Temple Architecture | Nagara Style | Dravida or Southern Style | Art & Culture | OnlyIAS

OnlyIAS Extended・2 minutes read

Temple architecture in India evolved from nature worship, with Brahmins believed to have originated it around the fifth century BCE. There are three major schools of temple architecture in India: Nagar, Dravidian, and Vesara, each with unique characteristics and styles.

Insights

  • Temple architecture in India has a rich history rooted in nature worship, evolving into diverse forms like Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain shrines, with distinct features and styles unique to each tradition.
  • The development of temple architecture in India is marked by the contributions of different regional schools like Nagar, Dravidian, and Vesara, each characterized by specific elements such as elevated platforms, intricate carvings, gopurams, and sculptures, showcasing the cultural diversity and architectural brilliance of ancient Indian civilizations.

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Recent questions

  • What are the major schools of temple architecture in India?

    Nagar, Dravidian, Vesara

  • What is the origin of temple architecture in India?

    Brahmins in the fifth century BCE

  • What are the key components of a Hindu temple?

    Sanctum sanctorum, mandap, shikhar, vahan

  • Who played a significant role in developing the Vesara school of temple architecture?

    Chalukya kings

  • What are the major regional schools of temple architecture in India?

    Delaware, Orissa, Hills

Related videos

Summary

00:00

Evolution and Diversity of Indian Temple Architecture

  • Temple architecture is a significant topic in UPSC exams, with questions on its origin, development, and different forms being common.
  • The concept of temples and religious structures evolved from nature worship in ancient times, with humans turning to worship nature to overcome fears of natural disasters.
  • The Indus Valley Civilization did not have evidence of temples, but nature worship was prevalent, serving as a precursor to religious structures.
  • Temple architecture is believed to have originated from Brahmins in India around the fifth century BCE, with Buddhist and Jain shrines preceding Hindu temples.
  • The oldest surviving temple in India is debated between the Mundeshwari Temple in Bihar and the Vishnu Temple in Bhirt village, UP, both dating back to ancient times.
  • Hindu temples typically consist of four main parts: the sanctum sanctorum, mandap, shikhar or vimana, and vahan representing the deity's vehicle.
  • Nagar, Dravidian, and Vesara are the three major schools of temple architecture in India, each with distinct characteristics and styles.
  • Nagar style temples in North India are built on elevated platforms with intricate carvings, while Dravidian temples in the South have extensive boundaries with gopurams and sculptures of Dwarpal at the entrance.
  • The Vesara style is a hybrid of Nagar and Dravidian styles, found mainly in Central and Deccan India, with elaborate sculptures and paintings on temple walls.
  • Chalukya kings played a significant role in developing the Vesara school of temple architecture, with examples like the Kailashnath Temple, Ellora Temple, and Chana Kesava Temple showcasing its unique features.

14:40

Regional Styles of Temple Architecture in India

  • Vesara style temples were constructed in Aihole, Badami, and Patna Dal by Chalukya Kings, primarily using sandstones. Lad Khan Temple, considered the earliest, is among these temples.
  • Temple architecture is classified based on architectural style and regional styles. Major regional temple architectural schools include the Delaware School of Temple Architecture, known for popular temples like those in Khajuraho, built by Dallas and designated as UNESCO World Heritage sites.
  • The Orissa School of Temple Architecture, part of regional temple architecture, includes temples in Orissa and neighboring states, such as the Jagannath Temple of Puri and the Sun Temple of Konark. The Hills School of Temple Architecture, found in the Himalayan region, showcases distinct temple styles influenced by Gandhara art, like the Pandhar Thana temple in Kashmir dedicated to Lord Shiva.
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