Style of Temple Architecture

-

 Different Style of Temple Architecture



A. Nagara School of Architecture:
  • Location: Northern India
  • Timeline: From 500 AD
  • Panchayatana style of temple making
  • Mandapas/ Assembly halls in front of the principle shrine
  • Ganga and Yamuna river goddess are placed outside the garbha griha
  • No water tanks/reservoirs in temple complex
  • Upraised platform with pillared approach
  • Types of shikaras
    1. Latina: Square base with walls curving to the point on top
    2. Phamsana: broader base with walls sloping towards on a straight line. Shorter in height
    3. Valabhi: Rectangular base with roof rising to vaulted chambers. Wagon vaulted roofs
  • Shikaras are topped by horizontal disc called Amalak, which are again topped by spherical body called kalash
  • Walls of temples are divided into a number of vertical planes (rathas). If it is 3, then trirathas, 5 - pancharathas, 7 - saptaratha and even 9 - navarathas
  • Covered ambulatory passageway around the sanctum sanctorum.
1. Odisha school
  • Location: Kalinga emprise (modern day odisha)
  • No use of pillars on the mandapas aka Jagmohanas
  • Lavishly decorated exterior walls with plain interior walls
  • Shikharas aka rekhadeuls are vertical roofs with sudden inward curves at top
  • Temples are surrounded by boundary walls
  • Ground plan of temple is square
  • Example: Sun temple at Konark, Jagannath temple at Puri
2. Khajuraho school:
  • Location: Central part of India
  • Patronage: Chandel rulers
  • Lavishly decorated interior and exterior walls
  • Inspiration from Vatsyayana’s Kamasutra, so erotic theme is predominant
  • Three chambered temples - sanctum sanctorum, mandapa and ardha mandapa
  • Temples are north or east facing
  • Panchayatana style of temple making
  • Higher platform temples
  • Examples: Kandariya mahadeva temples and Lakshman temple at Madhya Pradesh.

3. Solanki School
  • Location: North western part of India including Gujarat and Rajasthan.
  • Patronage: Solanki rulers.
  • Walls are devoid of any cravings.
  • Garbha griha is connected to mandapa both internally and externally.
  • Porticos have decorative arched gateways called torans.
  • Presence of step tanks/ surya - kund in temple complex. Steps of the tank have small temple forms.
  • East facing temples.
  • Building material used: From sandstone to soft marble.
  • Example: Modhera sun temple, Gujarat.
B. Dravidian style of Architecture
  • Early dravidian temple architecture is developed under Pallava rulers Mahendravarman
  • They progressed in four stages:
    • 1st stage: Mahendra group - rock cut temples and mandapas
    • 2nd stage: Narasimha group - rock cut temples with intricate sculptures and mandapas as rathas
    • 3rd stage: Rajasimha group - Real structural temples in place of rock cut temples. Eg: Shore temple at Mahabalipuram, Kailashnath temple at kanchipuram
    • 4th stage: Nandivarman group - Smaller size temples
  • Dravidian style architecture achieved zenith during chola rulers regime
Major features:
  • Temples surrounded by high boundary walls
  • Gopura: High entrance gateway at front wall
  • Panchayatana style of temple architecture
  • Vimana: Spire is in the form of a stepped pyramid, rising linearly rather than curved. Present only on top of the main temple shrine, not on subsidiary shrines
  • Shikhara: similar to kalash in Nagara architecture. Octagon shaped
  • Antarala: Vestibular tunnel connecting assembly hall with the garbhagriha
  • Entrance of sanctum sanctorum has Dwaarpal, mithun and Yakshas structures
  • Presence of Water tank in the temple complex
  • Examples: Brihadeswara temple and Gangaikondacholapuram temple at Tanjore.

