Temple Architecture: Nagara Style

Summary

This episode explores the Nagara style of Hindu temple architecture, focusing on its historical development and key architectural features. The Nagara style, found in North India, is characterized by its towering shikhara, the garbhagriha (sanctum), and intricate mandapas. The temples are typically built on raised platforms, with the garbhagriha situated beneath the tallest spire. The episode delves into different types of shikhara, such as Rekha Prasada and Latina, as well as regional variations in Central, Western, Eastern, and Hilly India. It highlights the rich cultural heritage and spiritual significance of these temples, setting the stage for an upcoming discussion on Southern (Dravida) temple architecture.

Takeaways

• 😀 Temple architecture represents the ideals of dharma values enshrined in Hinduism, influenced by early Buddhist structures like stupas.
• 😀 The earliest Hindu temples were built in rock-cut caves, with the Barabar caves in Bihar being the oldest, dating back to around the 3rd century BC.
• 😀 Gupta architecture, in the 4th to 5th century CE, marked the emergence of freestanding Hindu temples, featuring elements like stars and projecting niches.
• 😀 Hindu temple architecture follows principles outlined in the Shilpa Shastra, with three main styles: Nagara (northern), Dravida (southern), and Vesara (mixed).
• 😀 The term 'garbhagriha' refers to the central sanctum housing the deity's idol, which evolved from a small cubicle to a large chamber over time.
• 😀 Key features of Hindu temples include the Mandapa (hall for worshipers), Shikhara (mountain-like spire), Kalasha (topmost part), and Antarala (vestibule).
• 😀 Nagara-style temples typically feature an elevated platform called 'Jagati,' with the sanctum (garbhagriha) placed directly beneath the tallest shikhara.
• 😀 The Nagara style of architecture generally does not include elaborate boundary walls or gateways and lacks a water tank within the temple premises.
• 😀 North Indian temples are classified based on their Shikhara types: Reika Prasada (simple and common), Latina (with small towers), and Hamsana (broad and gentle slope).
• 😀 Regional variations in Nagara-style architecture can be seen in Central India (sandstone temples with erotic sculptures), Western India (Solanki school), and Eastern India (Kalinga and Odisha schools).

Q & A

What is the Nagara style of temple architecture?

The Nagara style is the northern Indian style of temple architecture. It features temples built on an elevated platform, with the main shrine (garbhagriha) housed under a towering spire known as the shikhara. The design typically lacks elaborate boundary walls and does not include a water tank in the temple premises.

What architectural elements are essential in Hindu temple design according to Shilpa Shastra?

Shilpa Shastra describes key architectural elements in Hindu temples, including the garbhagriha (sanctum), mandapa (entrance hall), shikhara (mountain-like spire), amalaka (stone disc), kalasha (topmost part), antarala (vestibule), and vahana (deity's vehicle).

What are the main differences between the Nagara and Dravida styles of temple architecture?

The Nagara style is prevalent in northern India, characterized by temples with a spire (shikhara) and an emphasis on verticality. In contrast, the Dravida style is found in southern India and is known for its pyramid-like towers (vimanas) and elaborate gateways (gopurams), with a focus on horizontal spread.

What is the significance of the Shikhara in the Nagara temple architecture?

The Shikhara is the towering spire above the garbhagriha in Nagara temples, symbolizing Mount Meru, the axis of the universe in Hindu cosmology. It typically has a curving shape in the northern style and is the tallest point in the temple, often above the main sanctum.

How did Gupta architecture influence the development of Hindu temple structures?

Gupta architecture, which emerged in the 4th to 5th centuries CE, introduced freestanding Hindu temples, featuring elements like stars, projecting niches, and elaborate sculptural decoration. This period marked a transition from rock-cut caves to free-standing temple structures.

What is Panchayatna style in temple architecture?

Panchayatna style is a temple architectural layout where the main shrine is situated on a rectangular plinth, surrounded by four smaller shrines at the corners. This layout creates a total of five shrines, and is exemplified by temples like the Kandariya Mahadev Temple in Khajuraho.

What is the significance of the Kalasha in Hindu temple architecture?

The Kalasha is the decorative, often ornamental, element placed at the topmost point of a temple's spire (shikhara). It is a symbolic representation of the divine and is common in North Indian temple architecture.

Can you explain the classification of North Indian temples based on shikhara types?

North Indian temples are classified into different types based on their shikhara. These include the Reika Prasada, characterized by a square base and curved slopes, the Latina type, which often has multiple smaller towers grouped around a central spire, and the Hamsana type, which is broader and shorter, used mainly for mandapas.

What are some key features of the temples in Central India?

Temples in Central India are often constructed from sandstone and feature three chambers: the garbhagriha, mandapa, and ardha mandapa. They are typically north or east-facing and adorned with intricate carvings, including erotic sculptures. The Panchayatna style is also prevalent in this region, with temples built on raised platforms.

What is the significance of the Sun Temple at Konark?

The Sun Temple at Konark, built in the 13th century, is one of the most famous temples in Odisha. Known as the 'Black Pagoda,' it is designed as a massive chariot of the Sun God, with twelve pairs of wheels and seven horses, symbolizing the Sun's journey across the sky. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site.