Temple Architecture

History of culture and architecture IV – Unit 1: Temple
architecture - Part 3
Nagara style temple architecture
Presented by – Ar Samira Gupte
Introduction
North Indian temple style
Nagara style
Orissa Madhya
Gujrat and
(Bhubaneshwar Pradesh
Rajputana
and Konark) (Khajuraho) (Modhera)
Temples of Orissa group (800 to 1250 AD)

Parts of Orissan temples
In North India it is common for an entire temple to be

built on a stone platform with steps leading up to it.
Another unique characteristic is that it does not

usually have elaborate boundary walls or gateways.
The garbhagriha is always located directly under the

tallest tower.
There are many subdivisions of Nagara

temples depending on the shape of the shikhara.
Amalaka or Kalash which is installed on Shikhara is

another characteristic feature of this form of temple
style
Parts of Orissan temples
In North India it is common for an entire temple to be

built on a stone platform with steps leading up to it.
Another unique characteristic is that it does not

usually have elaborate boundary walls or gateways.
The garbhagriha is always located directly under the

tallest tower.
There are many subdivisions of Nagara

temples depending on the shape of the shikhara.
Amalaka or Kalash which is installed on Shikhara is

another characteristic feature of this form of temple
style
Examples of Orissan temples
1. The sun temple at Konark
• Dedicated to the Sun god.
• It resembles the celestial chariot of the Sun. Located 32 km from Puri.

• Constructed in 1238 to 1264 AD by king Narasimha I, 12000 craftsmen were employed. Construction ended 12 years.
• The temple resting on a large platform with
giant, sculpted wheels. (12 in number)
• Built in two parts, Jagmohan and Deul.
• Jagmohan is a large hall of sides 30.5 m and
height of 39 m.
• Tower of Deul is 69 m high,
• On the three sides of Deul, there are 3
subsidiary shrines with stairways leading to
niches containing life size image of the sun
god.
• The pyramidal tower consists of three tiers
with space between to accommodate
sculptures- dancers and musicians.
• Kalasha on top. To hold its weight, entire
ceiling is strengthened with iron grid.
• There are three stairways to portico flanked
by lions and elephants. Main portico
approched by a wide stairway is flanked by
the seven galloping horses of the sun.
2. The Lingaraj temple at Bhubaneshwar
• The temple originally had two parts, Deul and
jaga-mohan.Nat mandir and bhog mandir
were added later.
• All structures enclosed in a courtyard of size
142 m x 158 m
• Entrance is flanked by two large stone statues
of lions.
• The main element of the temple is the tower
of the deul. Height of this tower is 38 m. the
deep fluted ribs and miniature replicas of
Deul, add to the verticality of shikhara.
• Outer surface is carved. A shiva linga 3.0 m
high and 2.5 m in diameter is installed in
garbhs griha.
• The jaga-mohan is 22 m long
and 17 m wide. Lower storey
‘bada’ rising to a height of 10.00
m and ‘pida’, a pyramidal tower
attaining a height of 30.00 m
• Nat mandir and bhog mandir are
of the same style.
• There are other smaller shrines in
the complex dedicated to
Parvati, Ganesh, Kartikeya, Balraj,
Subhadra and krishna.
Temples of Madhya pradesh group (800 to 1250
AD)
Examples of temples in Madhya Pradesh
Characteristic features
• Plan in Italian cross form. Longer side on east west axis.
Entrance on East,
• Temple is divided into three parts –
1. Cella or Garbha Griha
2. An assembly hall or Mandapa
3. An entrance portico or Ardha mandapa
• The temple shikhara (Urusringa) has an ascending parabolic
outline rising up in the graceful sweep and characterized with
superimposed miniature urusringa on all the four sides.
• Exterior is more sculpted than interiors.
Examples of temples in Madhya Pradesh
1. Kandariya Mahadev temple
• 33 m long and 18 m wide. Height 35.5 m
• It stands on a high platform. Only one
entrance from east.
• The temple is raised in tier over tier of
sculptured excellence.
Temples of Gujarat group (800 to 1250 AD)

Examples of temples in Gujarat
1. Sun temple at Modhera
• The Garbhagriha, the shrine proper or sanctum sanctorum is square measuring 11
feet from inside.
• The shrine had two cells; a cell below the level of the upper cell. The floor of the
upper cell is now fallen which once housed the image of a deity. The seat of the
image is now in a pit. The lower cell was probably used for storage.
• The walls inside the shrine are plain and the outer wall is decorated.
• The sanctum sanctorum is designed in a way that the first rays of rising sun lit up the
image of Surya during solar equinox days and on summer solstice day, the sun shines
directly above the temple at noon casting no shadow.
• The Mandapa, a hall was roofed by a dome
which probably rose in a concentric manner.
• The pillars
of Sabhamandapa and Gudhamandapa are of
two types; short and tall. The short pillars rest
on the walls and support the roof. The tall
pillars rise from the floor
Assignment 1.3
Q.1] Write in detail on following. Support with sketches.

1. The Sun temple at Konark
3. Kandariya Mahadev temple at Khajuraho
4. The Sun temple at Modhera
Q.2] Explain all parts of a typical Orissan style temple with sketch.
Group presentations
Group 1: The temple of Jagannatha at Puri

Group 2: The Vishnu temple at Kiradu, Marwar
Group 3: Kailash temple at Ellora
Group 4: Chenna Keshava temple at Bellur

Temple Architecture

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History of culture and architecture IV – Unit 1: Temple

Temples of Orissa group (800 to 1250 AD)

In North India it is common for an entire temple to be

Another unique characteristic is that it does not

The garbhagriha is always located directly under the

There are many subdivisions of Nagara

Amalaka or Kalash which is installed on Shikhara is

In North India it is common for an entire temple to be

Another unique characteristic is that it does not

The garbhagriha is always located directly under the

There are many subdivisions of Nagara

Amalaka or Kalash which is installed on Shikhara is

• It resembles the celestial chariot of the Sun. Located 32 km from Puri.

Temples of Gujarat group (800 to 1250 AD)

Q.1] Write in detail on following. Support with sketches.

Group 1: The temple of Jagannatha at Puri

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