Nagara Style

NAGARA / NORTH INDIAN STYLE TEMPLE

• Derived from the word Nagar meaning town or city.
• Its northern style.
• The Nagara style which developed for the fifth century is characterized by a beehive shaped
tower (called a shikhara, in northern terminology) made up of layer upon layer of
architectural elements such as kapotas (the cornice) and all topped by a large round
cushion-like element called an amalaka.
• In the North Indian style, the shrine is a square at the centre, but there are projections on
the outside leading to cruciform shape. When there is one projection on each side, it is
called triratha, 2 projections - pancharatha, 3 projections - saptharatha, 4 projections –
navaratha.
• The Nagara style is characterized by a shikhara which is curvilinear or convex in
shape. It appears to be made up of bands of architecture.
• The shikhara is topped by larger round cushion-like element called an amalaka.
• The plan is generally square/rectangle.
• Mandapa is enclosed with walls or screen.
• Pilaster on the building faced, generally enclosing niches with sculptor work related
to deity.
• Plinth/platform with carving, having number of moulding.
• Tower has horizontal bands having duplicated sculptural carving.
• During later developments such
as in the Chandella temples, the
central shaft was surrounded by
many smaller reproduction of it
self(urushringa),creating a
spectacular visual effect.
• The shikhara remains the most
prominent element of the temple
tower with rounded top and
curvilinear outliner.
SR.NO CENTURY TEMPLE LOCATION RULER/ PATRON
1 5th Temple at bhitargaon Kanpur , UP Guptas

2 5th Udaygiri caves MP Guptas
3 5th Temple 17 Sanchi,MP Guptas
4 5th Earn MP Guptas
5 5th Tigwa temple Jabalpur,MP Guptas
6 6th Gop temple Gujarat Maitrakas
7 6th Parvati temple Nachna, MP Guptas
8 6th Dashavatara temple Deoghar,MP Guptas
9 6th Temples of Kashmir Srinagr, J&K Lalitaditya
6th Sun temple Martand,J&K Lalitaditya
10 7th Lakshamana temple Sirpur,MP Guptas
11 7th Parsurameshwara temple Bhubaneshwa,Odisa Shailodbhavas
12 8th Teli ka mandir Gwalior,MP Pratiharas
13 8th Vaital deul temple Bhubaneshwa,Odisa Bhaumakara
14 8th Hari hara temple Osian,Rajasthan Pratiharas
15 8th Gujarat temples Gujarat Pratiharas
16 10th Ambika mata temple Jagat, Rajasthan Pratiharas
17 10th Someshvara temple Kiradu, Rajasthan Pratiharas
18 10th Ghanteshwara temple Badoli, Rajashtan Pratiharas
18 10th Lakshamana temple MP Chandellas
19 10th Temple at chandrehi MP Paramaras
20 10th Mukteshwara temple Bhubaneshwa,Odisa Ganga kings
21 10th Kandariya mahadev temple Khajuraho,MP Chandellas
22 10th Temple group of Khjuraho Khajuraho,MP Chandellas
23 11th Vishwanath temple MP Chandellas
24 11th Udayeshvara temple Udaypura,MP Paramaras
25 11th Sun(surya) temple Modhera,Gujarat Solankis
26 11th Rajarani temple Bhubaneshwa,Odisa Ganga kings
27 11th Lingaraja temple Bhubaneshwa,Odisa Ganga kings
28 11th Sas Bahu temple Gwalior,MP Pratiharas
29 12th Jaganath temple Puri,Odisa Ganga kings
30 13th Sun(surya) temple Konark,Odisa Ganga kings
TYPES OF SHIKHARA IN NAGARA STYLE
The Shikhara underwent notable transformation over the centuries and from region to region.
Main three types are as following:
LATINA SHEKHARI BHUMIJA

LATINA : The term derived from LATA (a climbing plant) has square ground plan, where
small amalakas or amlas divid the tower in to storys but without interrupting the up
thrust of the parabolic curve. Urushringas or angashikhara (miniature shikhara) are
incorporated in spiral construction create ascending borders in the intricate structure
which makes corners. One of the best example of this type is ling raja temple.
SHEKHARI : Groups a number of angshikhara of different sizes around the twoer which
accentuate the rotundity of the corners. Example of this type are kandariya mahadeo
temple.
BHUMIJA (daughter from the earth) : Has a circular or star shaped ground plan with
shikharas or other reproduction of miniature sanctuaries placed on top of one another in
parallel rows interrupted by vertical band. The most important example of this style is the
udayeshvara temple in Madhya Pradesh.
TEMPLE COMPLEX OF KHAJURAHO
EN ETERNAL EXPRESSION OF LOVE
• North-Central Indian temples of Khajuraho. The temples at Khajuraho, built by the