C. Nayaka School aka Madurai School:
  • Timeline: Between 1600 and 1800 AD
  • Patronage: Nayaka rulers
  • Major feature: Presence of Prakarns or huge corridors in portico
  • Major feature: large sized gopurams
  • Example: Meenakshi temple at Madurai has tallest gopuram in the world
D. Vesara School aka Karnataka School
  • Timeline: Mid 700 AD
  • Patronage: Later Chalulya rulers
  • Major feature: Combined features of Nagara School and Dravidian School.
  • Other features: Open ambulatory passageway; Intricate carvings of pillars, doorways and ceilings; Emphasis on Vimana and Mandapa
  • Examples: Dodda Basappa temple at Dambal, Ladkan temple at Aihole
E. Vijaynagar School
  • Timeline: Between mid-1300 AD to 1600 AD
  • Patronage: Vijayanagar rulers
  • Influence: Indo-Islamic style of Bijapur
  • Major features: Gopuram built on all the sides, More than one mandapa in the temple (main one is kalyana mandapa), secular buildings
  • Other features: Highly decorated wall carvings and geometrical patterns
  • Example: Vittalaswami temple, Lotus Mahal

F. Hoysala School
  • Location: Region of Karnataka with prime seats at Belur, Halebid and Sringeri
  • Timeline: Around 1050 - 1300 AD
  • Patronage: Hoysala rulers
  • Major features: Multiple shrines around central pillared hall, Stellate style for temple plan, one-metre-high upraised platforms for temples called Jagati
  • Other features: Major decoration of temple walls, walls and stairs follow zigzag pattern
  • Principle building material: Soft soap stone
  • Examples: Hoyasaleshwara temple at Halebid, Chennakeasava temple at Belur
G. Pala School
  • Timeline: Between 800 AD and 1200 AD
  • Patronage: Pala dynasty (Buddhist rulers) and Sena dynasty (Hindu rulers). Both religion influence
  • Location: Bengal region
  • Major feature: Bangla roof - Buildings had curve or sloping roof
  • Other features: Tall curving shikaras, Stone sculptures, lustrous finish in figurines
  • Principle building material: Terracotta bricks (Burnt bricks and clay)
  • Example: Siddhesvara Mahadeva temple in Barakar, temples around Vishnupur

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Indian Painting - Pre History

-
Image
    History and Evolution of Painting in India - An Overview India has a long tradition of artistic excellence and painting is one of the major mediums that has been used to express it. There is several evidence suggesting that painting flourished in India since ancient times. Archaeologists have found wall paintings in parts of India, which suggest that even the early historic man in India was engaged in activities of art and leisure The history of painting can be traced through the ancient and medieval period where the books were illustrated with paintings Then came the miniature style that dominated the Mughal and Rajput courts. With the coming of the Europeans, the art of painting and engraving took a western turn. Modern painters experimented with styles, colours and designs. Many Indian painters have gained worldwide recognition and are winning prizes and accolades for their vision. Principles of Painting The history of paintings can be known from primitive rock paintings of Bhim
Read more

Classification of Indian Paintings

-
Image
    Classification of Indian Paintings Indian Paintings have been broadly classified into two. Mural Paintings Miniature Paintings Mural Paintings The work on the walls or a solid structure are referred to as Murals. These have existed in India since ancient times and can be dated between 10th century BC and 10th century AD. The evidence of such paintings can be found at several locations in India. The beauty and the exquisiteness of mural paintings can be seen in places like Ajanta, Armamalai Cave, Ravan Chhaya Rock Shelter, Bagh Caves, Sittanavasal Caves and Kailash Temple in Ellora. Most of the mural paintings are either in natural caves or in rock cut chambers. The paintings follow a theme, the most common being Hindu, Buddhist and Jain. Mural paintings were also made to adorn any mundane premise. For e.g. Ancient theatre room in Jogimara Caves. Ajanta Cave Paintings One of the oldest surviving murals of Indian sub-continent, Ajanta caves were carved between 2nd century BC to 5th c
Read more

Folk Paintings

-
    Madhubani Paintings Traditionally done by the women of villages around Madhubani town (Bihar). It is also called Mithila Paintings. The paintings have a common theme and are usually drawn from religious motifs of the Hindus, including Krishna, Rama, Durga, Lakshmi and Shiva. The paintings are also made depicting auspicious occasions like birth, marriage and festivals. Flowers, trees, animals, etc. are used to fill any gaps in the painting. Traditionally, these were painted on walls using rice paste and vegetable colours on a base of cow dung and mud. With time, the base changed to handmade paper, clothes and canvas. Since there was no shading, the paintings are two-dimensional. Some of the common features of these paintings include double line border, bold use of colours, ornate floral patterns and exaggerated facial features. Since the art has remained confined to a specific geographical area, it has been given GI (geographical indication) status. Pattachitra Painting A traditiona
Read more