Sources & Methodology
Sacred Places India is built on a foundation of historical rigor and architectural precision. Our goal is to provide a verified digital archive that serves researchers, students, and heritage enthusiasts with high-fidelity information.
Data Collection Process
Our data collection begins with official government records and primary architectural surveys. We prioritize data points such as dynasty affiliation, construction centuries, and architectural styles that are cross-referenced across multiple authoritative repositories.
Verification Process
Every entry in our database undergoes a multi-step verification protocol. Historical claims are matched against epigraphical evidence (inscriptions) and archaeological reports. When conflicting dates exist, we provide the most widely accepted scholarly consensus while noting alternatives.
Source Categories
Primary Records
Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) reports, temple inscriptions, and site survey records.
Heritage Archives
UNESCO World Heritage Centre documentation, ICOMOS evaluation files, and state heritage departments.
Academic Research
Peer-reviewed journals in art history, South Asian studies, and architectural archaeology.
Content Methodology
Our content is structured to provide both a general overview and deep technical insights. We follow a strict hierarchy of information:
- Historical Accuracy: Prioritizing evidence-based history over legendary narratives (though mythology is preserved as a separate cultural dimension).
- Architectural Taxonomy: Using standard terminology (Nagara, Dravida, Vesara, etc.) as defined by the Archaeological Survey of India.
- Educational Focus: Structuring data to support students and competitive exam aspirants (UPSC/SSC) with verified facts.
- Visual Fidelity: Using high-resolution, verified images that accurately represent the current state of the monument.
Named sources we cite
Rather than describing source categories, these are the specific institutions and records we actually cite. Where a page relies on one of them, that source is listed in the page's own "Sources & References" block with a link.
Archaeological Survey of India
Site reports, protected-monument records, excavation and conservation documentation.
Visit sourceUNESCO World Heritage Centre
World Heritage List entries, nomination files and ICOMOS evaluations for inscribed sites.
Visit sourceState archaeology and tourism departments
Opening hours, entry rules, permits and state-level heritage records.
Visit sourceTemple trusts and administrations
Timings, festival calendars, darshan and seva rules published by the temple itself.
Peer-reviewed scholarship
Art history, epigraphy and architectural archaeology journals, plus standard reference works on Indian temple architecture.
What we do not do
- We do not invent citations, authors, publication dates or quotations to make a page look better referenced.
- We do not present a temple's mythology or sacred narrative as verified history; those accounts are labelled as belief on the page itself.
- We do not display a "last verified" date that we have not actually recorded for that page.
- We do not publish a visitor rule (timings, fees, dress code, photography) as settled fact without noting that the temple authority should be checked before travel.
Related policies
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