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In this lecture, we will discuss about the
styles of temple architecture built during
the ancient and medieval period in Indian
history.
Let us first discuss the stages in evolution
of temple architecture.
In the first stage of temple architecture,
temples were square in shape and had flat
roofs.
The temple structure was built on a low platform.
The structure housed a garbhgriha or sanctum
sanctorum.
Garbgriha was part of temple where the idol
of God was placed.
The examples of such type are Temple 17 at
Sanchi, Madhya Pradesh.
In the second stage of temple architecture,
the temples were square shaped and were constructed
on raised platforms.
A Pradakshina path (Path around garbgriha)
was also added.
The example of such a temple is Parvati Temple
at Nachna Kuthara, Madhya Pradesh.
In The third stage flat roofs were replaced
by a Shikhara or a mountain peak like structure.
The principal temple was square in shape with
a mandap (congregation hall of worshippers)
in front of it.
The Panchayatan style was introduced under
which four subsidiary shrines were constructed
along with the principal shrine.
The example of such type of temple is Kandariya
Mahadeva Temple at Khajuraho.
In the fourth stage, temples structure was
similar to the previous stages with the exception
of a rectangular shrine.
In the fifth or last stage, temples were circular
in shape which were housed in shallow rectangular
platforms.
No change was observed in other features of
temples.
For example, Maniyar Math shrine at Rajgir,
Bihar.
Over the time period, various elements were
added to the temple structure.
Let us one by one discuss these elements:
Mandapa- it was a hall for congregation of
large numbers of worshippers.
Antarala- It was a small ante- chamber between
the garbgriha and the mandapa.
Garbgriha- It was a small room which is house
to the main deity.
It is also known as sanctum sanctorum.
Pradakshina- It was the path around sanctum
sanctorum.
Jagati- It was a raised surface, platform
or terrace upon which some Buddhist or Hindu
temples were built.
Vahana: It is the vehicle of the temple’s
main deity and it was placed before the sanctum
sanctorum.
Subsidiary Shrines- they were built around
the main shrine in panchayatan style of temple
architecture and were 4 in number.
Depending on the inclusion or exclusion of
elements in the construction of a temple,
3 different styles of temple architecture
came to fore.
The first was the Nagara Style-
Nagara style was famous in Northern Indian
states.
It had towers or shikharas with rounded top
and curved linear outline.
There was a small spherical shape object on
the top known as the Kalash.
Pillars and Gopurams were absent in these
temples.
Gopuram was a monumental tower usually ornate
at the entrance of any temple.
The examples of Nagara style temples are Kandariya
Mahadeva temple at Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh,
Sun Temple at Konark, Odisha etc.
Second was the Dravidian Style-
This style was famous in Southern India, in
the region situated south of river Krishna.
Towers in these temples were in the shape
of a pyramid called the vimanam.
The pillars were a prominent feature in the
Dravidian style.
Gopurams were also present.
The temples belonging to Dravidian style are
Brihadeshwara temple, Tamil Nadu, Mahabalipuram
temple, also in Tamil Nadu.
The third and the last styles was the Vesara
style-
The towers of temples under the vesara style
featured a mix of Nagara & Dravidian styles.
There was a prominent presence of Pillars
under Vesara style of temples but Gopurams
were absent in all the temples.
The Vesara style was famous in Karnataka.
Temples under the Vesara style include Virupaksha
temple and Vitthala temple which are both
situated in Karnataka.
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