history

1. SUBMITTED TO:
Miss Kirti Varandani
PRESENTED BY:
Deepika Khotwani
Hardik Kapil
Pratibha Dashora
Priya Pearl
Priyanka Rajawat
Ritika Pareek
Siddharth Saini
NORTH INDIAN TEMPLE
ARCHITECTURE

2. ARCHITECTURE UNDER GUPTAS
• The temple architecture that flourished during the golden
era of Indian history was one of the aspects of all round
development of the art and culture during Gupta period.
• There are two types of art classified as:-
a)Static Art b)Dynamic Art

3. • There is historical
importance of temple
construction in Gupta
period architecture.
• As a result it several
statues were
constructed and
temples were during
this period Mathura,
Banaras & Patna were
the centers of artistic
activities during this
period.

4. • There are two main features of the art constructions
of building design of this period:-
a)There was development of original Indian art after disentangling
from the foreign influence. Most of its examples have use of stone
instead bricks.
b)They restored to use of Indian relief work for depiction of beauty
in place of foreign influence ornamentation .the outer form and
inner meaning are linked up in the same way as body and mind.

5. CAVE TEMPLE
• The earliest caves temples of the country were constructed
during third century BC.
• These temples of Brahamanical order were constructed from
350AD to 650AD during Gupta period.
Example: Temple at Udyagiri hills near
Bhilasa,Madhya Pradesh 55km
East of Bhopal is partly rock cut
and partly stone built.

6. TEMPLE ARCHIRECTURE
• Brahamanical order was revived during this period. Several temples
were constructed because of the religious spirit.
• The characteristic features of the temples of this period are:-
i. Temples were constructed on high platform.
ii. There were steps on all four sides to reach platform.
iii. Earlier temples had flat roof but later temples had shikhara on them.
iv. The outer walls of the temples use to be plain and simple without
any ornanmentation.The stone masonry is finely dressed.
v. Garbh Grigh use to house to statue.Ordinarliy entrance was
decorative. There use to be statues of Ganga and Yamuna on the
entrance pillars.
vi. A covered Pradakshina Path was provided around Garbh Grih.

7. vii. The roof of the temple was supported on four ornamented
columns. A square stone piece use to use rest on each of the
capitals of the four columns. Each of these square blocks use
blocks use to support statues of fours half lions seated back to
back.
viii. Most of the time there use to be a pillared entrance foyer or
verandah in front of such temples.
ix. The door way leading to the Garbh Grih was chief center of
attraction in most of the temples.
• Gupta period temples can classified in two categories based on their
architecture:-
i. Early Gupta period(319-550AD) temples, under which Bhoomra’s
Shiv temple & Nachna’s Parvati temples can be grouped, which
have flat roofs.
ii. Late Gupta Period (550-605AD)temples, under which Deogarh’s
Dashavatar temple can be grouped, which have Shikhara on it.

8. TEMPLE AT TIGWA
• Situated on a high hill mount in a place
called Tigwa in district Jabalpur of Madhya Pradesh.
• it is believed that there two temples at this places, one is flat roof
and other with a Shikhara and Amalak.
• It similar to Gupta period temple at Udaygiri.
• At present, a Garbhgrih is remains which is a square of 8ft i.e 2.4M in
a plan and has an idol Narsingha established inside.

9. NAGARA STYLE ARCHITECTURE
• Also called North Indian Architecture Style
• Terminologies in Nagara Style Architecture are :-
i. Kalash
ii. Amalaka: is a stone disk,ususally with ridges on the rim,that sits
a top of temple’s main tower(Shikar)
iii. Antarala: is a small antechamber or foyer between the
Garbhagribha(Shrine)and the mandapan.
iv. Shikhara: called Shikar,the superstructure or toer above the
santuary and also above the mandapas (porches or halls)
v. Mahamandapa: is the pavilion constructed right in front of the
gudhamandapa of the temple and it is always bigger than the
gudhamandapa.

10. vi. Mandapa: is a pillared outdoor hall or pavilion for public
rituals.
vii. Ardhamandapa: is a porch like structure through the entrance
gate and leading to the temple.
viii. Garbhagriha: The prayer hall was generally built in front of
temple’s sanctum sanctrum.
ix. Pradhakshinapatha(Parikrama): refers to circumambulation of
scared placed in Hindu, Jain or Buddhist.

