Dynasties of Devotion: Unveiling the Sacred Splendor of Ancient Temples By Deepa Mandlik | Translated by Aboli Mandlik

In Dynasties of Devotion, acclaimed writer Deepa Mandlik embarks on a richly evocative journey through seven iconic temples in India and Cambodia. From the awe-inspiring Kailasa Temple at Ellora, where the Goddess Lakshmi is serenely depicted amid symbols of abundance, to the musical steps of the Airavatesvara Temple in Tamil Nadu that sing the seven swaras, Mandlik uncovers the mythological stories, royal ambitions, and artistic brilliance embedded in these architectural marvels.

Deepa Mandlik takes readers on a journey through time, revealing how ambitious kings transformed spiritual devotion into architectural marvels that continue to inspire awe today. With accessible prose and rich visual descriptions, this book brings ancient stones to life, telling the human stories behind these magnificent structures.

Weaving history with personal insight, she explores the living legacy of the Brihadeeswara Temples, the Chennakeshava Temple in Karnataka, the Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Kerala, and the grandeur of Angkor Wat and Bayon in Cambodia—each representing dynasties that shaped spiritual and cultural consciousness across a continent.

Deepa Mandlik

From the divine symbolism of Lakshmi at Ellora’s Kailasa Temple to the vibrant legacy of Bharatanatyam at the Brihadeeswara Temple, the book brings to life centuries of devotion, art, and history. A compelling blend of mythology and architecture, this book is a rich tribute to the temples as living institutions that have shaped—and continue to shape—the spiritual and cultural fabric of South Asia.

For centuries, temples across India and Southeast Asia have stood not only as sacred places of worship, but also as vital cultural epicenters—where music, dance, philosophy, and art intertwined with divine devotion.

The book, Dynasties of Devotion, can be called a pilgrimage in prose. Like a time traveller, Deepa Mandlik explores seven iconic Hindu temples—six in South India and one in Cambodia. Her narrative goes beyond architecture, delving into the historical, political and cultural milieu of the eras gone by.

With a foreword by renowned art historian Dr. G.B. Deglurkar and breathtaking visual inserts, this book is at once a scholarly reference, a cultural travelogue, and a celebration of heritage. It is perfect for history lovers, spiritual seekers, architecture enthusiasts, and curious travellers alike.

‘Dynasties of Devotion’, the English translation of her book ‘Parakrami Hindu Rajanchi Adwitiya Mandire’ published by HarperCollins holds significance due to her unique approach to exploring the intersection of history, art, and spirituality, through the lens of ancient temples.

~StoryBerrys