Which of the following temples has/have a Nagara-style shikhara ? 1. Malegitti Shivalaya, Badami 2. Huchimalligudi Temple, Aihole 3. Dashavatara Temple, Deogarh 4. Virupaksha Temple, Pattadakal Select the answer using the code given below :
Contents14
- A1 and 2
- B2 and 3
- C3 only
- D3 and 4
Show answer
Answer: (B) 2 and 3
The correct answer is 2 and 3.
Key Points
- Statement 1 is incorrect. The Malegitti Shivalaya at Badami is a well-known example of early Chalukyan architecture, but it is built in the Dravida (Southern) style. Its tower is small, squat and heavy, and does not have the curving profile of the Northern style.
- Statement 2 is correct. The Huchimalligudi Temple at Aihole is one of the earliest experimental temples to use a Nagara-style shikhara. It has a curvilinear tower (shikhara) over the sanctum. This shows how North Indian features entered the Deccan under the Early Western Chalukyas.
- Statement 3 is correct. The Dashavatara Temple at Deogarh (Uttar Pradesh) is a classic Gupta period temple of the 6th century CE. It is widely seen as one of the first temples in India with a formal shikhara, making it a pioneering Nagara monument. It is also a prime example of the Panchayatan layout.
- Statement 4 is incorrect. The Virupaksha Temple at Pattadakal was built by Queen Lokamahadevi to mark Vikramaditya II's victory over the Pallavas. It was modelled on the Kailasanatha Temple at Kanchipuram and is a clear example of the Dravida style, with a tiered, pyramidal vimana.
Additional Information
- Nagara style:
- Developed mainly in Northern India. Its shikhara curves inward as it rises, and is topped by an Amalaka and a Kalasha.
- The plan is usually square with projections called rathas (Triratha, Pancharatha, etc.), which gives the temple a cross-like (cruciform) shape.
- Dravida style:
- Common in Southern India. Its tower, the Vimana, is stepped and pyramidal instead of curved.
- Typical features include the Gopuram (monumental gateway) and large temple tanks. These are usually absent in pure Nagara temples.
- Vesara style:
- A mixed form found in the Deccan, especially under the Chalukyas and Hoysalas. It blends Nagara and Dravida features.
The Nagara style uses curved shikharas that taper inward, while Dravida style uses stepped pyramidal vimanas - this distinction is fundamental to identifying Indian temple architecture.
Early Chalukyan temples in the Deccan experimented with both Northern (Nagara) and Southern (Dravida) styles, creating mixed examples that test students' ability to distinguish architectural features.
The question tests whether students can identify specific architectural elements rather than just memorizing temple names and locations.
Nagara Style Temple Architecture
Art And Culture Nagara-style shikhara shikhara Nagara
Nagara Style: North Indian Temple Architecture & Key Features
Nagara style developed in North India with curvilinear shikharas that curve inward as they rise
Shikhara is topped by Amalaka (circular stone disc) and Kalasha (pot-like finial)
Dashavatara Temple, Deogarh is classic Gupta period Nagara example from 6th century CE
Temple plan is square with projections called rathas creating cruciform shape
Core Definition
Nagara style is the North Indian temple architectural tradition characterized by its distinctive curvilinear shikhara (tower) that curves gracefully inward as it rises, unlike the stepped pyramidal towers of South Indian temples.
Key Architectural Elements
Element | Description | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
Shikhara | Curvilinear tower over sanctum | Main identifying feature of Nagara style |
Amalaka | Circular ribbed stone disc | Crowns the shikhara, represents cosmic wheel |
Kalasha | Pot-shaped finial | Tops the amalaka, symbolizes abundance |
Rathas | Projections on temple walls | Create cruciform plan (Triratha, Pancharatha) |
Mandapa | Pillared hall | Assembly space for devotees |
Question Context
This PYQ tests knowledge of which specific temples follow Nagara versus Dravida styles. Dashavatara Temple, Deogarh and Huchimalligudi Temple, Aihole have Nagara shikharas, while Badami and Pattadakal temples follow Dravida style despite being in the Deccan.
