MASH PODCAST: TIMELESS TEMPLES: EPISODE 12: FROM NAGARA AND DRAVIDA: THE VESARA TEMPLE ARCHITECTURE

In this episode, we will take a look at the Vesara temple’s architecture. The architectural style of the temple is not completely new but rather an interesting confluence, almost a consolidation of Nagara and Dravida styles.

The towers of Nagara temples in northern India are above the sacred innermost chamber. Independent in form, they dominate over any other structure throughout the temple; the only connection is through a vestibule to the rest of the temple. Typically this develops from the ardha mandapa joined by further chambers known as rangamandira, gudda mandapa and sabhamandap. Devotees circumambulate the garbha griha along a pradakshina patha which was later enclosed. The Nagara temple is situated on an elevated jagati and presents a more developed and complex version of the single-shrined Deogarh temple, for example, in the multi-shrined Kandariya Mahadeo temple, arranged in a panchayatana style with five shrines.

Tune in to listen and expand your knowledge about the histories behind the temples in India and their architectural wonders. Streaming now on Spotify and Apple Podcast. (Head to our website for more details) 
 
Image credits: Dinesh Kannambadi

Written by Urvi C; Hosted by: Hanima Nawaz; modified by Davangi Pathak and Final Revisions by Pranay Dewani.