The garbhagriha is the innermost, holiest chamber of a Hindu temple, in which the main image of the deity is housed. The name literally means “womb chamber” and refers to the idea of an origin or birthplace of the divine.
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The garbhagriha forms the heart of the temple and governs the entire layout of the building. It is usually a small, square and deliberately dark chamber without windows. The darkness emphasises the enclosure and mystery of the deity; only the light of oil lamps illuminates the image. At its centre stands the main cult image (murti) of the god to whom the temple is dedicated.
Above the garbhagriha rises the most important temple tower, which crowns the sacred space:
- In North India this tower is called the shikhara — a tall, curved tower form that tapers to a point.
- In South India it is known as the vimana — a more stepped, pyramidal tower above the sanctuary.
Its position directly beneath the highest tower marks the garbhagriha as the vertical and symbolic centre of the structure.
Around or in front of the garbhagriha there are often additional spaces, such as a circumambulation passage (pradakshina-patha) along which worshippers make ritual rounds, and one or more halls (mandapa) for gathering and worship. Usually only priests enter the garbhagriha itself.
The symbolism of the womb makes the garbhagriha the place where the divine is “born” and present — the smallest yet most meaningful chamber of the entire temple.
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