Chandella rulers around 1000 AD are at the pinnacle of the Nagari architectural style.
• The Nagari style has several distinct features, all of which are clearly manifested in the
temples at Khajuraho.
• The khajuraho temples are grounded in to 3 geographical division: western, eastern,
southern.
• These constructed in sand stone and in dry masonry with the help of mortise and tenon
joint.
• High terraces and Flight of steps – 10 to 12 ft.
• Unity of composition. Cella, mandapa and the entrance vestibule are the parts of a
harmonious whole.
• Shikharas are architectural masterpieces.
• Top piece – Amalaka or capstone in perfect rhythm with the curvilinear outline of the
shikhara and Kalasa on top.
TEMPLE COMPLEX
OF KHAJURAHO
Western Eastern
group of group of
temple temple
Southern
group of
temple
KANDARIYA MAHADEV TEMPLE:KHAJURAHO
• Kandariya Mahadeva Temple, Khajuraho is largest and loftiest in the Khajuraho group
• Plan is 109t X 60ft approximately 28’ high plinth and 88’ high tower.
• No enclosure walls Erected on platform (Jagatis) which are large enough to perform
pradhakshina. Garbhagriha, antharala, mahamandapa, mandapa and ardhmandapa all
lies in EW direction.
• The replicas of shikhara / tower(urushringa) are repeatedly used on the elevation or
side of the main vertical tower. The main spire is surrounded by 84 miniature spires
• The temple have been built from granite or sandstone, the two chief rocks found in this
area upon raised platforms.
• The platforms themselves stand on solid rock masses that are one of the oldest rocks
on this earth.
PLAN
• The Kendariya Mahadeo temple is the finest example in Indo-Aryan temple style because of
its attainment of unity in design of its components such as mandapas.
• It becomes a composite design in plan and exterior profile.
• It results into overall jagged profile of mostly revered Kailash.
• The raised platform on which the temples stands in itself becomes dominant feature of the
composition.
• The great flight of steps gives one a sense of arrival in higher ritualistic sense also.
SECTION
• The sculptures are exquisite.
• They show the daily lives of the kings (hunting
etc), the deities in their various forms, the
beautiful apsarases in their elegant and
enticing postures ,erotic images and other
royal motifs like lions and elephants.
EASTERN INDIAN TEMPLES OF ORISSA
• Eastern Indian temples of Orissa• Under the ancient name of Kalinga, Orissa was the
seat of great empires as far back as 300 B.C.
• Its temples have been described as one of the most compact and homogeneous
architectural groups in India.
• In these the Indo-Aryan style of architecture may be seen at its best and purest.
• The design which flourished in eastern Indian state of Orissa and Northern Andhra
Pradesh are called KALINGA STYLE OF ARCHITECTURE.
• The style consists of three distinct type of temples namely Rekha Deula, Pidha Deula and
Khakhara Deula.
• Deula means "Temple" in the local language. The former two are associated with Vishnu,
Surya and Shiva temple while the third is mainly with Chamunda and Durga temples.
• The Rekha deula and Khakhara deula houses the sanctum sanctorum while the Pidha
Deula constitutes outer dancing and offering halls.
• The prominent examples of Rekha Deula are Lingaraj Temple of Bhubaneswar and
Jagannath Temple of Puri.
• The Konark Sun Temple is a living example of Pidha Deula.
• Orissan temples follow a common structural plan.
• A typical temple consists of two apartments.
• The deul, corresponding to the southern vimana, is the cubical inner apartment which
enshrines the image, and is surmounted by a tower.
• In front of this is the antarala or porch called the jaganmohan which is usually square-
shaped and has a pyramidal roof.
• Occasionally, one or two more mandapas, such as the natmandir and the bhogmandir,
can be found in front of the jaganmohan, but these, where they exist, are almost
without exception were superimposed on top of the original plan.
LINGARAJA TEMPLE : BHUBANESHWAR
• Bhubaneswar has the richest profusion of temples and is known as the temple town of
Orissa, not only because of the large number of temples found there, but also because
it is the home of the famous Lingaraja temple.
• The city of Bhubaneswar is believed to have been created by Yayati, founder of the
Kesari dynasty of Orissa.