11. NAGARA STYLE ARCHITECTURE

12. SAILENT FEATURES OF THE RELIGION
i. HOLI: It signifies the victory of good (Prince Prahlad)
over evil (Holika) and the arrival of spring.
ii. KRISHNA JANMASTAHTMAI: It is the annual celebration
of the birthday of Lord Krishna.
iii. GURUPURAB: It is the celebration of the
anniversaries of the ten Sikh Gurus.

13. METHODS OF WORSHIP
i. MURTI: an image or statute which express a divine spirit (murta)
ii. PUJA: is a religious ritual performed by Hindus and it is done on a
variety of occasions, daily puja in home
iii. Aarti: is a Hindu temple religious ritual of worship of a part of puja.
It is performed during almost all the Hindus ceremonies and
occasions.
• SOME EXAMPLE OF NAGARA ARCHICTURE STYLE:
1. Udaigri,near Sanchi
2. Gupta Temple at Tigawa
3. Lingaraj Temple at Bhubhaneshwar
4. Sun Temple at Modhera
5. Sun Temple Konark
6. Kandheriya mahadev Temple at Khajuraho
7. Cheenna Keshava Temple at Belur & Somnathpur
8. Chaumukh Temple at Rankpur
9. Dilwara Temple at Mount Abu

14. MODHERA
SUN TEMPLE

15. • The Sun Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to the
solar deity Surya located at Modhera village of Mehsana
district, Gujarat, India. It is situated on the bank of the
river Pushpavati.
• It was built in 1026-27 AD during the reign of Bhima I of
the Chaulukya dynasty.
• The temple complex has three
components: Gudhamandapa, the shrine
hall; Sabhamandapa, the assembly hall and Kunda, the
reservoir.
• The place was later known as Sita ni
Chauri and Ramkund locally.

16. • The temple complex is built in Maru-Gurjara style
(Chaulukya style).
• The temple complex has three axially aligned
components; the shrine proper (garbhagriha) in a hall
(gudhamandapa), the outer or assembly hall
(sabhamandapa or rangamandapa) and a sacred
reservoir (kunda).
• The sabhamandapa is not in continuation
with gudhamandapa but is placed little away as a
separate structure. Both are built on paved platform.
• Their roofs have collapsed long ago leaving behind few
lower-most courses. Both roofs are 15' 9" in diameter
but are constructed differently.
ARCHITECTURE

17. •Plan of temple complex:
(from top to
bottom) Gudhamandapa, the
shrine hall; Sabhamandapa,
the assembly hall and Kunda,
the reservoir

18. • The Gudhamandapa measures 51 feet 9 inches by 25 feet 8
inches. It is almost equally divided into Gudhamandapa, the
hall and garbhgriha, the shrine proper.
• The Gudhamandapa measures 51 feet 9 inches by 25 feet 8
inches. It is almost equally divided into Gudhamandapa, the
hall and garbhgriha, the shrine proper.
• The three projections of outer wall of Gudhamandapa had
windows on each side and the east projection had the
doorway. These windows had perforated stone screens; the
northern is in ruins and the southern is missing.
• Pradakshinamarga is formed by the passage between the
walls of garbhgriha and the outer walls of gudhamandapa.
GUDHAMANDAPA & GARBHGRIYA

19. Gudhamandapa with annotation of
exterior mouldings.
GUDHAMANDAPA

20. • Sabhamandapa or Rangamandapa, the assembly hall or
dancing hall is parallelogram in plan with rows of pillars
opening entrance on each side diagonally.
• The extensively carved exterior has series of recessed
corners giving impression of the star like plan of it.
• There are 52 intricately carved pillars representing 52
weeks of the year.
SABHAMANDAPA

21. Sabhamandapa with
ornately carved pillars and
exterior
Sabhamandapa with
annotation of exterior
mouldings
Ceiling of
Sabhamanpada

22. • Base mouldings-
the pitha is almost similar to the Gudhamandapa but smaller as two
courses of fillets are omitted. The padma is carved richly here with
floral ornamentation.
• Wall mouldings-
above the Narathara, there is a band with figures of dancers and
gods known as rajasena. The next is vedi which correspond
to jangha of mandovara decorated with large panels of gods,
goddesses and floral designs.
• Ceiling and torana-
The roof was in shape of stepped pyramid but it no longer exists.
Inside, the walnut-shaped ceiling rises in tiers which has numerous
floral girdles. It is 23 feet high. Torana or the decorated cusped
arches arise from the lower brackets of the pillars and touch the
lintels in middle.

