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Temple architecture constitutes a significant part of India's cultural heritage, in this context throw light on the various types of temple architecture in India. (250 words)

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Shilpa-shastra recognizes three styles and its geographical distribution in Temple Architecture. They are

  1. Nagara Style - Northern Style
  2. Dravidian Style - Southern Style
  3. Vesara Style - region between north and south

The richness in cultural heritage is reflected in the temple architecture of India. The size, material and type of construction depended on the technological sophistication and Economic power of the Empire.

Temple architecture in the north emerged and reached its climax during the Gupta period (Golden age of Indian Architecture). Gupta Architecture progressed in 5 stages which acted as a precursor to Nagara Style. 3 subschools emerged under Nagara style

  1. Odisha School -Kalinga Empire
    1. Sun Temple, Konark
    2. Jagannath Temple, Puri
    3. Lingaraj Temple, Bhubaneswar
  2. Khajuraho School - Chandela Rulers
    1. Kandariya Mahadeva
    2. Lakshman Temple, Khajuraho
  3. Solanki School - Solanki rulers of Gujarat and Rajasthan
    1. Modhera Sun Temple
Table of Contents hide
1 Features of Nagara Architecture and sub-schools
2 Dravidian Style
3 Feature of Chola Style or Dravidian Style
4 Sub-schools / Related schools of Dravidian Style

Features of Nagara Architecture and sub-schools

  1. Kalash
  2. Amalak
  3. Shikhara - 3 types
    1. Latina or rekha-prasad a.k.a rekhaduel in Odisha Style
    2. Phamsana
    3. Valabhi
  4. Garbagriha or Sanctum Sanctorum
  5. Garbagriha guarded by Ganga and Yamuna
  6. Mandapa or Hall a.k.a Jagmohans in Odisha School
    1. Mahamandapa
    2. Mandapa
    3. Arthamandapa
  7. Antarala - Vestibular tube connecting mandapa and garbhagriha
    1. Present in Khajuraho School
  8. Pradakshinapatha or circum-ambulatory
  9. Panchayatan Style
  10. Boundary Walls and elaborate gateways
    1. Usually absent except in Odisha Style
  11. Interior and exterior decoration
    1. Only exterior decoration in Odisha Style
    2. Both side decoration in Khajuraho Style
    3. Devoid of decoration in Solanki Style but porticos have decorative arched gateways called torans.
  12. Tanks
    1. Usually absent unlike Dravida style
    2. But step-tanks called Surya Kund in Solanki Style

Dravidian Style

Temple architecture of south India began under Pallava Ruler Mahendravaraman and progressed over 4 stages and reached its climax during Chola period what came to be known as Dravidian Style.

Feature of Chola Style or Dravidian Style

  1. Shikhara ( Kalash Equivalent)
  2. Vimana ( Nagara's Shikhara Equivalent)
    1. Stepped pyramid Shape
    2. Only one Vimana i.e subsidiary shrines don't have Vimana unlike Nagara Style
  3. Garbhagriha is connected to Mandapa by Antarala
  4. Garbhagriha guarded by Dwaarpal (Mithun & Yakshas) instead of Ganga & Yamuna
  5. Presence of Water tank or reservoir
  6. Elaborate and decorated gopuram in the Entrance
  7. E.g
    1. Brahadeshwara temple, Tanjore
    2. Gangaikondacholapuram, Ariyalur

Sub-schools / Related schools of Dravidian Style

  1. Pallava Style - Precursor to Dravidian Style
    1. Mahendra Varaman Group - Rock-cut Temple
    2. Narasimha Varman Group - Pancha-rathas, Mahabalipuram
    3. Rajsimha Varman Group
      1. Shore Temple, Mahabalipuram
      2. Kailashnath Temple, Kanchipuram
    4. Nandivarman Group
      1. Smaller sized Dravidian Temples
  2. Chola Style - a.k.a Dravida Style
    1. Brahadeshwara temple, Tanjore by Raja Raja 1
    2. Gangaikondacholapuram, Ariyalur by Rajendra 1
  3. Nayaka School or Madurai School - under Nayaka Rulers
    1. Meenakshi Temple, Madurai
      1. Tallest Gopuram in the World
      2. Huge corridors or Prakarns
      3. Intricate Carvings
  4. Vijayanagara School - Dravidian School + Influence of Islamic Architecture
    1. Defense Architecture - Seven layers of fortification with watchtowers and huge gates
    2. Religious Architecture
      1. Gopurams on all four sides unlike one side in Dravidian style
      2. More than one mandapas
      3. Central Mandapas is called Kalyan Mandap
      4. 100s and 1000s of pillars in Mandap
      5. Highly decorated with carvings and geometrical patterns
      6. Monolithic carving of Nadhi
      7. E.g
        1. Vittalaswami temple & Hazra temples at Hampi
        2. Vardraja and Ekambarnatha temples at Kanchipuram and Chidambaram temples
    3. Secular Building
      1. Secular Building inside temple premises
    4. Civilian Architecture
      1. Lotus Mahal, Queens Bath