Q.6 What are the Characteristics of North Indian Style (Nagara)Temples ?
Ans: The Nagara style of temple architecture emerged some time in the fifth century CE, during the late Gupta period, in northern India. It is seen in comparison with the Dravida style of southern India, which too emerged in the same period.
Nagara (North Indian) Temple Style: Key Characteristics and Sub-Types
Stone Platform and Steps
- Temples built on a raised stone platform
- Accessed by steps leading up from ground level
- Typically lack elaborate boundary walls or gateways (unlike Dravidian/South Indian temples)
Shikhara (Tower)
- Early temples had a single tall shikhara
- Later temples often featured multiple shikharas clustered like mountain peaks
- Garbhagriha (sanctum) located directly under the tallest shikhara
Main Subtypes of Nagara Shikhara
- Latina (Rekha-prasada)
- Square base
- Walls curve or slope inward to a pointed top
- Appears as a sharply rising tower
Phamsana
- Broader and shorter profile compared to latina
- Roof composed of slabs rising to a single point
- Slopes upwards on a straight incline (no inward curving)
- Commonly used for mandapas, with the main garbhagriha in a latina tower
Valabhi
- Rectangular building with a vaulted (wagon-vault) roof
- Roof edges resemble rounded forms seen in ancient bullock-drawn wagons
Influenced by pre-fifth-century architectural forms, similar to Buddhist rock-cut chaitya
Valabhi
- Rectangular building with a vaulted (wagon-vault) roof
- Roof edges resemble rounded forms seen in ancient bullock-drawn wagons
- Influenced by pre-fifth-century architectural forms, similar to Buddhist rock-cut chaitya halls with curved backs and vaulted ceilings
| Source : Book NCERT Fine Arts : Chapter 6 : Page: 72-73 |
| Extra Info : अब आप मध्य भारत / पूर्व-पश्चिम भारत / दक्षिण भारत के मंदिरों की विशेषताएँ याद करोगे NCERT me Dii hui hai …Vaha se Padh lena Dravidian Style se kaise alag hai ???? |