• The striking concentration of temples in Bhubaneswar is partly accounted for by the
fact that the city was the seat of powerful religions.
• The sacred lake of Bhubaneswar was once encircled by 7,000 shrines, of which only 500
now survive in different stages of dilapidation.
• The great Lingaraja temple, believed to have been built around 1000 A.D.
• It stands in a cluster of sixty-five smaller shrines in a spacious compound meausring
520 feet by 465 feet and its mighty tower (the vimana) dominates the landscape for
miles around.
• Constructed without mortar, this tower is 127 feet high and is divided into vertical
sections.
• The angles of the recesses are filled in with miniature vimanas and on the top, are
figures representing a lion crushing an elephant.
• Initially it consisted of a cella and a mandapa.
• Cella – 56ft square and rises about 140 ft.
• Mandapa is rectangular.
• It is a typical example of the orrisan type temples,
having all 4 structure, deul, jagmohan, natmandir,
bhog mandir . All 4 structure in one axis, east to west
on high platform.
• The temple enclosure/complex is entered through
“simha dwara”,having lions on both the side.
• Garbhgriha has linga made of granite.
• Sculpture includes lord Ganesh,kartikay and parvati.
TEMPLES OF GUJARAT
•The Solanki style of temple architecture that
flourished in Gujarat has all the essential
features of a north Indian temple. On plan, it
consists of a sanctum, a closed hall and a
porch that are inter-connected internally and
externally.
• The wall faces are broken by numerous
indentations, projected and recessed
alternately, which are continued along the
elevation, producing a pleasing contrast of
light and shade.
•In larger temples a detached peristylar hall
is added in the same axis, often preceded by
a torana or ornamental arched entrance. In
rare cases the hall has more storeys than
one.
• The temple at Sunak (10th century), Sun
temple at Modhera (11th century), the
Vemala Temple at Mount Abu (11th century)
and the Somnath Temple at Kathiawar (12th
century) are some of the best examples of
this style of architecture.
SUN TEMPLE : MODHERA
•The sun temple at Modhera stands
testimony to the architectural genius of
bygone millennia which shaped and evolved
temple building to a refined resolution. The
temple complex, built in 1026-27 , the reign
of Bhima I of the Solanki dynasty , is
characteristic of the architectural creations of
Gujarat of that period.
•Consisting of typical North Indian temple
forms and element, this complex is unique
because of the Kund or the tank a
subterranean architectural typology unique
to this region, see here in its most elaborate
manifestation.
•Dedicated to the sun god, the ensemble is
composed of three parts: The temple and the
colonnaded hall and the Kund.
•All of them share the same east-west
oriented axis, and face the east. Rising,
towards the rising sun, to let the first rays
•Surya kund : It was a tank,
approximatelym100 sqm holy
ablution before entering the temple
complex by the devotees. About 108
shrines are carved on the steps
including the sculptures of lord
Shiva, lord Ganesh etc.
•Stambh Mandapa : It is the
assembly hall for religious
gatherings. There are 52 carved
pillars in the open hall. Sculptures
include scene of Ramayana,
Mahabharata and life of lord Krishna.
This hall is of approximately 25’ ,
equal in size of Guda mandapa.
•Guda Mandapa : Main sanctuary is
supported by lotus base plinth. The
walls have sculptures representing
sun God. It is a square of 11’ internal
dimension.
•Temple now stands in a ruined state
on a raised platform.
•An entrance gateway, an open octagonal hall, and the grbhgriha / cella , with a pradkshina
path, all lies in the same axis. The entrance gateway is carved as torana.
•The pavilion /open hall detached from garbhgriha.
•Balconies/terraces seem to be projected on the sides of the garbhgriha , resting on
columns.
•Pyramidal roof over the hall in a tiered arrangement.

Nagara Style

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Nagara Style

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NAGARA / NORTH INDIAN STYLE TEMPLE

NAGARA / NORTH INDIAN STYLE TEMPLE

1 5th Temple at bhitargaon Kanpur , UP Guptas

LATINA SHEKHARI BHUMIJA

• North-Central Indian temples of Khajuraho. The temples at Khajuraho, built by the

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