Nagara School of Architecture

Published on 09 Sep 2025

From 5th century AD onwards, a distinct style of temple architecture developed in the Northern part of India, known as the Nagara Style of Architecture. Even in the Nagara School, different sub-schools emerged in western, central and eastern parts of the country. Some of the features of Nagara style are:

• Shikhara: They are tall and curvilinear spires in shape which gradually rise in multiple storeys and exhibit intricate carvings

• Example: Adinatha Temple and the Kandariya Mahadeva Temple in Khajuraho

• Mandapa: A pillared hall that serves as a gathering space for devotees. Situated in front of the sanctum sanctorum (garbhagriha) and is supported by ornate pillars. 

• Garbhagriha: Innermost chamber of the temple that houses the main deity.

• Example: Garbhagriha at the Sasta Temple (Karikkad Ksetram) in Manjeri, the Siva Temple

• Urushringa: Miniature spire or tower. Often adorned with intricate carvings and decorative elements

• Example: Kandariya Mahadev Temple

• Molding and Sculptures: Also featured with elaborate sculptures and intricate carvings on the exterior walls, depicting various deities, mythological figures, and religious narratives. 

• Example: Khajuraho temples of Chandela dynasty

• Ornate Entrance Gateways: Featured with detailed carvings and sculptures, welcoming devotees into the sacred space. 

Features of Odisha School of Nagara Architecture

The Odisha School of Nagara architecture, also known as the Kalinga style, is a regional variant of the Nagara style of temple architecture that developed in the state of Odisha.

• Shikhara: The shikhara in the Odisha School was known as rekha deul. They were almost vertical roofs which suddenly curved inwards sharply.

• Example: Lingaraj temple in Bhubaneswar

• Temple walls: The exterior walls were lavishly decorated with intricate carvings, but interior walls were plain.

• Example: Jagannath temple in Puri

• Pillars: There was no use of pillars in the porch. Iron girders were used instead to support the roof.

• Example: Sun temple in Konark

• Mandapas: The mandap was known as jagamohan in this region.

• Example: Jagannath temple in Puri

• Boundary wall: Temples were surrounded by a boundary wall as in Dravidian style of temple architecture.

• Example: Jagannath temple in Puri

Solanki School of Nagara Architecture

Solanki School was patronized by the Solanki kings, also later Chalukyas of Gujarat, in the 11thto13thcenturies

• Walls of the temple: The temple walls were devoid of any carvings.

• Example: Modhera Sun Temple, Gujarat

• Gateways: The porticos had decorative arched gateways known as torans

• Water tank: A unique feature of this school is the presence of a step-tank, known as suryakund in the proximity of the temple.

• Example: Rani Ki Vav, Gujarat

• Garbhagriha: The garbhagriha was connected with the mandapa both internally as well as externally.

• Example: Dilwara Temples at Mount Abu 

• Materials: The Solankis used a variety of materials to make temples including sandstone, black basalt and soft marble.

• Example: Rani Ki Vav, Gujarat

• Facing of temple: Most of the temples are east-facing and designed such that every year during the equinoxes, the sunrays fall directly into the central shrine. 

• Example: Modhera Sun Temple, Gujarat (built in 1026–27 by Bhima-I)

• Other Features: The steps of the tank are full of small temples with wooden carvings present in them.

• Example: Modhera Sun Temple, Gujarat

Khajuraho School of Nagara Architecture

In the central part of India, the Chandela rulers developed a distinct style of temple making of their own known as Khajuraho School or Chandela School. The features of the temples included:

• Walls of the temple: Both the interior and exterior walls were lavishly decorated with carvings.

• Example: Kandariya Mahadev Temple

• Sculptures: The sculptures were generally erotic in their themes and drew inspiration from Vatsyayana’s Kamasutra.

• Example: Lakshmana Temple at Khajuraho

• Materials: The temples were made of sandstone

• Example: Kandariya Mahadev Temple

• Shikhara: Panchayatan style of temple making was followed. The subsidiary shrines had rekha-prasad shikharas creating an impression of a mountain range.

• Example: Kandariya Mahadev Temple

• Temple Complex Layout: Layout includes spacious courtyards, water tanks, subsidiary shrines, and intricately carved entrance gateways.

• Example: Lakshmana Temple at Khajuraho

• Structural Stability: They feature a unique mortise and tenon construction technique, which allows for interlocking of stones without the use of mortar.

• Example: Parsawanatha Jain Temple

Tags:
History & Culture

Keywords:
Nagara School of Architecture nagara nagara school architecture Indian architecture temple architecture Shikhara Adinatha Temple Kandariya Mahadeva Temple Khajuraho Latina Rekha-prasad Phamsana Phamsana Phamsana Valabhi mandapa Garbhagriha Sasta Temple Urushringa Odisha School Lingaraj temple rekha deul Jagannath temple puri Solanki School Modhera Sun Temple Rani Ki Vav Khajuraho School Lakshmana Temple Parsawanatha Jain temple

Syllabus:
General Studies Paper 1

Topics:
Art and Architecture