Temple Architecture of North India (Nagara Style of temple architecture)

Temple Architecture of Ancient India

1.   Temple Architecture in North India

• Evolution of Temples in North
• Nagara Style of Temple Architecture
• Regional Variations of Nagara
• Odisha Style of Temple Architecture
• Chandela Style of Temple Architecture
• Solanki Style of Temple Architecture

2.   Temple Architecture in South India 

• Evolution of Temples in South
• Dravida Style (Dravidian Style) of Temple Architecture
• Regional Variations of Dravida
• Vijaynagar Style of Temple Architecture
• Nayaka Style of Temple Architecture

3.   Other Temple Architecture styles 

• Hoysala Temple Architecture
• Vesara Temple Architecture

Temple Architecture in North India

★  Evolution of Temples in North 

     First Stage -

• Flat Roof square temples were created on the grounded platform (i.e., no stairs or raised platform were used in construction of temples)
• Shallow pillars were used for creating aesthetic of temple.
• Example - Temple no. 17 of Sanchi

Temple no. 17 of Sanchi

     Second Stage -

• Flat roof double storey square temples were created.
• Now temples were created on an upraised platform with stairs.
• Now, indept pillars were used to support the structure.
• Example - Parvati Temple (Nachna Kuthara, MP)

Parvati Temple, MP

     Third Stage -

• In this stage, they continued to use upraised platform and indept pillars but the most important development of this stage was the introduction of curvilinear tower known as 'Shikhar'.
• This stage of the temple gave rise to Nagara Style of Temple Architecture in North India.
• Example - Dashavatar Temple (Deogarh, Jhanshi), Bhitargaon Temple (Kanpur), Bhitari Temple (Ghazipur), etc.

Dashavatar Temple, Deogarh

Bhitargaon Temple, Kanpur

Nagara Style of Temple Architecture

★  Features of Nagara Temple Architecture -

1. Temple is created on an upraised platform known as Jagati.
2. The peculiar feature of Nagara is the presence of curvilinear tower known as Shikhara.
3. Amalak is a horizontal disc above which Finial is placed.
4. The chamber in which the deity is placed is known as Garbhagriha.
5. Panchayatan Style of temple making is followed in many of the Nagara temple (it is an arrangement of one main god along with four subsidiary gods).
6. They follow crucified ground plan.
7. Generally water tank is not created in Nagara temples.

Examples - Dashavatar Temple, Kashi Vishwanath Temple (Varanasi), etc.

Regional Variations in Nagara Style of temple architecture 

1. Odisha style of temple architecture (Kalinga Architectural Style)
2. Chandela/Khajuraho style of temple architecture
3. Solanki Style of temple architecture (Gujarat)

Kalinga Style of temple architecture 

Features of Kalinga Style of temple architecture

• The external walls of the temple is lavishly decorated with integrated paintings but the interior wall of the temple is kept plane.
• Boundary wall is also created in Odisha style of temple architecture.
• The tower of Garbhgriha is known as Devl which is almost vertical till it suddenly starts to bend near the top.
• The prayer hall in Odisha Style of temple is known as Jagamohan.
• In many of the Odisha temples, idols were created from Neem woods.

For example - 

1. Jagannath temple, Puri
2. Lingraj temple, Bhubaneshwar 
3. Sun temple, Konark

Jagannath temple, Puri

Chandela/Khajuraho temple architecture (Bundelkhand of UP & MP)

Features of Chandela Style of temple architecture

• Chandela temples are considered as the climax of Nagara Style of temple architecture.
• It is created on relatively high upraised platform.
• Both the exterior and interior walls were lavishly decorated with intricate carving. 
• The theme of the sculptures is exotic inspired from Kamasutra written by Vatsayayana.
• The peculiar feature of the Chandela temples is the presence of multiple shikhars which gives an impression like mountain ranges.
• All the chambers are connected to each other in east to west direction.
• Not only hindu temples but also jain temples were created in this style.

For example - 

1. Hindu temples - 
1. Kandariya Mahadev temple (Khajuraho, MP)
2. Lakshman temple (Khajuraho, MP)
3. Chausanth yogini temple (Khajuraho, MP)
2. Jain temples -
1. Parsvanath temple (Khajuraho, MP)
2. Ghainta temple (Khajuraho, MP)

Kandariya Mahadev Temple, MP

Solanki Style of temple architecture (Gujarat) 

Features of Solanki Style of temple architecture -

• Solanki temples are known for minimal decoration on both sides of the wall but the Garbhgriha is kept plane.
• Generally, temple is created facing east direction. It is done so because morning sunlight should enter inside the garbhgriha.
• The special feature of Solanki temple architecture is the presence of stepped water tank.
• On each of every step of tank, small replica of temple is created.
• Not only hindu but also jain temples were created in this style.

For example -

1. Hindu temples -
1. Sun temple (Modhera)
2. Somnath temple (Gujarat)
2. Jain temple -
1. Dilwara jain temple (Mt. Abu)

Sun temple, Modhera

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Note - This is my Vision IAS Notes (Vision IAS Class Notes) and Ashutosh Pandey Sir's Public Administration Class notes. I've also added some of the information on my own. 

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