Nagara architecture
A style that embodies the essence of ancient India Nagara architecture, also known as North Indian Temple Architecture, flourished from the 6th to the 13th centuries in the Indian subcontinent. Nagara style has three sub-styles or schools, which differ slightly from each other. The sub-styles or schools are Orissa school, Chandel school and Solanki school.
Key Features:
1. Shikhara: Towering spires that rise above the temple complex.
2. Vimana: Sanctum sanctorum, housing the deity.
3. Mandapa: Assembly halls, often featuring intricate carvings.
4. Torana: Ornate gateways, symbolizing the entrance to the sacred space.
5. Curvilinear Silhouette: Nagara temples are known for their curved, tapering silhouettes.
Types of Nagara Architecture:
1. Rekha Deul: Characterized by a curvilinear tower (shikhara).
2. Pida Deul: Features a pyramidal roof (pidha).
3. Valabhi: A style with a barrel-vaulted roof.
Famous Examples:
1. Kandariya Mahadeva Temple (Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh)
2. Lingaraja Temple (Bhubaneswar, Odisha)
3. Sun Temple (Konark, Odisha)
4. Jagannath Temple (Puri, Odisha)
5. Rani Ki Vav (Patan, Gujarat)
Nagara architecture is a testament to the rich cultural heritage of ancient India, showcasing the country’s expertise in temple building and architectural innovation.
The Chandela school of architecture refers to the style of architecture that developed during the rule of the Chandela dynasty in Central India, particularly in the region of Bundelkhand, from the 9th to the 13th centuries.
Here are some key features and examples:
Characteristics of Chandela School Architecture
1. Nagara Style: The Chandela school is a part of the larger Nagara style of architecture, which is characterized by the use of curved lines, arches, and towers.
2. Use of Sandstone: The Chandela architects used sandstone as the primary building material, which was abundant in the region.
3. Intricate Carvings: The Chandela school is known for its intricate carvings, which adorn the walls, pillars, and ceilings of the temples.
4. Erotic Sculptures: The Chandela temples are famous for their erotic sculptures, which depict various aspects of human life and love.
5. Shikhara: The Chandela temples feature a distinctive shikhara (tower) that rises above the sanctum sanctorum.
Famous Examples of Chandela School Architecture:
1. Khajuraho Group of Monuments: This group of temples, including the Kandariya Mahadev Temple, the Chaunsath Yogini Temple, and the Lakshmana Temple, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a prime example of Chandela architecture.
2. Duladeo Temple: Located in Khajuraho, this temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and features some of the most intricate carvings and erotic sculptures.
3. Chaturbhuj Temple: Located in Orchha, this temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and features a unique blend of Chandela and Bundela architectural styles.
4. Jagadambi Temple: Located in Khajuraho, this temple is dedicated to Goddess Devi and features some of the most beautiful carvings and sculptures.
Influence of Chandela School Architecture
The Chandela school of architecture had a significant influence on the development of Indian architecture, particularly in the regions of Central and Western India. The use of sandstone, intricate carvings, and erotic sculptures became a hallmark of Indian temple architecture. The Chandela style also influenced the development of the Bundela and Rajput architectural styles.
The Solanki school of architecture refers to the style of architecture that developed during the rule of the Solanki dynasty in Gujarat, India, from the 11th to the 13th centuries.
Here are some key features and examples:
Characteristics of Solanki School Architecture
1. Maru-Gurjara Style: The Solanki school is a part of the larger Maru-Gurjara style of architecture, which is characterized by the use of curved lines, arches, and towers.
2. Use of Sandstone and Marble: The Solanki architects used sandstone and marble as the primary building materials, which were abundant in the region.
3. Intricate Carvings: The Solanki school is known for its intricate carvings, which adorn the walls, pillars, and ceilings of the temples.
4. Ceiling Decoration: The Solanki temples feature elaborate ceiling decorations, including intricate carvings and ornate designs.
5. Shikhara: The Solanki temples feature a distinctive shikhara (tower) that rises above the sanctum sanctorum.
Famous Examples of Solanki School Architecture:
1. Modhera Sun Temple: Located in Mehsana, Gujarat, this temple is dedicated to Lord Surya and features some of the most intricate carvings and ornate designs.
2. Somnath Temple: Located in Veraval, Gujarat, this temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and features a unique blend of Solanki and Chaulukya architectural styles.
3. Dilwara Temples: Located in Mount Abu, Rajasthan, this group of temples is dedicated to Lord Adinath and features some of the most intricate carvings and ornate designs.
4. Rani ki vav: Located in Patan, Gujarat, this stepwell is dedicated to Queen Udayamati and features some of the most intricate carvings and ornate designs.
Influence of Solanki School Architecture
The Solanki school of architecture had a significant influence on the development of Indian architecture, particularly in the regions of Gujarat and Rajasthan. The use of sandstone and marble, intricate carvings, and ceiling decorations became a hallmark of Indian temple architecture. The Solanki style also influenced the development of the Chaulukya and Vaghela architectural styles.
The Kalinga school of architecture refers to the style of architecture that developed in the Kalinga region (present-day Odisha, India) from the 7th to the 13th centuries. Here are some key features and examples:
Characteristics of Kalinga School Architecture
1. Rekha Deula: The Kalinga school is characterized by the use of Rekha Deula, a type of temple tower that is curved and tapered.
