy is reflected in circulation—the way devotees move through space, guided naturally from one area to the next. Corridors, open paths, and visual cues invite curiosity, creating a smooth, engaging flow without forcing movement.
Architectural Meaning: Transitional zones, layered experiences, and circulation planning.
Manipura – Action and Transformation
Body: Navel
Temple: Mandapa (Pillared Hall)
The Mandapa is the social and ritual heart of a temple. Like the solar plexus chakra, it’s where energy gathers, transforms, and radiates outward. It accommodates interaction, collective ritual, and ceremony, making it a hub of human and spiritual activity.
Architectural Meaning: Public gathering spaces that channel energy and interaction.
Anahata – The Heart of Balance
Body: Center of the chest
Temple: Antarala (Intermediate Chamber)
The heart chakra connects the physical and spiritual realms. In temple design, the Antarala forms the bridge between communal halls and the intimate sanctum. It’s a transitional pause—a moment of stillness and reflection before approaching the core.
Architectural Meaning: Courtyards, buffer zones, or pause points that balance energy flow.
Vishuddha – Expression and Clarity
Body: Throat
Temple: Garbhagriha Entry Zone
The throat chakra governs clarity, expression, and preparation. The entry zone of the sanctum must filter distractions and create focus. It’s a subtle space where architecture begins to guide inner attention, preparing the devotee for contemplation.
Architectural Meaning: Thresholds, narrow passages, or niches designed to regulate sensory experience.
Ajna – Insight and Intuition
Body: Between the eyebrows
Temple: Garbhagriha (Sanctum)
The Ajna or third eye chakra represents perception and insight. The garbhagriha is the sacred core where the deity resides, dark, intimate, and inward-focused. It encourages introspection and heightened awareness, guiding spiritual attention inward.
Architectural Meaning: Sanctums, meditation spaces, or intentionally inward-facing areas.
Sahasrara – Union and Transcendence
Body: Crown of the head
Temple: Vimana (Shikhara/Spire)
The crown chakra connects to the infinite. The vimana rises above the sanctum, marking the temple in the skyline. It symbolizes aspiration, verticality, and a connection between the earthly and the divine. This architectural gesture completes the journey, elevating the spirit and the form.
Architectural Meaning: Roofs, spires, or domes that provide vertical emphasis and symbolism.
The Bindu: Transcendence Beyond Form
Some temples include a bindu, the point beyond duality. Often represented by the kalasha or finial atop the spire, it signifies completeness and the ultimate union of energy. It’s a subtle reminder that architecture can echo metaphysical principles, extending the journey of space beyond the tangible.
Architectural Meaning: Crowning elements or symbols representing unity and completion.
Designing with Energy
Vastu is often treated as a checklist, applied after the plan is ready. But temple architecture shows it as a rhythm, a pulse that guides the entire design process. Each space is calibrated to channel energy thoughtfully—from entrance to sanctum, from community halls to private corners.
In a modern context, this approach reminds us that design isn’t only functional. When done with awareness, architecture becomes a journey—a quiet yoga of form and movement, where the outer environment mirrors inner balance.
The Sthapati tradition of India knew this instinctively: architecture reflects human energy. Foundations, corridors, thresholds, and spires are not arbitrary—they are choreography for the body, mind, and spirit. By observing these principles, architects can create spaces that feel alive, purposeful, and harmonious, long after the rituals are over.