23. • The pillars of Sabhamandapa and Gudhamandapa are
of two types; short and tall. The short pillars rests on
walls and supports the roof. The tall pillars rise from the
floor.
PILLARS
SHORT PILLARS TALL PILLARS
The shaft is square in shape till half
of its height followed by vase and
then followed by octagonal shaft. It
is surmounted by a capital and a
bracket. The square part has floral
design in circle on each side of faces.
The vase is decorated similarly on its
corners.
They arise from square or octagonal
base, kumbhi, with triangular
ornamentation on each face. Above it
is kalasha. It is followed by a deep band
and the next is kevala decorated
with chaitya-windows.

24. Long and short pillars,
semicircular and triangular
arches
Pillars of Kirti-torana and
steps leading to kunda

25. • Kunda, a tank or reservoir is known as Ramakunda or
Suryakunda.
• The flight of steps through kirti-torana leads to the
reservoir. It is rectangular. It measures 176 feet from
north to south and 120 feet from east to west. It is paved
with stones all around.
• There are four terraces and recessed steps to descend
to reach the bottom of the tank. The main entrance lies
on west.
• These steps are rectangular or square except the first
step of each flight of steps which is semicircular.
KUNDA

26. VIEW OF KUNDA

27. • KIRTI TORANA-
There was a kirti-torana, the triumphant arch, in front
of sabhamandapa. The pediment and torana no longer exists
but two pillars remains. The moulding and decoration is
similar to that of walls of sabhamandapa and pillars.There
were two more kirti-torana on each side of the kunda of which
only one exists without upper part.
• STEPWELL-
The stepwell on the west of Kunda has one entrance and two
pavilion-towers. It is moderately ornamented. The door-frame
has lotus and leaves and the ruchaka type pilasters indicate it
belongs to 11th century. The small mandapa above the
ground level and located on the second kuta of stepwell may
belong to 10th century.

28. KANDARIYA
MAHADEV TEMPLE
KHAJURAHO

29. • The Kandariya Mahadeva Temple meaning "the Great God
of the Cave", is the largest and most ornate Hindu temple in
the medieval temple group found at Khajuraho (Chhatarpur
district) in Madhya Pradesh, India. It is considered one of the
best examples of temples preserved from the medieval period
in India.
• Khajuraho was once the capital of the Chandela dynasty. The
Kandariya Mahadeva Temple, one of the best examples of
temples preserved from the medieval period in India, is the
largest of the western group of temples in the Khajuraho
complex which was built by the Chandela rulers.
• The Kandariya Mahadeva temples was built during the reign
of Vidyadhara (r. c. 1003-1035 CE). At various periods of the
reign of this dynasty many famous temples dedicated to
Vishnu, Shiva, Surya, Shakti of the Hindu religion and also for
the Thirthankaras of Jain religion were built.

30. • The Kandariya Mahadeva Temple, 31 metres (102 ft) in
height, is in the western complex, which is the largest
among the three groups of the Khajuraho complex of
temples.
• This western group of temples, consisting of the
Kandariya, Matangeshwara and Vishvanatha temples, is
compared to a "cosmic design of a hexagon (a yantra or
Cosmo gram)" representing the three forms of Shiva.
• The temple architecture is an assemblage of porches
and towers which terminates in a shikhara or spire, a
feature which was common from the 10th century
onwards in the temples of Central India.
ARCHITECTURE

31. • The temple is founded on a massive plinth of 4 metres (13 ft)
height.
• The temple structure above the plinth is dexterously planned
and pleasingly detailed.
• The superstructure is built in a steep mountain shape or form,
symbolic of Mount Meru which is said to be the mythical
source of creation of the world.
• The superstructure has richly decorated roofs which rise in a
grand form terminating in the shikara, which has 84 miniature
spires.
• The temple is in layout of 6 square kilometres (2.3 sq mi), of
which 22 are extant including the Kaṇḍāriyā Mahādeva
Temple. This temple is characteristically built over a plan of 31
metres (102 ft) in length and 20 metres (66 ft) in width with the
main tower soaring to a height of 31 metres (102 ft), and is
called the "largest and grandest temple of Khajuraho".

