The development of Vaishnavism and Shaivism from the second century BCE onwards led to significant advancements in sculpture and architecture. In Vaishnavism, cults developed around various avatars or incarnations of the deity. Ten avatars were recognized, believed to be forms assumed to save the world from disorder and destruction caused by evil forces. Recognizing local deities as forms of Vishnu helped create a unified religious tradition, and these forms were represented in sculptures.

In Shaivism, Shiva was symbolized by the linga, though he was occasionally represented in human form as well. Sculptures depicted complex ideas about deities and their attributes through symbols such as head-dresses, ornaments, and ayudhas (weapons or auspicious objects held in hands), as well as the posture of the deity. For instance, a sculpture from Deogarh (c. fifth century CE) depicts Vishnu reclining on the serpent Sheshnag.

Architecturally, the earliest temples appeared around the third century CE. These structures featured a small room known as the garbhagriha, which housed the deity. A tall structure called the shikhara was built over the central shrine, and temple walls were often decorated with sculpture. Later, temple architecture became more elaborate, incorporating assembly halls, huge walls, gateways, and arrangements for water supply. A unique feature of early temples was that some were hollowed out of huge rocks as artificial caves, continuing an old tradition. The temple at Deogarh illustrates the remains of the shikhara and the entrance to the garbhagriha.