GS Mains Special Article: History, Art and Culture ★ INDIAN TEMPLE ARCHITECTURE ★ A number of architectural texts known as the Shilpashastras were written in early medieval times. These refer to three major styles of temple architecture, Nagara, Dravida, and Vesara. The • Nagara style is associated with the land between the Himalayas and Vindhyas. • Dravida style with the land between the Krishna and Kaveri rivers, • Vesara style is sometimes associated with the area between the Vindhyas and the Krishna river. NAGARA STYLE : The Nagara style has its origin in the structural temples of the Gupta period, especially the Dashavtara temple of Deogarh and the brick temple of Bhitargaon. Two distinct features of the Nagara style are - planning and other elevation. • The plan is square with a number of gradual projections in the middle of each side which Imparts it a cruciform shape. When there is one projection on each side, it is called ‘triratha’, two projections – ‘Pancharatha’, three projections – ‘Saptharatha’ and four projections –‘Navaratha’. These projections can occur throughout the height of the structure. • In elevation it exhibits a tower (shikhara) gradually inclining towards in a convex curve. • The projections in the plan are also carried upwards to the top of the shikhara. View more.....drishtiias/upsc-exam-gs-resources-INDIAN-TEMPLE-ARCHITECTURE
Posted on: Thu, 28 Aug 2014 05:31:15 +0000
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