2. Pitha Deula: The Kalinga school also features Pitha Deula, a type of temple tower that is square or rectangular in shape.
3. Use of Laterite and Sandstone: The Kalinga architects used laterite and sandstone as the primary building materials.
4. Intricate Carvings: The Kalinga school is known for its intricate carvings, which adorn the walls, pillars, and ceilings of the temples.
5. Relief Sculptures: The Kalinga school features relief sculptures that depict various scenes from Hindu mythology.
Famous Examples of Kalinga School Architecture
1. Konark Sun Temple: Located in Konark, Odisha, this temple is dedicated to Lord Surya and features some of the most intricate carvings and relief sculptures.
2. Puri Jagannath Temple: Located in Puri, Odisha, this temple is dedicated to Lord Jagannath and features a unique blend of Kalinga and Odia architectural styles.
3. Lingaraj Temple: Located in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, this temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and features some of the most intricate carvings and relief sculptures.
4. Mukteshvara Temple: Located in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, this temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and features some of the most intricate carvings and relief sculptures.
5. Rajarani Temple: Located in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, this temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and features some of the most intricate carvings and relief sculptures.
Influence of Kalinga School Architecture
The Kalinga school of architecture had a significant influence on the development of Indian architecture, particularly in the regions of Odisha and Bengal. The use of laterite and sandstone, intricate carvings, and relief sculptures became a hallmark of Indian temple architecture. The Kalinga style also influenced the development of the Odia and Bengali architectural styles.
Vesara is a combination of Nagara and Dravidian style of temple architecture styles. The term Vesara is believed to have been derived from the Sanskrit word vishra meaning an area to take a long walk. Many historian agree that the Vesara style originated in the what is today Karnataka.
It is one of six major types of Indian temple architecture found in historic texts, the others being Nagara, Dravida, Bhumija, Kalinga and Varata.
The Vesara style originated in the region between the Krishna and Tungabhadra rivers that today is northern Karnataka. According to some art historians, the roots of Vesara style can be traced to the Chalukyas of Badami (500 – 753 AD) or Early Chalukya.This style was further refined by the Rashtrakutas of Manyakheta (750 – 983 AD) in sites like Elora.
The trend was started by the Chalukyas of Badami (500-753AD) who built temples in a style that was essentially a mixture of the Nagara and the Dravida styles, further refined by the Rashtrakutas of Manyakheta (750- 983AD) in Ellora, Chalukyas of Kalyani (983-1195 AD) in Lakkundi, Dambal, Gadag etc. and epitomized by the Hoysalas (1000-1330 AD)
The Hoysalas temples at Belur, Halebidu and Somnathpura are prime examples of this style.
Unique features of Vesara style of temple architecture:
- Ornamentation: In case of ornamentation of temple walls and pillars, Chalukyan temple shows indigenous quality.
- Transformation of Dravida tower: The Chalukyan builders modified the Dravida towers by minimizing the height of each storey and arranging them in descending order of height from base to top with much ornamentation in each storey.
- Transformation of Nagara tower: Instead of inclined storey here modification is seen in the vertical shape of the tower
- Two special features of Chalukya temples – Mantapa and Pillars:
- Mantapa: The mantapa has two types of roof – domical ceilings (the dome like ceilings standing on four pillars are very attractive) or Square ceilings (these are vigorously ornamented with mythological pictures).
- Pillars: the miniature decorative pillars of Chalukya temples stands with its own artistic value.
Famous temples built with this style include:
1.Kalleshwara temple, Kukkanur
2.Ramalingesvara temple, Gudur
3.Mahadeva temple, Ittagi
4.Kasivisvesvara temple, Lakkundi (and several other temples at Lakkundi)
5.Brahmadeva temple, Savadi – notable for being fully stellate
6.Mallikarjuna temple, Sudi
Here are 10 famous temples in North India:
1. Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh – One of the most sacred Shiva temples in India, located on the banks of the Ganges River.
2. Akshardham Temple, New Delhi – A modern Hindu temple complex that showcases Indian architecture and culture.
3. Vaishno Devi Temple, Katra, Jammu and Kashmir – A sacred temple dedicated to the goddess Vaishno Devi, located in the Trikuta Mountains.
4. Amarnath Temple, Anantnag, Jammu and Kashmir – A sacred Shiva temple located in the Himalayas, famous for its natural ice lingam.
5. Badrinath Temple, Chamoli, Uttarakhand – A sacred Vishnu temple located in the Garhwal Himalayas, one of the four Char Dham pilgrimage sites.
6. Kedarnath Temple, Rudraprayag, Uttarakhand – A sacred Shiva temple located in the Garhwal Himalayas, one of the four Char Dham pilgrimage sites.
7. Har ki Pauri, Haridwar, Uttarakhand – A sacred ghat on the banks of the Ganges River, famous for its evening aarti ceremony.
8. Jwalamukhi Temple, Kangra, Himachal Pradesh – A sacred temple dedicated to the goddess Jwalamukhi, famous for its natural flames.
9. Naina Devi Temple, Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh – A sacred temple dedicated to the goddess Naina Devi, located on a hilltop overlooking the Gobind Sagar Lake.
10. Mansa Devi Temple , Haridwar, Uttarakhand – A sacred temple dedicated to the goddess Mansa Devi, located on a hilltop overlooking the Ganges River.
