Hindu Temple Architecture
Arjun Mallya and Rohan Pattisapu
"Hindu temple architecture is more than just a display of artistic and structural brilliance—it’s a reflection of spiritual and cultural identity. Each intricate design and sacred space serves as a connection between the earthly and the divine, bringing communities together while preserving centuries of tradition and meaning."
Temples are sacred places of worship for Hindus. A temple can be perceived as a bridge between the human realm and God, it is where we are as close to God as possible. So, we understand how significant temples are for believers but in this article, we delve into the different architectural styles of temples you would find across India.
The Nagara Style
The Nagara style of temples is a traditional style found in North India; the style is characterised by the following features:
The Shikhara, this translates from Sanskrit as “mountain peak” and what this refers to is the curvilinear spire you would find on the temple. The Shikhara is found directly above the sanctuary of the temple (The Garbhagriha.) Furthermore, the plan of the temple is four sided with projections creating a cruciform shape, another feature of this style is that the temple is built on a stone platform with simple steps leading up to it. In North India, there tends to be no grand boundary walls or gateways meaning that the entrance to the temple is relatively simple compared to the other styles. These temples tend to have more of a vertical emphasis rather than horizontal meaning that they tend to be quite tall. Finally, the ornamentation is elaborate and the temple holds intricate carvings however it is not near as detailed as the other styles we find across India.
The Dravida Style
South Indian temples are predominantly influenced by the Dravida style. The key features of the style are:
The Vimana which is the equivalent of the Shikhara in North temples. The vimana has a pyramidal, stepped structure which decreases in size as you go up and it is found directly above the sanctuary of the temple. The plan of a typical South Indian temple would often be rectangular with a concentric layout and it would feature multiple enclosed courtyards. Additionally, the temple tends to sit on a raised platform with intricate carvings and typically steps will lead up to the main sanctum. In South India, we find grander entrances to the temple, there are often large gateway towers known as gopurams and you would find large fortified prakara walls which enclose the temple. In the Dravida style, usually we find temple tanks or ponds which are there for ritual use. Finally, unlike the Nagara style these temples tend to be broader which emphasise the horizontal tiers and the ornamentation found in these temples are much more elaborate and detailed.
The Vesara Style
The Vesara style is a hybrid of the Nagara (North Indian) and the Dravida (South Indian) architectural styles.
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In these temples, you would see a blend of the Shikhara and the Vimana, meaning the towers may combine the curvilinear spires of the Nagara style with the tiered pyramidal vimanas of the Dravida style. The plan of these temples tends to be stellate (star shaped) with intricate projections and recesses that add complexity. Another feature is that the temple is on raised platforms, similar to the North and South Indian styles. The temple features spacious Mandapas (Pillared Halls) which are often star shaped or intricately adorned. Some Vesara temples feature temple tanks however it heavily depends on the region. Finally, the Vesara style is known for its highly detailed carvings as it borrows the best elements from the Nagara and Dravida styles, you can find floral patterns, mythological figures and deities, the material of the temple (soft soapstone or granite) allow for such delicate carvings.
Conclusion
In India, there are many diverse types of Hindu temple architecture, in this article we covered the three main styles: Vesara, Nagara and Dravida. All of these temples have the same purpose, which is to be a space of worship, however visually their looks differ. The Nagara style is found in North India, it features a curvilinear spire, a compact layout, no grand walls or gateways, the plan is cruciform and the temple has a vertical emphasis. The Dravida style is the Southern Indian style, it has a pyramidal tower, it holds grand gateway towers, temple tanks, the plan is often rectangular with a concentric layout and you will find enclosed courtyards. Finally, arguably the most interesting style of them all, the Vesara style, which is found in Karnataka, is a fusion of the Nagara and Dravida styles, the key characteristics are that it has a stellate plan, there is a blend of the Shikhara and Vimana and the material of the temple is soapstone or granite which allows for carvings.
Thank you for reading.
Arjun Mallya and Rohan Pattisapu, Year 10
Published on 2nd December 2024