Fig: Map of Ancient india with different Architectural styles

TEMPLE ARCHITECTURE STYLES

Basic elements of early Temple

Architecture

The entrance to the temple. It

could be a portico or a collonaded hall
where worshippers stand.

Stone-like disc seen

at the top of the temple. Mostly in north
Indian temples.

It is the topmost part of the

temple. Mainly seen in north indian styles. Vahana Antarala

Fig: Basic features of Temple Architecture Style

 It is a vestibule between the Garbhagriha and the Mandapa.

It is the vehicle of the main deity which along with the standard pillar or Dhvaj which
are placed axialy.

Noticed from the 5th century CE. It is a mountain-likespire on top. In north

India, it is called Shikhara and is curving in shape. In the south, it is like a pyramidal tower
and is called Vimana.

Literally means womb-house. It is a cave-like sanctum which houses the main

icon of the temple. In earlier times, it was a small cubicle with one entrance. In later periods,
it grew into a larger chamber.
Basically there are 3 kinds of Temple architecture

On the basis of styles :

• Nagara Temple Style

(

• Dravida Temple Style

(South Indian temple Style)

• Vesara Temple Style

(Deccan style/Chalukya Style/Karnataka Style)
 On the basis of Regions :

• Central Temple Style

(Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan)

• East Temple style

(NorthEast, Bengal and Odisha)

• West Temple style

(Gujarat and in western Madhya Pradesh)
The nagra style which developed around the fifth century is characterized by a beehive
shaped tower called Shikhara.

• Popular in northern India.

• Entire temple is generally built on a

stone platform with steps leading to it.

• No grand boundary walls or gateways.

• Earlier temples had one shikhara

whereas latter temples had many.

• The garbhagriha is located directly

beneath the tallest shikhara.

Fig : Kandariya Mahadev Temple

Subdivisions of Nagara Style : 1. Rekha-prasada/Latina
2. Phamsana
3. Valabhi

• Simple shikhara with square base and whose walls

slope inwards to a point on top.

• 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.

Fig : Temple with Latina shikhara, Umri

• 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.
Fig : Phamsana Temples
Shikhars Styles in North India
• Rectangular buildings with a roof that rises into a
vaulted chamber.

• Also called wagon-vaulted buildings.

• The edge of the vaulted chamber is round, like the

bamboo or wooden wagons that would have been
drawn by bullocks in ancient times.

• The form of this temple is influenced by ancient

building forms that were already in existence.

Fig : Valabhi Temples In North India

• Nagara style temples example:
1. Konark Sun Temple

Temple is built in 13th-century CE. Dedicated to the Hindu

Sun God Surya, what remains of the temple complex has the
appearance of a 100-foot (30 m) high chariot with immense
wheels and horses. It is a classic illustration of the Odisha
style of Architecture or Kalinga Architecture.
These include twelve pairs of enormous wheels sculpted
with spokes and hubs, representing the chariot wheels
of the Sun god who, in mythology, rides a chariot driven
by seven horses, sculpted here at the entrance staircase.

Fig : Temple Exterior Facade

The temple is unique in its
architecture and is built in the form
of a chariot driven by seven horses
on 12 pairs of decorated wheels and
facade decorated with devoties
sculptures.

Fig : Details and carvings

Fig : Erotic sculptures at Konark Sun Temple

 2. The Lingaraja Temple
The Lingaraja temple is the largest temple in
Bhubaneswar. The central tower of the temple is 180
ft (55 m) tall. The temple represents the quintessence
of the Kalinga Architecture.
The temple’s structure is made up of the stone of the
darkest shade. The temple is built in vast area in
Bhubaneshawara and the height of the temple is
around 55meteres.
Inside the temple
premises are a large
number of small
shrines dedicated to
worshipping
several Gods and
Goddesses.
Fig : Aerial view site image of temple Fig : Central Vimana and temples in
complex the Lingaraja Temple.
Beautiful sculptures have been carved onto the
walls of the temple and all the shrines over there
in the temple are safely built. You can enter into
the temple through the lion gate where lions on Fig: Details and carvings

both the sides of the gate and the lions crushing

an elephant have been showcased at the lion
entrance. Because of an optical influence the
temple looks much larger than what it actually is.

Fig: A sculpted griffin or "udagajasingha"

on the main temple spire
 3. Shree Jagannath Temple

Shree Jagannath temple of Puri is an important

Hindu temple dedicated to Jagannath, a form of
Vishnu, in Puri in the state of Odisha.
The Puri temple is famous for its annual Ratha yatra,
or chariot festival.
It is one of the Char Dham.
Fig: Temple complex
The structure of the temple is such that it does not
cast any shadow at any given time of the day.
It still remains to be deciphered whether it is an
engineering marvel or a phenomenon that can be
attributed only to the divine force.

