Nagara Style of Temple Architecture

The Nagara style of temple architecture is a Hindu temple style that is popular in India. It originated in the Gupta structural temples and began developing in the 5th century. It has gone through various changes over time and has three sub-styles. The Nagara style is characterized by its distinctive shikhara, which is a superstructure, tower, or spire above the garbhagriha. The garbhagriha is a small sanctuary that houses the main image or emblem of the temple deity. The style is sometimes referred to as Nagara, a type of temple mentioned in the Shilpa-shastras, which are traditional canons of architecture.

The Nagara style has been used to build many famous temples in India, including the Kandariya Mahadeva Temple at Khajuraho, the Lingaraja Temple at Bhubaneswar, and the Dilwara Temples at Mount Abu. The style is also found in other parts of Asia, such as Nepal and Sri Lanka.

Features of Nagara Temple Architecture

Here are some major features of Nagara-style temple architecture:

• Shikhara (Tower): The most unique feature of Nagara temples is their towering spire or Shikhara. These spires are often curvilinear in shape, resembling a mountain peak or a cluster of smaller towers stacked on top of each other. The Shikhara gradually narrows as it rises, giving in a decorative finial or Kalasha.
• Mandapa (Pillared Hall): Nagara temples typically have a pillared hall or Mandapa, which serves as an entrance porch or assembly hall for devotees. There are usually two types of Mandapas: The Ardha Mandapa (front hall) and the Maha Mandapa (main hall), each designed with beautiful carved pillars.
• Garbhagriha (Inner Sanctum): The inner sanctum or Garbhagriha houses the main deity of the temple. It is usually a small, dark chamber representing the womb of the universe, symbolizing the sanctity and concentration of divine energy.
• Entrance (Antarala): Nagara temples typically feature an entrance porch or Antarala, which connects the Mandapa to the Garbhagriha. This transitional space often contains sculptures or relief carvings representing deities or mythological narratives.
• Decorative Elements: Nagara temples are designed with a lot of complex carvings, sculptures, and relief work. These decorations depict various Hindu deities, celestial beings, mythical creatures, and scenes from Hindu epics such as the Ramayana and Mahabharata.
• Materials: Nagara temples are commonly constructed using locally available materials such as sandstone or brick. The stone surfaces provide a canvas for complex carvings and sculptures, adding to the aesthetic appeal of the temples.
• Symbolism: Nagara temple architecture is heavily symbolic, with each aspect holding spiritual meaning. The upward movement of the Shikhara indicates the trip from the earthly sphere to the divine world, while the Mandapa represents the gathering of devotees in the presence of the deity.

Nagara and Dravidian are the two major styles of Hindu temple architecture in India. They came up from the earlier style known as the Panchayatana style of architecture. The Nagara style is found in northern India, while the Dravidian style is found in southern India. The main difference between the Nagara and Dravidian styles is the shape of the central tower. The Nagara style has a curvilinear or beehive-shaped tower, while the Dravidian style has a pyramid-like central tower. Both styles have their unique features, which are described below in the article.