32. • A series of steep steps with high rise lead from the ground level to
the entrance to the temple.The layout of the temple is a five-part
design, a commonality with the Lakshmana and Vishvanatha
temples in the Khajuraho complex. Right at the entrance there
is torana, a very intricately carved garland which is sculpted from a
single stone; such entrances are part of a Hindu wedding
procession.
• The carvings are of circles, undulations giving off spirals or sprays,
geometric patterns, masks of lions and other uniform designs which
has created a pleasant picture that is unique to this temple, among
all others in the complex.
• In the interior space from the entrance there are three mandapas or
halls, which successively rise in height and width, which is inclusive
of a small chamber dedicated to Shiva, a chamber where Shiva's
wife, Parvati is deified, and a central sanctum or garbhagriha (literal
meaning "womb chamber") where the Shiva linga, the phallic
emblem of Shiva is deified.

33. PLAN OF KANDARIYA MAHADEV
TEMPLE

34. Various features of the
temple marked on the
Kandariya Mahadev Temple.
The main temple tower with 84 mini
spires.

36. Kornak Sun temple,
Kornak,Orissa
 Also known for foerotic sculptures of maithunal
 Built in 13th century
 Built by King Narashimadeva of Eastern Ganga Dynasty
 Built from Khonadalite rock
 Built in form of giant ornamented chariot of sun god’Surya’
 Temple built at month of silver Chandragupta

37.  The temple complex is in the shape of a Gigantic Chariot
 Having elaborated carved stone wheels, pillars and walls
 Konark drives from combination of Sanskrit word,
Kona(corner or angle)Ark(sun)
 Monument also called Black pagoda by European sailor
 Have twelve pairs of elaborately carved stone pulled by set
of seven horses
 Follows traditional style of Kalinga architecture
 Carefully orientated towards East so that fast rays of sunrise
strike the principle entrance
 Temple is UNCSO World Heritage Site

40. LINGARAJA TEMPLE
 Lingaraja Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Harihara, a form
of Shiva and Vishnu and is one of the oldest temples in
Bhubaneswar, the capital of the East Indian state of Odisha. The
temple is the most prominent landmark of the Bhubaneswar city
and one of the major tourist attractions of the state.
 The Lingaraja temple is the largest temple in Bhubaneswar.
 Lingaraj, literally means the king of Lingam, the iconic form or
Shiva. Shiva was originally worshipped as Kirtivasa and later as
Harihara and is commonly referred as Tribhuvaneshwara (also
called Bhubaneswar), the master of three worlds, namely, heaven,
earth and netherworld. His consort is called Bhuvaneshvari.
 The temple is believed to have been built by the Somavanshi king
Yayati I (1025-1040), during the 11th century CE.The temple in its
present form dates back to the last decade of the eleventh century.
There is evidence that part of the temple was built during the sixth
century CE as mentioned in some of the seventh century Sanskrit
texts.

41. Temple plan of Lingaraja
temple:
from the top vimana
(structure containing the
sanctum), jagamohana
(assembly hall),
natamandira (festival hall)
and bhoga-mandapa (hall
of offerings)

42. • It is enshrined within a spacious compound wall of laterite measuring 520 ft (160
m) by 465 ft (142 m). The wall is 7.5 ft (2.3 m) thick and surmounted by a plain slant
coping. Alongside the inner face of the boundary wall, there is a terrace to protect
the compound wall against outside aggression. The tower is 45.11 m (148.0 ft) high
and the complex has 150 smaller shrines in its spacious courtyard. Each inch of the
55 m (180 ft) tall tower is sculpted. The door in the gate of the entrance porch is
made of sandalwood.
• The Lingaraja temple faces east and is built of sandstone and laterite. The main
entrance is located in the east, while there are small entrances in the north and
south. The temple is built in the Deula style that has four components namely,
vimana (structure containing the sanctum), jagamohana (assembly hall),
natamandira (festival hall) and bhoga-mandapa (hall of offerings), with all four in
axial alignment with descending height. The dance hall was associated with the
raising prominence of the devadasi system that existed during the time. The
various units from the Hall of offering to the tower of the sanctum increase in
height.

