TLDR;
This video explores the evolution, basic elements, and classification of temple architecture in India. It covers the transition from simple Vedic fire worship to complex stone structures, highlighting the Gupta period as the Golden Age of temple development. The video also details the key components of Hindu temples, such as the sanctum sanctorum, mandapa, and shikhara, and classifies temple architecture into Nagara, Dravidian, and Baisara styles, with a focus on the Nagara style and its regional variations.
- Temple architecture evolved from simple fire worship to complex stone structures.
- Key elements of Hindu temples include the sanctum sanctorum, mandapa, shikhara, and amalaka.
- Temple architecture is classified into Nagara, Dravidian, and Baisara styles.
Evolution of Temple Architecture [0:40]
Initially, worship in India was primarily based on fire rituals during the Vedic period. By the third century, stone and wood were used to construct basic structures, and in the fourth century, rock-cut cave temples emerged, particularly in hilly regions like the Badami Caves in Karnataka and the Udayagiri Khandagiri Caves in Odisha. These simple structures gradually evolved into more complex designs. Temples became central hubs for education, gatherings, festivals, and marriages, leading to the development of markets, palaces, and military garrisons around them, exemplified by the Meenakshi Aman Temple in Madurai and the Jagannath Temple in Puri.
Development During Gupta, Pallava and Chola Dynasties [1:53]
The fifth century marked the beginning of complex temple architecture, with the Gupta period being recognized as the Golden Age for its architectural innovations. During this time, temples were evolving in Northern India. Temple development in Southern India began in the seventh century under the Pallava Dynasty, with significant monuments like the Ratha Temple and Mahishasuramardini Mandapam being established in Mamallapuram by Rajasimha Varman, later declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984. Following the Pallavas, the Cholas, between the early 11th and 12th centuries, created Dravidian-style architectural marvels, including the Brihadeeswarar Temple in Thanjavur, the Gangaikonda Cholapuram Temple, and the Rawate Swara Temple, collectively known as the Great Living Chola Temples.
Regional Styles and Vijayanagara Empire [3:08]
Several regional styles also emerged, such as the Baisara style under the Chalukyas and Hoysalas. The Rashtrakutas constructed Dravidian-inspired temples like the Kailash Temple at Ellora in the 8th century. In the late 14th century, the Vijayanagara Empire became dominant in Southern India, introducing distinctive Raya Gopurams (gateways) and developing a unique style, as seen in the Vittala Swamy Temple and the Virupaksha Temple at Hampi.
Basic Elements of a Temple [3:53]
Indian temple construction adheres to the architectural principles of Shilpa Shastra and Vastu Shastra, which correlate cosmic values, directions, and alignment. Key elements include the sanctum sanctorum (garbhagriha), which houses the principal deity; the mandapa (entrance hall) for worshippers; the shikhara or vimana, a mountain-like projection above the temple, with curvy, linear sikharas in Northern India and stepped, pyramidal vimanas in Southern India; the amalaka, a stone disc atop the shikhara, common in Northern temples; the kalasha, the temple's finial resting on the amalaka; the antarala, a narrow passage connecting the sanctum sanctorum and the mandapa; the jagati, a raised platform in northern temples; and the vahana, the main deity's vestibule positioned in front of the sanctum sanctorum.
Classification of Temple Architecture [5:55]
Temple architecture varies across regions, with distinct designs and carvings in Northern and Southern India that reflect their respective cultures. Broadly, there are three types: the Nagara style, the Dravidian style, and the Baisara style. The Nagara style, which developed around the fifth century AD, is characterized by temples built on raised platforms and the Panchayatana style, where the main temple is square-shaped with subsidiary shrines. The mandapa is built in front of the principal shrine, and the sanctum sanctorum is situated below the tallest shikhara. Images of the Goddesses Ganga and Yamuna are carved outside the sanctum sanctorum.
Nagara Style Features [8:08]
Nagara-style temples are built on upper platforms and often feature the Panchayatana style. The mandapa, or assembly hall, is located directly in front of the principal shrine, with the sanctum sanctorum situated beneath the tallest shikhara. The shikhara can be single or multiple, with types including Rekha Prasada, Latana, Phamsana, and Vallabhi. A fluted disc, or amalaka, tops the shikhara, and spherical-shaped kalashas crown the amalaka. The walls are divided into vertical planes called rathas, adorned with narrative sculptures, and the sanctum sanctorum is enclosed by a covered pradakshina path, or ambulatory passage. Unlike the Dravidian style, Nagara temples typically lack water tanks and gateways.
Nagara Style in Various Regions - Central India [9:30]
In Central India, the Nagara style is prevalent in Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan, with temples primarily constructed using sandstone. A notable example is the Dashavatara Vishnu Temple in Deogarh, Uttar Pradesh, a classic Late Gupta period temple built in the Panchayatana style and topped with a Rekha Prasad Shikhara. This west-facing temple depicts Vishnu in three forms on its walls: Shesh Shayana, Narnarayana, and Gajendra Moksha. The Khajuraho Temple in Madhya Pradesh, a UNESCO World Heritage Site built in the 10th century by the Chandela rulers, features numerous erotic sculptures inspired by Vatsyayana's Kama Sutra and includes temples dedicated to both Hindu and Jain communities, such as the Kandariya Mahadev Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and the Lakshmana Temple.
Nagara Style in Various Regions - Western and Eastern India [11:24]
In Western India (Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Western Madhya Pradesh), Nagara-style temples are mostly made of sandstone and were built by the Solanki rulers. A prime example is the Sun Temple at Modhera in Gujarat, constructed by King Bhimdev I of the Solanki Dynasty, featuring the Surya Kund, a rectangular stepped tank, and torans (decorated gateways) leading to the assembly hall. The central shrine wall is plain, and the temple faces east, with the sun's rays directly illuminating the Central Shrine during the equinoxes. In Eastern India, the Nagara style is found in Northeast Odisha and Bengal. In Assam, Gupta influence is visible until the 10th century, while the Ahom style, a blend of Burmese and Bengal's Pala style, developed in Guwahati between the 12th and 14th centuries, exemplified by the Kamakhya Temple.
Nagara Style in Various Regions - Bengal and Odisha [12:53]
In Bengal, between the 9th and 11th centuries, Pala rulers incorporated curved or sloping roofs, known as Bangla roofs, which were later adopted by the Mughals. The figures were highly polished, giving them a metallic appearance. In Odisha, a distinct Kalinga style developed, characterized by a nearly vertical shikhara with a slight inverted curve towards the top, a mandapa (jagamohana) in front of the temple, intricately carved exterior walls, plain inner walls, and surrounding boundary walls. The Jagannath Temple of Puri and the Lingaraja Temple of Bhubaneswar reflect this style, but the Sun Temple of Konark is the best example. Built in 124 AD by Narasimha Deva of the Eastern Ganga Dynasty, the Sun Temple features detailed carvings, 12 pairs of Jaga wheels, and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984. The Konark Sun Temple is depicted on the reverse side of the ₹10 note.