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Indian Temple Architecture Overview

The document discusses the rich architectural styles of Indian temples, highlighting the freedom given to architects and sculptors which resulted in unique ornamentation. It categorizes temple architecture into three main styles: Nagara (Northern), Dravida (Southern), and Vesara (Mixed), with distinct features such as gateways and superstructures. Notable examples include the Khajuraho Group of temples for the Northern style and various temples in Tanjore and Madurai for the Southern style.

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18 views13 pages

Indian Temple Architecture Overview

The document discusses the rich architectural styles of Indian temples, highlighting the freedom given to architects and sculptors which resulted in unique ornamentation. It categorizes temple architecture into three main styles: Nagara (Northern), Dravida (Southern), and Vesara (Mixed), with distinct features such as gateways and superstructures. Notable examples include the Khajuraho Group of temples for the Northern style and various temples in Tanjore and Madurai for the Southern style.

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adritachatterji9
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Indian Temples

Temple Architecture of India


• The architect and sculptor were given a
plenty of freedom in the ornamentation
and decoration of the temples.
• This resulted in an overwhelming riches
of architectural elements, sculptural
forms and decorative ebullience that is
the characteristic feature of Indian
temple architecture has few analogues
in the aesthetic manifestation of the
whole world.
The distinct architectural styles of temple construction of the
north India and the south India was the result of the broad
geographical, climatic, ethnic, racial, historical and linguistic
differences resulted, from early on, in.
The Vastu Shastras, the ancient canonical texts on architecture,
classify temples into three different orders:

the Nagara or the Indo-Aryan or Northern style, the


Dravida or the Southern style and
the Vesara or Mixed style of temple architecture.

There are also definite regional styles in peripheral areas like


Bengal, Kerala and the Himalayan areas.
• In the early years, when the temple building had just
begun, the
shape of their superstructures can distinguish the two
styles.
• The most significant difference between the later
northern and southern styles are the gateways.
• The shikhara in the north Indian temples remained the
most prominent component of the temple and the
gateway was ordinarily unassuming.
• In the south Indian temples, the enclosure walls were
built around the whole complex.
• Elaborate and often magnificent gateways called
gopurams were ideally set along the east-west and
north-south axes of these walls, which led the
devotees into the sacred courtyard.
Examples
The best examples of the north Indian style of temple
architecture are the
• Khajuraho Group of temples
• Sun temple, Konark, Surya temple

The finest examples of Dravidian style are temples of


• Tanjore, Madurai,
• Mahabalipuram,
• Badami, Pattadakal
• Kanchipuram.
Parts of a Hindu temple

• Garbha-griha, which contains the main deity of the


temple. It has a tower called a vimana over it.
• The ardha-mandapa and maha-mandapa are in front of the
garbha-griha (inner sanctum).
• The gopurams are entrance towers.
• The veranda next to the inside walls of the pradakshina
path.
• Tanks and wells, which are either sacred or for bathing
purposes.
• Subsidiary deities and shrines dedicated to minor gods.
North-Central Indian temples of Khajuraho
Panchayantana Temple
Architectural Features -Khajuraho
• 1000 AD
• High terraces
• Flight of steps – 10 to 12 ft
• Unity of composition
• Cella, mandapa and the entrance vestibule are
the parts of a harmonious whole
• Shikharas – Architectural masterpieces
• Vertical axis
• Top piece – Amalaka or capstone in perfect
rhythm with the curvilinear outline of the
shikhara
• Kalasa on top
Kandariya Mahadeva Temple, Khajuraho
Thanks for
watching.

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