Geographic trap: Chalukyan temples in Deccan (Badami, Pattadakal) are mostly Dravida style, not Nagara despite being inland
Aihole exception: Huchimalligudi is one of few Chalukyan temples with Nagara shikhara - shows architectural experimentation
Pattadakal confusion: Virupaksha Temple was modeled on Kailasanatha Temple, Kanchipuram - both are Dravida style
Dravida Style Temple Architecture
Art And Culture Dravida style vimana
Dravida Style: South Indian Temple Architecture & Characteristics
Dravida style developed in South India with stepped pyramidal vimanas (towers)
Vimana has multiple tiers decreasing in size upward, creating pyramid effect
Malegitti Shivalaya and Virupaksha Temple are Dravida examples from this question
Features Gopurams (monumental gateways) and large temple tanks
Nagara vs Dravida Comparison
Feature | Nagara (North) | Dravida (South) |
|---|---|---|
Tower Shape | Curvilinear shikhara | Stepped pyramidal vimana |
Tower Profile | Curves inward gradually | Multiple horizontal tiers |
Top Elements | Amalaka + Kalasha | Stupi or Kalasha |
Gateway | Simple entrance | Elaborate Gopuram |
Water Features | Rare | Large temple tanks common |
Plan | Cruciform with rathas | Square or rectangular |
Chalukyan Architecture
Early Western Chalukyas (6th-8th centuries) built temples in both styles. Most Chalukyan temples at Badami and Pattadakal follow Dravida tradition, but Aihole shows experimentation with Nagara elements like the Huchimalligudi's curvilinear shikhara.
Don't assume geography = style: Deccan temples can be Dravida style even though they're not in Tamil Nadu/Karnataka coast
Virupaksha trap: Though at Pattadakal (Karnataka), it follows Kailasanatha model from Kanchipuram - both are Dravida
Badami confusion: Malegitti Shivalaya looks Northern due to location but has squat, heavy tower typical of early Dravida
Specific Temples from Question
Art And Culture Malegitti Shivalaya Huchimalligudi Temple Dashavatara Temple Virupaksha Temple Badami Aihole Deogarh Pattadakal
Four Temples Analyzed: Architectural Styles & Historical Context
Nagara temples: Huchimalligudi (Aihole) and Dashavatara (Deogarh) have curvilinear shikharas
Dravida temples: Malegitti Shivalaya (Badami) and Virupaksha (Pattadakal) have stepped towers
Dashavatara Temple represents Gupta period innovation with first formal shikhara
Temple Analysis
Temple | Location | Style | Period/Dynasty | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Malegitti Shivalaya | Badami | Dravida | Early Chalukyan | Squat, heavy tower; early Dravida experiment |
Huchimalligudi | Aihole | Nagara | Early Chalukyan | Curvilinear shikhara; North Indian influence in Deccan |
Dashavatara | Deogarh (UP) | Nagara | Gupta (6th century) | First formal shikhara; Panchayatan layout |
Virupaksha | Pattadakal | Dravida | Chalukyan | Modeled on Kailasanatha, Kanchipuram; built by Queen Lokamahadevi |
Temple Locations
Map of India showing locations of Badami, Aihole, Pattadakal in Karnataka and Deogarh in Uttar Pradesh with temple architectural styles marked
Geographic spread: Chalukyan sites cluster in Karnataka while Gupta Dashavatara stands alone in UP
Historical Significance
Aihole experimental phase: Chalukyas tested both Nagara and Dravida elements before standardizing
Panchayatan innovation: Dashavatara Temple pioneered layout with main shrine + 4 subsidiary shrines
Pallava influence: Virupaksha directly copies Pallava Kailasanatha model, showing inter-regional artistic exchange
Gupta foundation: Dashavatara represents transition from rock-cut to structural temple tradition
Aihole anomaly: Most Chalukyan temples are Dravida, but Huchimalligudi is Nagara - memorize this exception
Deogarh certainty: Dashavatara is textbook Nagara from Gupta period - always correct for Nagara questions
Pattadakal models: Virupaksha copies Kailasanatha Kanchipuram - both are Dravida despite different dynasties
Vesara Style Architecture
Art And Culture Vesara style
Vesara Style: Deccan's Hybrid Temple Architecture
Vesara is mixed architectural style blending Nagara and Dravida elements
Developed in Deccan region under Chalukyas and Hoysalas
Shows architectural experimentation and regional adaptation
Geographic Context
Vesara style emerged in the Deccan plateau as local dynasties encountered both North and South Indian architectural traditions. The Chalukyas and later Hoysalas created this hybrid approach, mixing curvilinear and stepped elements.
Three Architectural Styles
Style | Region | Tower Type | Key Dynasties | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Nagara | North India | Curvilinear shikhara | Gupta, Chandella | Dashavatara, Khajuraho |
Dravida | South India | Stepped vimana | Pallava, Chola | Kailasanatha, Brihadeshwara |
Vesara | Deccan | Mixed elements | Chalukya, Hoysala | Some Pattadakal, Belur-Halebidu |
Vesara confusion: Not all Deccan temples are Vesara - many Chalukyan temples are pure Dravida like Virupaksha
Regional overlap: Pattadakal has temples in all three styles, making it UNESCO World Heritage Site for architectural diversity