This research paper analyses architectural languages employed in designing contemporary Hindu temples in India. Several temples, designed and built in contemporary times, continue with the traditional languages of Indian temple architecture. However, there are others which depart from the traditional in various degrees and ways. The research argues that two distinct new architectural languages may be witnessed in these departures, which are identified as Modernist and Post-Modernist – the latter, in turn, revisiting the relevance of the Post-Modern in contemporary Indian architecture. The analysis inspects the differing ‘design paradigms’ – consisting of intentions, which are manifested by adopting particular strategies, and employing a selection of suitable tropes. This conceptual framework of analysis is an original contribution of the paper. The interpretive and argumentative investigation involves selected illustrative case studies, and employs primary visual appraisals, interviews, as well as material available from secondary sources. The characteristics of the languages are established through the research findings and are presented through a comparative matrix indicating the salient features. In the process, the research revisits some existing critical analyses, and, at times, reinterprets and supplements them.