Serzeqy at 08:42, 19 March 2026

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{{Short description|Hindu architectural style}}
{{other uses|Nagara}}
[[File:Architecture of a Vishnu temple, Nagara style, 1915 sketch.jpg|250px|thumb|right|Design of a Vishnu Temple belonging to the ''Nagara Style'', drawn in 1915]]
'''The Nagara Style''' or '''Nagara architectural style''' is a [[Hinduism|Hindu]] style of temple architecture, which is popular in [[North India|Northern]], [[Central India|Central]], [[Western India|Western]] and [[East India|Eastern India]], especially in the regions around [[Malwa]], [[Rajputana]] and [[Kalinga (historical region)|Kalinga]].<ref name="Dhaky1977p7">{{cite book|author=Madhusudan A. Dhaky|title=The Indian Temple Forms in Karṇāṭa Inscriptions and Architecture|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VyW32NwcMr4C |year=1977|publisher=Abhinav Publications|isbn=978-81-7017-065-5|pages=7–13}}</ref> Temples classified as Nagara Style are found in [[Madhya Pradesh]], [[Uttar Pradesh]], [[Rajasthan]], [[Uttarakhand]], [[Himachal Pradesh]], [[Gujarat]], [[Odisha]],{{Sfn|Hardy|2007|p=195–203}} [[Jharkhand]],{{Sfn|Hardy|2007|p=194}} [[Bihar]],{{Sfn|Hardy|2007|p=194}} [[Maharashtra]], [[Andhra Pradesh]] (areas bordering Odisha) and [[West Bengal]] (southwest and [[Sundarbans]] areas).

In the [[5th century|fifth century]], the use of simple curved ''[[Shikhara]]'' ([[Spire|spires]]) began in temples; the earliest such temples being classified as Early Nagara Style.{{Sfn|Hardy|2007|p=168–173}} The Early Nagara Style was transformed into the Mainstream Nagara Style in the [[7th century|seventh century]].{{Sfn|Hardy|2007|p=174–176}}

This architectural style is one of the two main styles of [[Hindu temple architecture]], the other being the [[Dravidian architecture|Dravidian architectural]] style.<ref name="Dhaky1977p7"/> The Nagara style has three sub-styles or schools, which differ slightly from each other. The sub-styles or schools are ''Orissa school'', ''Chandel school'' and ''Solanki school''.

Developed in North India, this style of temple is built on a simple stone platform. One or more ''Sikhara''s are observed in temples, but the earliest temples consist of only one ''Sikhara''. The ''[[garbhagriha]]'' is always located directly below the highest ''Sikhara''. Also, the Nagara Style is characterized by the absence of boundary walls, which are widely used in the [[Dravidian architecture|Dravidian architectural]] style of [[Hindu temple architecture]]. Some temple complexes and individual structures in the Nagara Style are listed as [[UNESCO]] [[World Heritage Site|World Heritage Sites]].{{efn|The [[Khajuraho Group of Monuments|Khajuraho temple complex]],{{Sfn|Hardy|2007|p=182 and 185}} and the [[Konark Sun Temple]]{{Sfn|Hardy|2007|p=202}} and [[Mahabodhi Temple]]{{Sfn|Hardy|2007|p=194}} built in ''Nagara Style'', which are recognized as UNESCO [[World Heritage Site|World Heritage Sites]].}}

== History ==
=== Origin and formative stage ===
The Nagara temple style evolved from the [[Gupta]] structural temples. From about the 5th century onwards, the development of Nagara temple style began, which passed through three formative stages until reaching its present form.{{Sfn|Hardy|2007|p=168}}

== Schools of Nagara Style ==
Nagara architectural style are observed in northern, western and eastern parts of India. Since its origin, this style has gone through various changes to its form. Variations within the style have developed over time from region to region, which have come to be recognized as sub-styles. Nagara architectural style has three sub-styles, namely ''Chandel'', ''Solanki'' and ''Odisha''.