Fig: The main entry Fig: Annual rath yatra

• Deployed for Hindu temples in Tamil Nadu from the
7th to 18th century, characterized by its pyramidal
tower.
• Unlike the nagara temple, the dravida temple is
enclosed within a compound wall. The front wall has
an entrance gateway in its centre, which is known as
Gopura/ Gopuram.
• Consists of a square-chambered sanctuary topped by
a superstructure or tower (Vimana), Consists of an
attached pillared porch or hall (Mandapa) which Fig: Basic Features in dravida style
precede the door leading to the nucleus cell.
• The vimana is like a stepped pyramid that rise up
geometrically rather than the curving shikhara of
north India. Each story is delineated by a parapet of
miniature shrines, and barrel-vault roofs at the
centre.
• The tower is topped by a dome-shaped cupola and a
crowning pot and finial.
• A large water reservoir or a temple tank enclosed in
the complex is general in south Indian temples. Fig: Rajarajeswara or Brahadeeshwarar
Temple, Thanjavur Dravida style example
Subdivisions of Nagara Style : 1. Vijaynagar Style
2. Nayaka Style

• They introduced the concept of enlarged high enclosure

walls and more decoration on these high enclosure walls
and Gopuram’s.

• Sculpture or motif of supernatural horses was used very

frequently.

• They also introduced the concept of secular buildings

(Example-Lotus Mahal).

• Typically Vijaynagar period structures in the temple

are the Amman Shrine (male deity of temple)
Fig: Lotus Mahal Temple, Hampi,
Vijaynagar style temple example
• The most famous architectural landmark of this period
are: Ramanathaswamy temple, Rameswaram, Tamil
Nadu, the Meenakshi- Sundareswara temple at
Madurai.

• Have all the features of Dravidian style with an

additional prominent feature known as ‘Parakram’s.
Fig: Arulmigu Ramanathaswamy
• Prakram’s are huge Corridor along with roofed Temple, Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu
ambulatory passageways. It served to connect
various parts of temple while enclosing certain areas.

• Intricate carvings are seen all across the temple walls.

• The large tank set slightly off the axis to the main
temple is another impressive feature of the temple.
Surrounded by steps and a pillared portico, the tank
was used for ritual bathing
Fig: Prakram Corridor interior of temple
• Dravida Style Temples Example:

The temple is at the center of the ancient temple city

of Madurai mentioned in the Tamil Sangam literature,
with the goddess temple mentioned in 6th century CE.
The temple has 14 gopurams, The temple complex has
4 nine-storey gopurams (outer, raja), 1 seven-storey Fig: Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple
gopuram (Chittirai), 5 five-storey gopurams, 2 three-
storey, and 2 one-storey gold-gilded sanctum towers.
64 Of these five are gateways to the Sundareshvara
shrine, three to the Meenakshi shrine.
The great temple complex has actually two shrines;
the first one dedicated to Shiva as Sundareswara and
the second one to his wife Meenakshi.
Fig: Temple interior The thousand pillar hall
 Fig: Thousand pillar, Every pillar is carved
Fig: Temple detailed Facade architecture with religious or secular sculpture

Fig: Details and carvings Fig: Intricate carvings

The temple has sculptures of
exceptional quality. The
bronzes of Bhogasakti and Fig: Nandi Sculpture in
Fig: Brihadishwara Temple temple complex
Subrahmanya are
masterpieces of Chola metal
icons.
The Saurapitha (Solar altar),
the lotus altar with eight
deities, is considered
auspicious, The shiva lingam
is made from single rock.
Fig: Brihadishwara Temple Entry forum, Fig: The Sculptures at the
welcoming sculpture and gopuram Brihadishwara temple
The Shore temple is so named
because it overlooks the shore of
the Bay of Bengal. It is located near
Chennai in Tamil Nadu. It is a
structural temple, built with blocks
of granite, it is one of the oldest
stone temples in South India. It is
Fig: Shore Temple Complex
one of the famous structural stone
temples which has stood strong
over the years. dating from the 8th
century AD.
The temple is a combination of
three shrines. It is known as 'Seven
Pagodas' due to its pyramidal
structure. Fig: Durga on a lion
Fig: Elephant and Fig: Miniature Shrine
with small carved
Deities Stone sculpture in complex
shrine
• In the regionof Karnataka is where some of the most experimental hybrid styles of vesara
architecture are to be found.

