Temple Architecture
Arts & Culture · मंदिर स्थापत्य
📋Quick Overview
Indian temple architecture has 3 main styles: Nagara (North, curvilinear shikhara), Dravida (South, pyramidal vimana), Vesara (hybrid, Deccan). Khajuraho, Konark Sun Temple, Brihadeeswarar are key examples.
📖Key Facts
- •Nagara style = North India (curvilinear shikhara tower)
- •Dravida style = South India (pyramidal vimana with gopuram gateway)
- •Vesara style = Deccan/Karnataka (mix of Nagara+Dravida)
- •Khajuraho = MP (Nagara style, Chandela dynasty, erotic sculptures)
- •Konark Sun Temple = Odisha (chariot-shaped, 12 wheel pairs, UNESCO)
- •Brihadeeswarar Temple = Thanjavur, TN (Chola dynasty, Dravida, UNESCO)
📝More Important Facts
- •Jagannath Temple = Puri, Odisha (Nagara style, Char Dham)
- •Meenakshi Temple = Madurai, TN (Dravida, 14 gopurams)
- •Lingaraj Temple = Bhubaneswar, Odisha (Nagara, Deula style)
- •Dilwara Temples = Mount Abu, Rajasthan (Jain, marble carving)
- •Shore Temple = Mahabalipuram, TN (Pallava dynasty, UNESCO)
- •Kailasa Temple = Ellora, Maharashtra (rock-cut, Rashtrakuta)