π Chapter 02 Β· Topic 01 Β· Temple Architecture
Nagara Style of Temple Architecture
Shikhara types (rekha, phamsana, latina), garbhagriha, mandapa, sub-styles (Odisha, Solanki, Chandela), major examples β complete UPSC & PSC notes.
π Overview of Nagara Style
- The Nagara style (also called North Indian or Indo-Aryan style) is the dominant temple architecture tradition of northern India
- Developed from the Gupta period (4thβ6th century CE) onwards
- Prevalent in the region from the Himalayas to the Vindhyas (roughly north of the Deccan)
- Key feature: the shikhara (curvilinear tower) over the garbhagriha (sanctum sanctorum)
- The temple is built on a raised platform (jagati or adhisthana)
- No large enclosure walls or gopurams (unlike Dravidian style)
ποΈ Key Components of a Nagara Temple
| Component | Description |
|---|---|
| Garbhagriha | Sanctum sanctorum β innermost chamber housing the main deity; dark, womb-like space |
| Shikhara | Curvilinear tower above the garbhagriha; the most distinctive feature of Nagara style |
| Mandapa | Pillared hall in front of the garbhagriha; for worshippers to gather; may be open or closed |
| Antarala | Vestibule connecting the garbhagriha and mandapa |
| Pradakshina patha | Circumambulatory passage around the garbhagriha |
| Jagati/Adhisthana | Raised platform on which the temple stands |
| Amalaka | Ribbed disc-like element at the top of the shikhara |
| Kalasha | Pot-like finial at the very top of the shikhara |
π Types of Shikhara (Nagara Sub-styles)
- Rekha/Latina shikhara β straight-sided curvilinear tower; most common; found in Odisha and Rajasthan styles
- Phamsana shikhara β shorter, broader, with a flat top; found in mandapas and subsidiary shrines
- Valabhi shikhara β barrel-vaulted roof; rectangular plan; found in Gujarat and Rajasthan
- Sekhari shikhara β clustered tower with multiple miniature shikharas (urushringas) attached; found in Chandela temples (Khajuraho)
ποΈ Regional Sub-styles of Nagara Architecture
| Sub-style | Region | Key Features | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| Odisha (Kalinga) style | Odisha | Vertical rekha deul (shikhara); jagamohana (mandapa); natamandira; bhogamandapa; elaborate carvings | Lingaraja (Bhubaneswar), Jagannath (Puri), Konark Sun Temple |
| Chandela style | Madhya Pradesh | Sekhari shikhara; temples on high platforms; erotic sculptures; dense carvings | Khajuraho temples (Kandariya Mahadeva) |
| Solanki (Maru-Gurjara) style | Gujarat, Rajasthan | Elaborate carvings; torana (ornamental gateway); stepwells (vav) | Modhera Sun Temple, Dilwara Jain temples (Mt. Abu) |
| Pratihara style | Rajasthan, UP | Early Nagara; simpler forms | Osian temples (Rajasthan) |
β Konark Sun Temple (Odisha): Built by King Narasimhadeva I of the Eastern Ganga dynasty (~1250 CE). Designed as a colossal chariot of the Sun God (Surya) with 24 wheels and 7 horses. UNESCO World Heritage Site. The main shikhara (deul) has collapsed; the jagamohana (audience hall) still stands. Famous for its erotic sculptures and intricate stone carvings. Called the “Black Pagoda” by European sailors.
ποΈ Major Nagara Temples β Quick Reference
| Temple | Location | Dynasty | Deity | Special Feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lingaraja Temple | Bhubaneswar, Odisha | Somavamshi | Shiva (Tribhuvaneswar) | Tallest temple in Bhubaneswar (55 m); classic Kalinga style |
| Jagannath Temple | Puri, Odisha | Eastern Ganga | Jagannath (Vishnu) | Rath Yatra; one of Char Dham |
| Konark Sun Temple | Konark, Odisha | Eastern Ganga | Surya | UNESCO; chariot design; 24 wheels |
| Kandariya Mahadeva | Khajuraho, MP | Chandela | Shiva | UNESCO; tallest at Khajuraho (31 m); erotic sculptures |
| Somnath Temple | Gujarat | Various (rebuilt) | Shiva | One of 12 Jyotirlingas; rebuilt 7 times |
| Modhera Sun Temple | Gujarat | Solanki | Surya | No roof; intricate carvings; stepwell |
| Dilwara Jain Temples | Mt. Abu, Rajasthan | Solanki | Jain Tirthankaras | White marble; intricate carvings; Vimal Vasahi (1031 CE) |
π Khajuraho Temples: Built by the Chandela dynasty (9thβ11th century CE) in Madhya Pradesh. Originally 85 temples; 25 survive. UNESCO World Heritage Site (1986). Famous for erotic sculptures (mithuna figures) on the outer walls β representing ~10% of total carvings. The remaining 90% depict gods, goddesses, apsaras, and daily life. The erotic sculptures are interpreted as: tantric symbolism, worldly pleasures before entering the sacred space, or astrological protection.
β Revision Checklist β Nagara Style
β
Nagara style = North India = Himalayas to Vindhyas = curvilinear shikhara
β Key components = garbhagriha + shikhara + mandapa + antarala + jagati
β Amalaka = ribbed disc at top of shikhara; Kalasha = pot finial
β Rekha/Latina = straight curvilinear shikhara = Odisha style
β Sekhari = clustered shikhara = Chandela style (Khajuraho)
β Odisha (Kalinga) style = deul + jagamohana + natamandira
β Lingaraja = Bhubaneswar = Somavamshi = 55 m tall
β Konark = Eastern Ganga = Narasimhadeva I = UNESCO = chariot design = 24 wheels
β Khajuraho = Chandela = UNESCO = erotic sculptures = Kandariya Mahadeva
β Dilwara = Mt. Abu = Solanki = white marble = Vimal Vasahi (1031 CE)
β Modhera Sun Temple = Gujarat = Solanki = no roof
β Key components = garbhagriha + shikhara + mandapa + antarala + jagati
β Amalaka = ribbed disc at top of shikhara; Kalasha = pot finial
β Rekha/Latina = straight curvilinear shikhara = Odisha style
β Sekhari = clustered shikhara = Chandela style (Khajuraho)
β Odisha (Kalinga) style = deul + jagamohana + natamandira
β Lingaraja = Bhubaneswar = Somavamshi = 55 m tall
β Konark = Eastern Ganga = Narasimhadeva I = UNESCO = chariot design = 24 wheels
β Khajuraho = Chandela = UNESCO = erotic sculptures = Kandariya Mahadeva
β Dilwara = Mt. Abu = Solanki = white marble = Vimal Vasahi (1031 CE)
β Modhera Sun Temple = Gujarat = Solanki = no roof