=== Chandela School ===
The ''Chandela School'' or ''Chandela sub-style'' of temple construction originated in [[Central India]]. It was developed by the [[Chandelas of Jejakabhukti|Chandel dynasty]], the rulers of the [[Bundelkhand]] region (then called ''Jejakabhukti'').This school or sub-style of temple construction is also known as ''Khajuraho'' School or sub-style. Temples built in this style have intricate carvings, which adorn the inner and outer walls. The sculptures in the temple are known for sensual themes, which were inspired by [[Vātsyāyana|Vatsyayana]]'s ''[[Kama Sutra]]''. [[Sandstone]] is mainly used in the construction of such temples.{{Sfn|Rastogi|2023|p=7}}

<gallery mode="packed" heights="120px">
File:RNS Khajuraho23.jpg|[[Vamana Temple, Khajuraho|Vamana Temple]]
File:Vishwanath N-MP-23.jpg|[[Vishvanatha Temple, Khajuraho|Vishwanath temple]]
File:The Chitragupta temple, Khajuraho 03.jpg|[[Chitragupta Temple, Khajuraho|Chitragupta temple]]
</gallery>

===Solanki school ===
The ''Solanki'' school or sub-style originated in [[Northwest India]], particularly in the present-day [[States and union territories of India|Indian states]] of [[Gujarat]] and [[Rajasthan]]. As this sub-style expanded and developed, the [[Solanki dynasty|Solanki]] kings provided support and encouragement. The walls of temples built in the Solanki sub-style are without sculptures. Internally and externally the ''[[garbhagriha]]'' and ''[[mandapa]]'' are interconnected. A terraced water tank, known as ''Surya Kund'', is often found next to temples of this sub-style. This sub-style has also come to be known as the [[Māru-Gurjara architecture|''Māru-Gurjara'']] school or sub-style since the 20th century.{{Sfn|Rastogi|2023|p=7}}

<gallery mode="packed" heights="120px">
File:Rani ki vav 02.jpg|[[Rani ki Vav|Rani Ki Vav]], [[Patan, Gujarat|Patan]]
File:Taranga Jain Tirth, Satlasana, Mehsana, Gujarat, India (2017).jpg|[[Taranga Jain temple]]
File:Navlakha arial view 03.jpg|[[Navlakha temple|Navlakha Temple]]
</gallery>

=== Odisha School ===
The ''Odisha'' school or sub-style originated in the coastal regions of [[East India]], especially the present [[States and union territories of India|Indian state]] of [[Odisha]] and [[Andhra Pradesh]]. This school or sub-style of temple construction is also known as ''[[Kalinga architecture|''Kalinga'']]'' School or sub-style.{{Sfn|Rastogi|2023|p=6}}{{Sfn|Dey|2022|p=86}}

<gallery mode="packed" heights="120px">
File:Lingaraj Temple complex at dusk during Shivratri 2020.jpg|[[Lingaraja Temple|Lingaraj Temple]], [[Bhubaneswar]]
File:Konark Temple Panorama2.jpg|[[Konark Sun Temple]], [[Konark]]
File:Shri Jagannatha Temple.jpg|[[Jagannath Temple, Puri|Jagannath Temple]], [[Puri]]
</gallery>

== Notes ==
{{notelist}}

== References ==
{{reflist|3}}

==Bibliography==
* {{cite book |last1=Hardy |first1=Adam |title=The temple architecture of India |date=2007 |publisher=J. Wiley and sons |location=Chichester (GB) |isbn=978-0-470-02827-8}}
* {{cite book |last1=Rastogi |first1= Twinkle |title =Study of North Indian-Style or Nagara Style of Indian Architecture in the Temples of Gwalior Fort |url= https://www.researchgate.net/publication/370843563_STUDY_OF_NORTH_INDIAN-STYLE_OR_NAGARA_STYLE_OF_INDIAN_ARCHITECTURE_IN_THE_TEMPLES_OF_GWALIOR_FORT |date= May 2023 |pp = 1-14 |isbn = 978-81-960067-2-3}}
* {{cite web |last1=Vardia |first1=Shweta |title=Building Science of IndianTemple Architecture |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/322852250_Building_Science_of_Indian_Temple_Architecture |access-date=19 November 2023}}
*{{cite journal |last1=Kumar |first1=Surender |last2=Ashish |first2=Dalal |last3=Sitender |first3=Chillar |title=Building Science of Ancient Indian Temples |journal=International Journal of Engineering Sciences Paradigms and Researches |url=https://www.ijesonline.com/GTC_Conference/paper%2021.pdf |access-date=19 November 2023}}
* {{cite book |last1=Dey |first1=Monidipa |title=Himachal Temple & The Bengal Connection |date=2022|publisher=Garuda Prakashana Private Limited |location=Gurugram, India |isbn=979-8-88575-058-5}}

{{Architecture of India}}

[[Category:Indian architectural styles]]

Nagara Style - Revision history

Serzeqy at 08:42, 19 March 2026