The act of building a Temple is wonderful in that it combines the punya obtained from performing a sacrifice with the punya obtained from constructing public works like wells. Those who erect temples attain heaven after their death.

Surroundings 

Gods prefer to stay in beautiful surroundings, amidst lakes, wells, flowers and trees and in places where the melodious notes of swans can be heard. Temples dedicated to gods should also therefore be aesthetically pleasing. They have to be constructed with care.

Quality of Land 

All types of land are not suitable for building temples. Land where objects like hair, bones, coal, lime, husks and the like are found should be rejected as sites for temples. Ground that accepts all kinds of seeds and moreover makes the sound of a cloud or drum when struck, is acceptable.

Different types of land are appropriate for the construction of temples by members of different classes (varna). The brahmanas constitute the first of the four classes and white earth is suitable for them. The second, third and fourth classes are respectively Kshatriyas, Vaishyas and Shudras. Kshatriyas should build temples on red earth, vaishyas on yellow earth and shudras on black earth.

The quality of the ground needs to be tested before a temple is built. To test this, a pit should be dug in the earth. The pit should then be refilled with the earth that has been dug out. If the pit is filled and there is some extra earth that is left over, the land is of superior quality (uttama) and a temple can be built on that land. If the pit is just filled and there is no extra earth that is left over, the land is medium quality(madhyama). A temple could be built on that land, although such a construction is not recommended. If the excavated earth cannot fill the pit, the land is of inferior quality (adhama) and a temple should never be built on that land.

Particular care must be taken in building a temple dedicated to Surya (Sun). The gate should always face the east. If this is not possible, the gate should face the west. There should be a bath to the south of the main temple, and a place for worshipping the fire to the north. Temples dedicated to Shiva, Brahma and Vishnu should respectively be erected to the north, the east and the west of the Surya’s temple. Shrines to minor divinities can be built all around. All of this constitute the temple complex, which should also include a seat reserved for a reciter of the puranas.

According to Vishvakarma, the architect of the gods, there are 3000 different kinds of structures that can be used for building temples.

-BHAVISHYA PURANA