• UGI USER
  • Jan 22, 2024
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RAM TEMPLE ARCHITECTURE IN NAGARA STYLE

Focus:

  • Designed by Chandrakant Sompura and his son Ashish, the Ram temple in Ayodhya follows the Nagarastyle of architecture.
Source: IE

About Nagara Style of Architecture:

  • Nagarastyle emerged in the fifth century CE in Northern India, contrasting with the Dravida style of Southern India.
  • Nagar temples feature a raised plinth, with the garbhagriha as the most sacred part.
  • The towering shikhara, resembling a mountain peak, is a distinctive aspect of Nagar style.
  • Additional components include a circumambulatory passage around the garbhagriha and one or more mandapas (halls).

Five Modes of Nagar Style:

  • Nagar temple architecture exhibits five modes: Valabhi, Phamsana, Latina, Shekhari, and Bhumija.
  • Each mode represents variations in shikhara design based on period and geography.
  • The Latina mode, a slightly curved tower, dominated Nagar temple architecture for three centuries.
Comparison to Dravida Style

·    Contrary to the Dravida style’s vimana, Nagar temples feature shikharas as the towering structures.

·    Unlike Nagar temples, Dravida style incorporates gopurams, striking gatehouses that dominate the temple complex.

·    Unique to Ayodhya’s Ram temple is a 732-meter-long wall surrounding the compound, resembling a hybrid feature.