Nagara or North Indian Temple Style – UPSC Prelims

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The Nagara or North Indian temple style:
  • Entire temple is generally built on a stone platform with steps leading to it.
  • No grand boundary walls or gateways (unlike the Dravida style).
  • Earlier temples had one shikhara whereas latter temples had many.
  • The garbhagriha is located directly beneath the tallest shikhara.
Subdivisions of Nagara Style
  • Rekha-Prasada/Latina:
    • Simple shikhara with square base and whose walls slope inwards to a point on top.
    • Most common.
    • In later periods, Latina type became more complex with several towers clustered together.
    • The tallest tower was at the centre and the garbhagriha was directly beneath it.
  • Phamsana:
    • Roofs composed of many slabs that gently rise to a single point over the building’s centre.
    • Roofs do not curve inwards like the latina type, but they slope upwards on a straight incline.
    • Phamsana structures are generally broader and shorter than latina ones.
    • In many temples, the latina type is used to house the garbhagriha whereas the mandapa has a Phamsana style of architecture.

  • Valabhi:
    • Rectangular buildings with a roof that rises into a vaulted chamber.
    • Also called wagon-vaulted buildings.
Nagara Style in Various Regions:
  • Central India
    • Mainly found in Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan.
    • Made of sandstone.
    • Oldest surviving structural temples from the Gupta period are in MP. They are small shrines with four pillars to support a small mandapa. The mandapas are basically small porch-like structures before the garbhagriha which are also rather small. Examples: temple at Udaigiri – part of a larger Hindu complex of cave shrines (outskirts of Vidisha); temple at Sanchi (which was a Buddhist site).
    • This shows how similar architectural developments were incorporated in both religions.
    • Dashavatara Vishnu Temple, Deogarh, UP
      • Classic example of the late Gupta period temple architecture.
      • Patrons are unknown.
      • From the architecture and imagery, it is known that the temple was built in early 6th century CE.
      • Panchayatana Style of architecture.
        • Main shrine is built on a rectangular plinth with four subsidiary shrines that are smaller and at the 4 corners.
        • Hence, there are a total of five shrines and hence the name, Panchayatana.
      • This temple has a rekha-prasada type of shikhara.
      • It is a west-facing temple. Most temples are north or east facing.
      • Has a grand doorway with figures of Ganga and Yamuna on the left and right side respectively.
      • Depicts Vishnu in various forms. 3 main Vishnu reliefs on the temple walls: Sheshashayana on the south; Nara-Narayan on the east; and Gajendramoksha on the west.
      • Since it was assumed that the subsidiary shrines had avatars of Vishnu in them, the temple was mistaken to be Dashavatara temple.

  • Khajuraho Temples (MP)
    • Built in the 10th century CE.
    • It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
    • Patronised by Chandela Kings.
    • All temples made of sandstone.
    • From the temple at Deogarh (built about 400 years before Khajuraho temples), the development of the Nagara architectural style is visible here.
    • These temples are known for their extensive erotic sculptures. Mostly Hindu, though some Jain temples are also present.
    • There are also temples dedicated to Yoginis which form part of Tantric worship indicating the rise and spread of tantric cult after the 7th century. E.g. Chausanth Yogini temple.
    • Important temples in Khajuraho:  Kandariya Mahadeo (dedicated to Lord Shiva) and Lakshmana temple.
    • Lakshmana temple:
      • Grandest of the Khajuraho temples.
      • Dedicated to Vishnu.
      • Built by the Chandela King Dhanga in 954 CE.
      • Structure is placed on a high platform that is accessed by stairs.
      • Has small temples in four corners.
      • Has high shikharas, amalak and kalash. Also has projecting balconies and verandas.

  • West India
    • Gujarat, Rajasthan and western MP.
    • Sandstone is most common, grey to black basalt is also seen in some 10 – 12th century temples.
    • Also seen is soft white marble in 10 – 12th century Jain Temples at Mount Abu and a 15th century temple at Ranakpur.
    • Samlaji in Gujarat is an important art historical site. Many sculptures made of grey schist are found here.
    • Sun Temple, Modhera, Gujarat
      • Built by Raja Bhimdev I of the Solanki dynasty in 1026 CE.
      • Temple complex features a huge rectangular stepped tank known as the ‘Surya Kund’ in the front. This is a noticeable feature from earlier times – proximity of a sacred water body. By the early 11th century, this was a common feature of many temples.
      • The Surya Kund is a 100 sq.m pond – one of the grandest of its kind in the country. 108 miniature shrines are carved in between the steps inside the tank.
      • A large ornamental torana (gateway) leads to the sabha mandapa or assembly hall that is open on all sides.
      • Lavish carving and sculpture work is present.
      • The central shrine walls are plain. The temple is east-facing and every year at the time of equinoxes, the sun shines directly onto the central shrine.

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