Temple Architecture

TEMPLE ARCHITECTURE
 One important part of the ancient Indian temples was their

decoration.
 It is reflected in the multitude details of figured sculpture
as well as in the architectural elements.
 Another important component of Indian temples was the
garbha-griha or the womb chamber, housing the deity of
the temple.
 The garbha-griha was provided with a circumambulation
passage around.
 In the initial stages of its evolution, the temples of North
and South India were distinguished on the basis of some
specific features like sikhara and gateways.
 In the north Indian temples, the sikhara remained the most
prominent component while the gateway was generally
unassuming.
Design
The four essential and significant principles which are also
aims of human life according to Indian philosophy are the
quests for
(i) artha - wealth and prosperity;
(ii) kama - sex and pleasure;
(iii) dharma - moral life and virtues;
(iv) moksha - self knowledge and realisation
The Hindu temples suggest contemplations, encouragement

and further purification of mind and prompt the process of
self-realisation in devotees
Site
 The areas of Hindu temple sites are usually vast with
many of them built near water bodies, in the lap of nature
 Leading Hindu temples are suggested near natural water
bodies like confluence of rivers, river banks, seashores and
lakes
Layout
Layout of a Hindu temple pursues a geometrical design
known as vastu-purusha-mandala
The name of which is derived from the three vital
components of the design namely Vastu meaning Vaas or a
place of dwelling; Purusha, meaning the Universal
principle; and Mandala meaning circle
 Silapasastras refer to three major styles of temple
architecture, Nagara, Dravida, and Vesara
 Nagara style is associated with the land between the

Himalayas and Vindhyas.
 Dravida style with the land between the Krishna and

Kaveri rivers
 Vesara style is sometimes associated with the area

between the Vindhyas and the Krishna river.
 NAGARA STYLE :
 The Nagara style has its origin in the structural temples of the
Gupta period, especially the Dashavtara temple of Deogarh
 The plan is square with a number of gradual projections in the
middle of each side which Imparts it a cruciform shape.
 In Nagara style temples, the structure consists of two
buildings, the main shrine taller and an adjoining shorter
mandapa.
 The main difference between these two is the shape of the
shikhara.
 In the main shrine, abell shaped structure further adds to the
height.
 In this style, the temples mainly are formed of four chambers,
first the ‘Garbhagriha’, then second Jagmohan’, third
‘Natyamandir’ and fourth chamber the ‘Bhogamandir’.
 That the prototype of the North Indian temple already existed
in the 6th century can be seen in surviving temples such as the
temple at Deoghar, Bihar state, which has a small,
stunted shikhara over the sanctuary.
 Deoghar, also spelled Deogarh, city, northeastern Jharkhand
state, northeastern India. It is situated on the Ajay River in the
Rajmahal Hills.
Vishnu temple, Deoghar,
Jharkhand, India.
Frederick M. Asher
 In the northern Nagara style, the shikhara takes the shape of a
curvilinear beehive.
 The temple is a square with a number of graduated projections
in the middle of each side, giving a cruciform shape with a
number of re-entrant angles on each side.
 The projections in the plan are also carried upwards to the top of
the shikhara, giving a strong emphasis on vertical lines in
elevation .
• Lingaraj Temple, Bhubaneshwar, Orissa:
• The 11th century Lingaraj Temple is a fine example of the north Indian Nagara
style of temple architecture, marked by its curvilinear, beehive-shaped
shikhara.
 Dravidian temple architecture evolved in South India
predominantly comprise of temples built of sandstone,
soapstone or granite.
 The square-shaped temple called Vimana has one or more
storied pyramidal roof while its cell houses the image or
emblem of the God.
 The Mandapas/Mandapams or porches are built in such a way
that these precede and cover the door that leads to the cell.
 The Gopurams/Gopuras or elaborate gateway-towers or gate-
pyramids encloses the temples.
 The Chaultris or pillared halls employed for different purposes
forms one of the principal and constant features of this style.
 Temple tanks, wells, abodes of priests and other important
buildings form part of this temple style.
 The famous Thanjavur temple of Tamil Nadu typifies this
style.
VESARA STYLE :
 It emerged during early medieval period.
 It is a hybrid style that borrowed from the northern and southern styles. So, it is a
mixture of both Nagara and Dravida styles of temple architecture.
 Temples built in the Deccan under the later Chalukyas of Kalyani and Hoysalas
are considered examples of this style.
 Vesara style reduces the height of the temple towers even though the numbers of
tiers are retained. This is accomplished by reducing the height of individual tiers.
 The semi circular structures of the Buddhist chaityas are also borrowed in this
style, as in the Durga temple of Aihole.

 Many temples in Central India and Deccan have used the Vesara style with
regional modifications.
 The Papanatha temple (680 AD) in particular and someother temples to a lesser
extent located at Pattadakal demonstrate panache for this stylistic overlap‛.

 The trend of merging two styles was started by the Chalukyas of
Badami (500-735 AD) who built temples in a style that was
essentially a mixture of the Nagara and Dravida styles
 Further refined by the Rashtrakutas of Manyakheta (750-983
AD) in Ellora, Chalukyas of Kalyani (983-1195 AD) in
Lakkundi, Dambal, Gadag etc. and epitomized by the Hoysalas
(1000-1330 AD).
 Most of the temples built in Halebid, Belur and Somanathapura
are classified under this style.

Temple Architecture

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What are the main components of ancient Indian temples?

What are the three major styles of temple architecture mentioned in the passage?

TEMPLE ARCHITECTURE

 One important part of the ancient Indian temples was their

The Hindu temples suggest contemplations, encouragement

 Nagara style is associated with the land between the

 Dravida style with the land between the Krishna and

 Vesara style is sometimes associated with the area

 It emerged during early medieval period.

are considered examples of this style.

style, as in the Durga temple of Aihole.

extent located at Pattadakal demonstrate panache for this stylistic overlap‛.

Badami (500-735 AD) who built temples in a style that was

essentially a mixture of the Nagara and Dravida styles

 Further refined by the Rashtrakutas of Manyakheta (750-983

AD) in Ellora, Chalukyas of Kalyani (983-1195 AD) in

Lakkundi, Dambal, Gadag etc. and epitomized by the Hoysalas

 Most of the temples built in Halebid, Belur and Somanathapura

are classified under this style.

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