• This style has features of both Nagara and Dravidian style.

• It consists of two principle components like Dravidian style i.e. Vimana & Mandap.

• Departing from Dravidian style it does not have covered ambulatory around the sanctum.

• Example: Lad Khan temple at aihole, Virupaksha temple – Pattadakal, Hoysala temples at
Karnataka
• Vesara style temples example:

Chalukya Shiva temple (or Lad khan

temple), dedicated to Shiva, is one of the
oldest Hindu temples and is located in
Aihole in the state of Karnataka, India.
The special feature of this temple is that
Fig: Lad khan Temple Complex
it starts with a rectangular structure and
ends with a square structure. Based on a
wooden construction design, the square
and rectangular plan has a steep roof,
which is an adaptation of wooden styles
in stone.

Fig: Stone roof in wooden Fig: Nandi mandap and floral

styles designs on wall
Virupaksha temple is located in Hampi in the Ballari
district of Karnataka. The architecture of the temple
is very beautiful and magnificent.
Fig: Aerial view site image of
Virupaksha Temple complex
The gateways constructed with nine-tiered and 50
meters in length. The gopuram basement layed with
granite stones and the framework done with bricks.
Here the surprising thing is all the gopurams have
five stories and only eastern gopuram has three
stories.

Fig: Virupaksha Temple facade and Gopuram

There are a monastery,
three antechambers and a
pillared hall and an open
pillared hall. It is decorated
with delicately carved Fig: Sculptures and Details Fig: Interior architectural marvels
pillars. and filled the
surrounding of the temple
with small shrines. The
entrance ways
surroundings with well-
carved art sculptures.

Fig: decorated with delicately Fig: Erotic Sculptures on gopuram

carved pillars
The Chennakesava temple is at Somanathapura,
Karnataka, India. The ornate temple is a model
illustration of the Hoysala architecture. The
temple is enclosed in a courtyard with a pillared
corridor of small shrines.
Fig: Bird eye view site image of Virupaksha temple
The main temple is built on a jagati, which
symbolizes worldly platform in the center ,It is
about 3 feet high, star-shaped platform with
three symmetrical sanctums.
The outer wall of the main temple consists of
parallel horizontal bands of artwork carved
above the circumambulatory platform.

Fig: Wall relief, pierced windows Fig: Deities

and molding frieze sculptures
Fig: The various bands on
the lower part of the
outer wall at the main
Kesava temple.
Fig: The corridor
A: The platform; with small shrines
Fig: Ornamented
sculptures on wall
B: Marching elephants;
C: Marching horsemen;
D: Nature scroll;
E: Friezes of Hindu texts.

Fig: Ceiling Carvings in interior (endless knot)

• Ancient temples of Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan share
many traits. The most visible is that they are made of sandstone.

• Some of the oldest surviving structural temples from the Gupta Period are
in Madhya Pradesh.

• These are relatively modest-looking shrines each having four pillars that
support a small mandapa which looks like a simple square porch-like
extension before an equally small room that served as the garbhagriha.
• Central india style temples example:
1. Dashavtara Vishnu Temple, Deogarh
Deogarh (in Lalitpur
District, Uttar Pradesh)
was built in the early sixth
century CE, is a classic
example of a late Gupta
Period type of temple.
Panchayatana Style of
architecture.
Main shrine is built on a
rectangular plinth with
four subsidiary shrines
Fig: Dashavtara Vishnu Fig: Deities sculpture on 4
that are smaller and at the Temple Facade side of wall
4 corners.
 2. Vishwanatha Temple, Khajuraho

There are many temples at Khajuraho, most of them

devoted to Hindu gods. Khajuraho’s temples are also
known for their extensive erotic sculptures.

The erotic expression is given equal importance in Fig: Vishwanatha Temple, Khajuraho
human experience as spiritual pursuit, and it is seen
as part of a larger cosmic whole. apparently, it is the
oldest of the large temples in Khajuraho and all other
temples are inspired by it.

Fig: Extensive Erotic Sculptures on Facade

The exterior portion
above the base has
three bands featuring
sculptures of various
deities, surasundaris
(female figures) such
as apsaras, and
Fig: Details and carving on facade
mythical creatures.
Their hairstyles,
patterned garments,
ornaments and
expressive faces are
noticeable in these
sculptures.
Fig: Most Famous sculpture at
Vishvanatha temple Fig: Ornamented Pillars interior
 3. Laxman Temple, Khajuraho

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.
Fig: Laxman Temple, Khajuraho
Has high shikharas, amalak and kalash.
Also has projecting balconies and
verandas.
The structure consists of all the elements
of Hindu temple architecture. Erotic
Sculptures on Facade of temple are World
famous example of Khajuraho Architecture.

