Thousands of temples were built in South Asia between AD 600 and 1200. They were made to house images of the gods, most typically Vishnu and Śiva. Both were used as metaphors for royal power. Vishnu’s crown indicates his royal status and emphasises his role as a universal preserver, one of the duties of medieval kings. Śiva’s mythological power also served royal ends, especially the god’s ability to grant dominion and wealth to his worshippers.

A key feature of Indian images is that they were seen as sentient beings. Temple gods had rights to the things presented to them in the course of worship – flowers, incense, lamps – and were understood to enjoy these offerings. In return they provided blessings and rebirth in heaven. As legally sentient beings the gods also received and held gifts of land. This made them a key feature of the medieval economy as temple gods accumulated vast estates during this period.

Gods were established in temples through elaborate rituals which were understood as transforming artistic representations into actual living gods. This was achieved principally through a rite known as prāna pratishta – the establishment of life breath.