Question

Consider the following statements with reference to Temple Architecture in India:

1. Two broad orders of temples in the country are known— Nagara in the north and Dravida in the south.

2. The second major type of architectural form in the Dravida order is the phamsana.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

Answer 1

Correct Answer - Option 1 : 1 only

The correct answer is 1 only.

• By evolving the Nagara and the Dravida styles, the Gupta art ushers in a formative and creative age in the history of Indian architecture with considerable scope for future development.
• Two broad orders of temples in the country are known— Nagara in the north and Dravida in the south. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
• At times, the Vesar style of temples as an independent style created through the selective mixing of the Nagara and Dravida orders is mentioned by some scholars.
• Nagara Style
  • The style of temple architecture that became popular in northern India is known as nagara.
  • In North India, it is common for an entire temple to be built on a stone platform with steps leading up to it.
  • Further, unlike in South India, it does not usually have elaborate boundary walls or gateways.
  • While the earliest temples had just one tower or shikhara, later temples had several.
  • The garbhagriha is always located directly under the tallest tower.
  • There are many subdivisions of nagara temples depending on the shape of the shikhara.
  • There are different names for the various parts of the temple in different parts of India; however, the most common name for the simple shikhara which is square at the base and whose walls curve or slope inward to a point on top is called the 'latina' or the rekha-prasada type of shikara.
  • The second major type of architectural form in the nagara order is the phamsana. Phamsana buildings tend to be broader and shorter than latina ones. Hence, statement 2 is NOT correct.
  • The third main sub-type of the nagara building is what is generally called the valabhi type.
• Dravida Style​
  • Unlike the nagara temple, the dravida temple is enclosed within a compound wall.
  • The front wall has an entrance gateway in its centre, which is known as a gopuram.
  • The shape of the main temple tower known as vimana in Tamil Nadu is like a stepped pyramid that rises up geometrically rather than the curving shikhara of North India.
  • Whereas at the entrance to the North Indian temple’s garbhagriha, it would be usual to find images such as mithunas and the river goddesses, Ganga and Yamuna, in the south you will generally find sculptures of fierce dvarapalas or the door-keepers guarding the temple.
  • It is common to find large water reservoir enclosed within the complex.