Buddhist and Hindu temples

Given the age of Buddhism - around 500 BCE, and the age of Hinduism - closer to 2000 BCE, it is normal to assume that Hindu temples in India are older than Buddhist temples. That is not necessarily the case, however.

Buddhist temples in India have a longer history - many of them having been build between 3rd century BCE and 4th century CE. Hindu temples started being built at about this time.

The early Hindu temples - from the 5th to the 7th century were rock-cut - e.g. the Ellora temples (patterned after Ajanta temples).

Later temples - between 8th and 18th century BCE were built as structural temples.

So, the question comes up - what did the Hindus pray in, for the first 2500 or so years of their existence. Apparently, they were fire worshipers, and all they needed was a vedi to light a yagya (also pronounced yajna) fire.

The other interesting fact about these temples was that many of the early temples were financed through contributions from a large number of people. Often, but not always, the rulers were included among the contributors. Business people and even monks and nuns contributed money for the building of temples. Elephanta caves near Mumbai are a good example - both, in being rock-cut, and in being financed through contributions. An early indication of the separation of church and state, perhaps.