Temple Architecture of Ancient India

The Indian temple architecture was developed with high standards even in the past. The architectural style in different parts of the country was influenced by climatic, geographical, racial, ethnic, linguistic and historical factors. However, the three broad categories of the architectural styles of temples in India are the Nagara or the North Indian Style, the Dravida or the South Indian Style, and the Vesara or the mixed style. Also, there are a few regional styles like the Kerala, Bengal and Himalayan styles.  

Common Things to Different Architectural Styles

Almost all temples in ancient India had the following basic features:

1. Sanctum or garbhagriha: The main icon is housed at this point. It used to be a small cubicle with a single point of entry. Later on, this chamber grew larger.
2. Entrance: It used to be either a collonaded hall or a usually spacious portico. The space was to accommodate a large number of devotees, and it was called mandapa.
3. Mountain-like Spire: This is usually found in freestanding temples at the top. In North Indian temples, it has a curved shape called Shikhar. While in South Indian temples, it looks like a pyramidal tower and is known as vimana.
4. Vahan: It was the vehicle or mount of the temple’s main deity. It used to contain a dhvaj (traditional pillar) and is mounted axially before the garbhagriha.

Mithun or embracing couple sculptures were considered auspicious during those times. Hence, you will find them on any exterior wall, at the temple entrance, or on the walls between the main shrine and the mandapa. Let us discuss different ancient Indian temple styles:

Nagara or the North Indian Style

• Most North Indian temples were built on a stone platform, and steps were used to lead to the temple. 
• In Ancient India, temples had only one tower or Shikhar, while later temples had many.
• Garbhagriha always lies directly under the tallest Shikhar.
• There are three different architectural types in the nagara style. First is the Latina style, which has a simple shikhara with a square base, and the walls slope or curve inward to the top point.
• The second style is called phamsana. It has several slabs on the roof, eventually rising to a top point in the building centre. The temples of this style are broad and short, whereas the Latina ones are tall towers.
• The third style is called valabhi type. Here, the temples are rectangular and have a roof that eventually rises into a vaulted chamber. 
• Some examples of nagara style temples are the Sun temple at Konark, Ossian Temple in Gujarat etc. 

Dravida or the South Indian Style

• Dravida temples are enclosed by a compound wall, while nagara temples aren’t.
• The centre portion of the front side of the compound wall has an entrance gateway called the Gopuram.
• Vimana looks like a stepping pyramid that rises geometrically, unlike the curve-shaped Shikhar.
• The complex commonly holds a tank or large water reservoir.
• You will find a subsidiary shrine inside or close to the main temple.
• Examples are the Shore temple at Mahabalipuram, Shiva Temple of Thanjavur etc. 
• Just like the nagara temple, Dravida temples have subclasses too. Like:
  • Rectangular or ayatasra
  • Square or kuta or chaturasra
  • Circular or vritta
  • Octagonal or ashtasra
  • Elliptical or elephant backed is known as Gaja-prishta.

Central India Temples 

• Temples of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh have similar attributes.
• These ancient Indian temples are made of sandstone
• Temples belonging to central India have modest shrines with four pillars supporting a mandapa. The mandapa appears to be a square porch, lying before an equally square-sized room called garbhagriha.

West India Temples

• There are many temples in Rajasthan, Gujarat and western Madhya Pradesh.
• The stone here varies in type and colour. The most common stone is sandstone, but some temples used grey to black basalt. In a few temples, you can also see soft white marble. 

Eastern Style Temples 

• These temples include states like Bengal, Odisha and North East.
• Terracotta was extensively used to build these temples. 

Hill Temples

• A different kind of architecture was designed in Garhwal, Kumaon, Kashmir and Himachal hills.
• Kashmir’s closeness to major Gandhara sites has led to some Gandhara influence in terms of architecture.
• This also got mixed with Gupta and non-Gupta cultures.
• The brahmin monks and pundits travelled between Garhwal, Kashmir, Nalanda, Kanchipuram and Banaras.
• All of this led to intermingling in design. You can find some pagoda-shaped temples also here.

Some other styles of temples in ancient India were Deccan temples, Jain architectural developments and Buddhist architectural developments. Most Deccan temples are found in Karnataka. This architecture had both north and south influence. The most notable achievement of this kind of architecture was the Kailashnath temple at Ellora. The Buddhist temples had an unusual design, and they were neither Nagara nor Dravida. The first shrine of this architecture was made under the Bodhi tree and is likely to be constructed by King Ashoka. Jains were known for their prolific temple designs. You will find Jain temples across the entire nation except in the hills. The oldest Jain religious spots are located in Bihar. 

Conclusion

This post might have brought an insight into the architectural style of temples in India. We have tried and covered all the possible styles and their most prominent attributes.