Book Review: Dynasties of Devotion by Deepa Mandlik

Dynasties of Devotion: The Secrets of 7 Iconic Hindu Temples, written by Deepa Mandlik and translated from Marathi by Aboli Mandlik.

The reason I chose this book is because of its title and the majestic cover image of the Shree Padmanabhaswamy Temple. Being a Hindu, I truly adore temples and the positive vibes I feel when visiting them. If there's a book that talks about the iconic temples of India—and especially if it features South Indian temples—it automatically makes its way onto my reading list. That’s exactly how I picked this book.

Now let’s talk about the content of this beautiful work. This book takes us on a journey through seven iconic temples—six from India and one from Cambodia. The temples mentioned in this book are: the Kailasa Cave Temple, the Brihadeeswara Temple at Thanjavur, the Brihadeeswara Temple at Gangaikondacholapuram, the Airavatesvara Temple, Hindu Temples in Cambodia, the Chennakeshava Temple, and the Padmanabhaswamy Temple.

These are the seven temples that the author personally visited, and her journey—along with the dynasties that built and ruled around them—is covered in detail and with precision. I really liked how each chapter followed a consistent format: it starts with basic information about the temple such as location and how the author traveled there, followed by insights into the heritage and historical significance of the site. Then it moves on to the dynasties and rulers—who built the temple and when. After that comes the most treasured part of the book: the temple’s beauty, divinity, architecture, sculptural brilliance, and more.

When I read the parts where the author describes the temple’s beauty and her personal experiences visiting them, it felt like I was traveling alongside her. Some descriptions were so vivid and precise that I got goosebumps while reading.

I also appreciate the author's choice of temples. She didn’t stick to just the famous ones; she also visited hidden gems and treasures like Gangaikondacholapuram and The Airavatesvara Temple. These temples hold immense heritage value but are less known to the world. The author beautifully captured not only their historical importance but also their cultural and sculptural magnificence through her journey.

How can I not mention the beautiful pictures of each temple included in every chapter? The full image of Brihadeeswara Temple at Thanjavur is a visual treat. I also loved seeing the iconic staircase of Gangaikondacholapuram Temple—a location that has appeared in many period films.

Overall, I loved everything about this book. But if I had to pick a favorite, it would be the chapter on the Padmanabhaswamy Temple. It was so gripping and fascinating that it made me want to visit the temple myself and witness its grandeur in person.

If I start ranting more about this book and these temples, I’ll never stop—so I’ll end it here. Also, if you’re wondering why I didn’t include detailed descriptions of each chapter in this review—it’s because that’s the actual content of the book. Read it yourself to experience the same beauty and wonder that I did.

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