NAGARA STYLE OF ARCHITECTURE
WHY IN NEWS ?
- The Ram temple in Ayodhya, set for inauguration on January 22 has been designed in the Nagara style of temple architecture.
ABOUT NAGARA STYLE OF ARCHITECTURE:
- This Nagara style of temple architecture emerged in fifth century CE, during the late Gupta period, in northern India.
- It is common in the northern India for the entire temple to be built on a stone platform with a staircase leading to it.
- Other unique feature is the absence of elaborate boundary walls or gates.
- The Garbhagriha is always under the tallest tower.
- The temples of Nagara style are characterized by simple shikhara with square bases and inwardly curved walls with pointed apexes.
- Temples have flat, upward tapering projections consisting of a central Latin cusp and a miniature cusp on the quadrants formed by tapering spires.
- There are also many subdivisions in the Nagara temples, depending on the form of Shikhara.
- Amalaka or Kalash installed in Shikhara is another distinguishing feature of this form of temple style.
TEMPLES OF NAGARA STYLE OF ARCHITECTURE:
- The Kandariya Mahadeva Temple in M.P is an example of Nagara-style temple architecture.
- Other examples of Nagara-style architecture temples in India are the Sun Temple in Konark, the Sun Temple in Modhera, Gujarat, and the Ossian Temple in Gujarat.
REGIONAL VARIATIONS IN NAGARA ARCHITECTURE:
- The Orissan Nagara style is characterized by its towering shikhara and exquisite stone carvings as visible in temples of Bhubaneswar, Puri, and Konark in the state of Odisha exemplify this style.
- The Gujarati Nagara style is known for its elegance and simplicity.
- Temple complexes in the state of Gujarat, such as the Sun Temple in Modhera and the famous Somnath Temple, display this architectural style.
- The Rajasthani Nagara style is characterized by distinctive elements of Rajput architecture, fortified walls and ornate entryways.
- The Dilwara Temples in Mount Abu and the Sun Temple of Ranakpur are classic examples of this style.