43. • The bhogamandapa (Hall of offering) measures 42 ft (13 m)*42 ft (13 m) from the
inside, 56.25 ft (17.15 m)*56.25 ft (17.15 m) from the outside and has four doors in
each of the sides. The exterior walls of the hall has decorative sculptures of men
and beast. The hall has a pyramidal roof made of up several horizontal layers
arranged in sets of two with intervening platform. It bears an inverted bell and a
kalasa in the top.
• The natamandira (festival hall) measures 38 ft (12 m)*38 ft (12 m) from the inside,
50 ft (15 m)*50 ft (15 m) from the outside, has one main entrance and two side
entrances. The side walls of the hall has decortive sculptures displaying women
and couples. It has a flat roof sloping in stages. There are thick pylons inside the
hall.
• The jagamohana (assembly hall) measures 35 ft (11 m)*30 ft (9.1 m) from the
inside, 55 ft (17 m)*50 ft (15 m) from the outside, entrances from south and north
and has a 30 metres (98 ft) tall roof. The hall has a pyramidal roof made of up
several horizontal layers arranged in sets of two with intervening platform as in
the Hall of offering. The facade to the entrances are decorated with perforated
windows with lion sitting on hind legs. The inverted bell above second unit is
adorned by kalasa and lions.

44. CHENNA KESHAVA
TEMPLE AT
SOMNATHPUR

45. ABOUT TEMPLE
• KESHAVA IS THE FAMOUS TEMPLE BUILT BY
ARCHITECT JAKANACHARI IN YEAR 1268 A.D.
• MATERIAL USED FOR THE TEMPLE IS SOAPSTONE.
• IT IS ALSO SYMMETRICAL IN ITS DESIGN, IT HAS 3
SHRINE, TRIPLE CELLED TEMPLE.
• THE TEMPLE HAS STAR SHAPED PLAN AND
STANDS ON BASEMENT WHICH IS BEAUTIFULLY
CARVED, WITH
a) ROWS OF ELEPHANT
b) MARCHING HORSES IN SECOND ROW
c) VALIS IN THIRD ROW
d) SWAN IN TOP ROW

46. FEATURES
• THE TEMPLE STANDS ON A JAGATI(PLATFORM) AND
THE THREE VIMANAS ARE LOCATED AT THE BACK
AND ARE CONNECTED BY A COMMON
RECTANGULAR CLOSED HALL.
• THE WIDE JAGATI INVITES DEVOTEES TO FOLLOW
THE RITUALISTIC CLOCKWISE CIRCUM-
AMBULATION BEFORE ENTERING THE HALL.
• THE HALL HAS 16 BAYS.
• ALL THE THREE SHRINES ARE 16 POINTED
STELLATE(STAR-SHAPED) IN DESIGN AND THEIR
TOWERS FOLLOW THE SAME PATTERN.
• THE CEILINGS ARE CARVED WITH INTRICATE
GEOMETRIC FIGURE.

48. DOMICAL CEILING IN THE
MANTAPA

49. IMAGE OF
THE HINDU
GOD
KRISHNA
PLAYING
FLUTE IN A
SCANTUM OF
THE KESHAV
TEMPLE.

50. MINOR SHRINE INSIDE THE
TEMPLE

51. CHENNA KESHAVA TEMPLE
AT BELUR

52. ABOUT TEMPLE
• THE CHENNA KESHAVA TEMPLE, ORIGINALLY
CALLED VIJAYANARAYANA TEMPLE.
• THE TEMPLE IS BUILT BY VISHNU VARDHAN.
• IT HAS A STAR SHAPED PLAN AND CONTAINS THE
GARBHA-GRIHA, A SUKHANASI AND A NAVARANGA
i.e CENTRAL PILLARED HALL.
• THE VIJAYA DEEP STAMBA OR VICTORY PILLAR IS
INSTALLED IN FRONT OF THE TEMPLE

53. ENTRANCE
• IT HAS THREE ENTRANCE ON EAST, SOUTH AND
NORTH.
• THE EASTERN ENTRANCE FACES THE
MAHADWARA.
• THE ENTRANCE IS CARVED MOST BEAUTIFULLY
BY CARVING ON ITS JAMBS THE FIGURE OF
MADAN(CUPID) AND RATI (HIS CONSERT).
• THE NORTHERN ENTRANCE DOORWAY CONTAINS
CARVED FIGURE OF FEMALE CHAURI(FLY- WHISKS)
BEARERS.

54. DECORATED
PILLARS IN
CHENNAKESH
AVA TEMPLE
AT BELUR

55. HOYSALA
EMBLEM