Nagara Style of Temple Architecture

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Overview

1. News in Brief
2. Nagara style of temple architecture
3. Notable Examples of Nagara Style

Why in the News?

Constructed entirely using traditional and indigenous technology, emphasizing environmental conservation with 70% of the area left green.

News in Brief

• The Ram temple in Ayodhya is designed in the Nagara style of temple architecture.
• Constructed in the traditional Nagara style with a length of 380 feet, width of 250 feet, and height of 161 feet.
• Includes five mandaps (halls): Nritya Mandap, Rang Mandap, Sabha Mandap, Prathana Mandap, and Kirtan Mandap.
• Houses the childhood form of Bhagwan Shri Ram (Shri Ram Lalla) in the main sanctum sanctorum and a Shri Ram Darbar on the first floor.
• four Mandirs Surya Dev, Devi Bhagwati, Ganesh Bhagwan, and Bhagwan Shiv, along with Mandirs for Maa Annapurna and Hanuman.
• Surrounded by a Parkota (Rectangular compound wall) with a length of 732 meters and a width of 14 feet.
• Incorporates special bricks known as “Ram Shilas”.

Nagara style of temple architecture

• The Nagara style of temple architecture emerged sometime in the fifth century CE.
• The Nagar style of temple architecture is one of the prominent traditional architectural styles in India, primarily associated with the northern part of the country.
• It is characterized by its distinct features, including the shikhara or vimana (tower) structure, intricate carvings, and overall symmetry.
• The Nagar style is often contrasted with the Dravidian style, which is prevalent in South India.

Key Features of the Nagar style

• Shikhara or Vimana:
  • The most distinctive feature of the Nagar style is the tower or shikhara that rises above the main sanctum of the temple.
  • The shikhara is typically curved or ribbed and has a pyramidal shape, narrowing as it ascends.
• Mandapa:
  • Nagar style temples often have a pillared hall or mandapa, which serves as an entrance porch or assembly hall for religious and cultural activities.
  • The mandapa is usually situated in front of the sanctum and is supported by intricately carved pillars.
• Garbhagriha (Sanctum Sanctorum):
  • The inner sanctum or garbhagriha houses the main deity of the temple.
  • The sanctum is often square in shape and is surmounted by the shikhara.
• Amalaka and Kalasha:
  • The top of the shikhara may be adorned with an amalaka, which is a circular, ridged ornament.
  • A kalasha, a pot-like finial, is often placed atop the amalaka.
• Carvings and Sculptures:
  • Nagar style temples feature intricate carvings and sculptures, depicting various deities, mythological stories, and ornamental motifs.
  • The outer walls of the temple are adorned with friezes and panels showcasing religious and secular themes.
• Symmetry:
  • Nagar temples are known for their symmetrical layout and design, with a focus on geometric precision in their architectural elements.
• Entrance Porch:
  • The entrance porch, often supported by pillars, leads to the mandapa and the sanctum.
• Common Materials:
  • Temples in the Nagar style are typically constructed using stone or, in some cases, brick.
• Examples of Nagar Style Temples:
  • Some well-known examples of temples in the Nagar style include the temples in Khajuraho, Bhojpur, and the Kandariya Mahadeva Temple.
• Evolution:
  • The Nagar style has evolved over the centuries, with variations in different regions and periods. The architecture of these temples has been influenced by historical, cultural, and regional factors.

Notable Examples of Nagara Style

The Nagar style of temple architecture is associated with northern India, and there are several notable temples built in this style. Here are a few examples:

1. Kandariya Mahadeva Temple, Khajuraho:
   • Located in Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh, this temple is part of the Khajuraho Group of Monuments, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was built by the Chandela dynasty and is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple is known for its intricate carvings, including depictions of various deities and sensuous sculptures.
2. Lakshmana Temple, Khajuraho:
   • Another masterpiece in Khajuraho, the Lakshmana Temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. It is one of the largest and most well-preserved temples in the Khajuraho complex. The temple’s shikhara (tower) is a prominent feature of the Nagar style.
3. Baijnath Temple, Bageshwar:
   • Located in Uttarakhand, the Baijnath Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is believed to have been built in the 12th century. The temple complex includes a cluster of small shrines in the Nagar style, and it is situated on the banks of the Gomati River.
4. Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Varanasi:
   • One of the most sacred temples for Hindus, the Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, is dedicated to Lord Shiva. While the current structure has gone through several renovations, it reflects elements of the Nagar style in its architecture.
5. Bhojeshwar Temple, Bhojpur:
   • Located near Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh, the Bhojeshwar Temple is an incomplete temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. It was commissioned by Raja Bhoja in the 11th century. The temple features a massive lingam and exhibits elements of the Nagar style.
6. Chintamani Parsvanath Temple, Khajuraho:
   • This Jain temple in Khajuraho is dedicated to Lord Parsvanath, the 23rd Tirthankara. It is known for its sculptural details and architectural elements typical of the Nagar style.
7. Kandariya Mahadeva Temple, Khajuraho:
   • This temple, part of the Khajuraho Group of Monuments, is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is one of the largest and most ornate temples in Khajuraho, showcasing intricate carvings and architectural features of the Nagar style.

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