Nagara Style orNagara architectural style is aHindu style of temple architecture, which is popular inNorthern,Central,Western andEastern India, especially in the regions aroundMalwa,Rajputana andKalinga.[1] Temples classified as Nagara Style are found inMadhya Pradesh,Uttar Pradesh,Rajasthan,Uttarakhand,Himachal Pradesh,Gujarat,Odisha,[2]Jharkhand,[3]Bihar,[3]Maharashtra,Andhra Pradesh (areas bordering Odisha) andWest Bengal (southwest andSundarbans areas).
Infifth century, the use of simple curvedShikhara (spires) begins in the temples; the earliest such temples being classified as Early Nagara Style.[4] The Early Nagara Style was transformed into the Mainstream Nagara Style in theseventh century.[5]
This architectural style is one of the two main styles ofHindu temple architecture, the other being theDravidian architectural style.[1] Nagara style has three sub-styles or schools, which differ slightly from each other. The sub-styles or schools areOrissa school,Chandel school andSolanki school.
Developed in North India, this style of temple is built on a simple stone platform. One or moreSikharas are observed in temples, but the earliest temples consist of only oneSikhara. Thegarbhagriha is always located directly below the highestSikhara. Also, the Nagara Style is characterized by the absence of boundary walls, which are widely used in theDravidian architectural style ofHindu temple architecture. Some temple complexs and individual structures in the Nagara Style are listed asUNESCOWorld Heritage Sites.[a]
The Nagara temple style evolved from theGupta structural temples. From about the 5th century onwards, the development of Nagara temple style began, which passed through three classes of formative stage and got its present form.[8]
Nagara architectural style are observed in northern, western and eastern parts of India. Since its origin, this style has gone through various changes to its present form. Variations within the style have developed over time from region to region, which have come to be recognized as sub-styles. Nagara architectural style has three sub-styles namelyChandel'',Solanki andOdisha sub-styles.
TheChandela School orChandela sub-style of temple construction originated inCentral India. It was developed by theChandel dynasty, the rulers of the Bundelkhand region (then calledJejakabhukti).This school or sub-style of temple construction is also known asKhajuraho School or sub-style. Temples built in this style have intricate carvings, which adorn the inner and outer walls. The sculptures in the temple are known for sensual themes, which were inspired byVatsyayana'sKama Sutra. Sandstones are mainly used in the construction of temples.[9]
ThisSolanki school or sub-style originated in northwestern India, particularly in the present-dayIndian states ofGujarat andRajasthan. As this sub-style expanded and developed, theSolanki kings provided support and encouragement. The walls of the temple, built in the Solanki sub-style, were without sculptures. Inside and externally thegarbhagriha andmandapa are interconnected. A terraced water tank, known asSurya Kund, is excavated next to temples of this sub-style. This sub-style has also come to be known as theMāru-Gurjara school or sub-style since the 20th century.[9]
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TheOdisha school or sub-style originated in the coastal regions ofeastern India, especially the presentIndian state ofOdisha andAndhra Pradesh bordering Odisha. This school or sub-style of temple construction is also known asKalinga School or sub-style.[10][11]
