Question

Differentiate between the Nagara and Dravida schools of temple architecture. Also, explain the origin of vesara temples.

Answer 1

Approach:

• Give a brief background of temple architecture before starting with the difference.
• Give the difference between Nagara and Dravida schools of temple architecture.
• In short explain vesara temples. Try to mention one or two examples of each.

Most of the art and architectural remains that survive from Ancient, Medieval and Modern India are religious in nature. The distinct architectural style of construction in different parts was a result of geographical, climatic, ethnic, racial, historical and linguistic diversities.

Basis	Dravida style of architecture	Nagara style of architecture
Location	According to the Silpasastras, those temples which are situated between the Krishna River and Kanyakumari are Dravida style	According to the Silpasastras, north Indian temples are Nagara style.
Central Tower	It has pyramidical shaped central tower (called Vimana in Dravida style). In this style, there is only one single Shikhara or Vimana	It is characterized by a beehive shaped curvilinear tower (called a Shikhara, in northern terminology) made up of layer upon layer of architectural elements and a cruciform ground plan. In this style, there is a multiple Shikharas.
Gopuram	Gopuram is the most prominent. It is stylized and big in size	In Nagara style, the Shikhara remains the most prominent element of the temple and the gateway is usually modest or even absent.
Boundary	In this style, temples have elaborated boundary	In this style, boundary has less emphasised.
Entrance	In this style, Dwarpalas are there on the entrance.	In this style, Ganga and Yamuna rivers are depicted in personified form at the entrance of Garbhagriha or sanctum sanctorum.
Entrance	In this style, Dwarpalas are there on the entrance	In this style, Ganga and Yamuna rivers are depicted in personified form at the entrance of Garbhagriha or sanctum sanctorum.
Tower	In this style, there is always a single tower	In this style, there are multiple towers.For example- Khajuraho temple
Pedestal	In this style, temples have deities outside	In this style, temples have deities inside
Purpose	Temples in South have not only been religious centres, but were also used for administrative activities, controlling vast areas of land and were also centres of education	Most of the temples in Nagara style had only religious purpose
Example	Shore Temple at Mahabalipuram,Brihadeswara Temple at Tanjore etc.	Temples built in the Deccan under the later Chalukyas of Kalyani and Hoysalas are considered examples of this style.Lingaraja Temple at Bhubaneshwar,Jagannath Temple at Puri.

The Vesara Style originated and became popular after the mid 7th century. It contains both elements from nagara and Dravida architectural styles and is known in some ancient texts as the Vesara style (not all temples of Deccan are the vesara type). The buildings in the Deccan region are hybridized style (Vesara style) and is also known as Deccan Temple Architecture.

The iconography is consists of identification of images based on certain symbols and mythologies associated with them. Every region and period produced its own distinct style of images with its regional variations in iconography. The temple is covered with elaborate sculpture and ornament that form a fundamental part of its conception.