Fig: Detail and Carving on facade elements

Fig : Dance class, Laxman Temple, Khajuraho

Fig: World famous Extensive Erotic Sculptures on Facade

• The temples in the north-western parts of India including Gujarat and
Rajasthan, and in western Madhya Pradesh are large in numbers.

• The stone used to build the temples ranges in colour and type.

• While sandstone is the commonest, a grey to black basalt can be seen

in some of the 10th to 12th century temple sculptures.

• The most exuberant and famed is the manipulatable soft white marble
• Western India Style Temples
Example:

1. Sun Temple, Modhera

The Sun Temple is a Hindu temple

Fig: Step well in temple
dedicated to the solar deity Surya complex
located at Modhera village of
Mehsana district, Gujarat.
Fig: Aerial view of Sun Temple,
Modhera
There is amassive rectangular
stepped tank/ Step well called the
surya kund in front of it, It is
moderately ornamented.

Fig: Temple Complex carving on

Fig: Sculptures on wall pillars
2. Shamlaji Temple, Gujarat
The Shamlaji temple is dedicated to
Krishna. Built of white sandstone and
brick it is surrounded by a wall with a
gateway. It is of two stories,
supported on pillars, and a canopy
with arches on each side.
The lower courses of temple is richly
carved stone are of great age. there
are some scenes from the epics
Mahabharata and Ramayana on the
walls of facade and interior.
it also consist of a step well in temple
complex. Fig: Facade and architectural marvel
of Shamlaji Temple, Gujarat
 Fig: Ornamented Fig: Step well in
Fig: Architectural marvel on Facade Ganesha sculpture temple complex

Fig: The various bands on the lower

Fig: Narayan figure at the Entry gate of temple
part and elephant sculptures
• Eastern Indian temples include those found in the NorthEast, Bengal and Odisha.
Each of these three areas produced distinct types of temples.

• The history of architecture in the North-East and Bengal is hard to study because a
number of ancient buildings in those regions were renovated, and what survives
now are later brick or concrete temples at those sites.

• It appears that terracotta was the main medium of construction, and also for
moulding plaques which depicted Buddhist and Hindu deities in Bengal until the
seventh century.

• A large number of sculptures have been found in Assam and Bengal which shows
the development of important regional schools in those regions.
• Eastern India Style Temples Example:
1. Kamakhya Temple, Assam
The Kamakhya temple is a Sakti temple
dedicated to the mother goddess Kamakhya.
It is one of the 51 Shakti Pithas Situated on
the Nilachal Hill in western part of Guwahati
city in Assam.
The temple consists of three additional Fig: Kamakhya Temple complex Assam

chambers.The temple consists of four

chambers: garbhagriha and three mandapas
locally called calanta, pancaratna and
natamandira, and consisting of sunken
panels alternating with pilasters.
The sikhara in the shape of a bee-hive, which
is characteristic of temples in Lower Assam.
Fig: Main Vimana
Fig: Sculptures on facade
 2. Terracotta Temple, Vishnupur

There are many such temples that stand testimony to

the exquisite craftsmanship of the artisans of the region.
The temples were crafted from the local laterite and
brick.
The temples are covered with terracotta tiles depicting
scenes from the epic Mahabharata. Fig: Madan Mohan Temple

Elements of local building techniques seen in bamboo

huts which were combined with older forms
reminiscent of the Pala period
and with the forms of arches and domes that were
taken from Islamic Architecture.
whole temple facade is richly carved.
Fig: Jor Bangla Temple
Fig: Terracotta work / Krishna Fig: Richly carved floral designs
Raas-leela scenes on walls on facade of temple
 Reference:
• NCERT class XI “An introduction to indian art”

• https://ncert.nic.in/textbook/pdf/kefa106.pdf

• Great ages of “World Architecture by G.K. Hiraskar”

• https://www.drishtiias.com/to-the-points/paper1/temple-architecture

• https://www.drishtiias.com/images/pdf/Introduction%20to%20Indian%20Art%20%20_.pdf

• https://neostencil.com/temple-
architecture#:~:text=Three%20main%20styles%20of%20temple,are%20also%20some%20regional%
20styles.

• http://content.inflibnet.ac.in/data-server/eacharya-
documents/548158e2e41301125fd790cf_INFIEP_72/94/ET/72-94-ET-V1-S1__ic-25-lec.pdf