Shikhara: Ancient Indian Temple Architecture

The Shikhara is a distinctive architectural feature of ancient Indian temples, characterized by a tapering spire that rises from the roof of the temple.

This towering spire can reach heights of over 200 feet, making it a prominent feature of the temple's landscape.

The Shikhara is often decorated with intricate carvings and sculptures, adding to its grandeur and spiritual significance.

These carvings and sculptures often depict scenes from Hindu mythology and depict the gods and goddesses of the Hindu pantheon.

The early history of the Hindu shikhara is unclear, but the Buddhist Mahabodhi Temple at Bodh Gaya has a straight-sided shikhara tower over 55 meters high, with an amalaka near the top.

The current structure of the Mahabodhi Temple dates from the Gupta Empire, in the 5th–6th century CE, and its shikhara tower may have been acquired from an earlier structure, possibly dating back to the 2nd or 3rd century CE.

Ernest Havell traced the origin of shikhara to Ancient Mesopotamia, referencing the royal fortress palaces depicted in the stele of Naram-Sin.

A plaque from Kumrahar, dated 150-200 CE, shows the Mahabodhi Temple in its current shape, with a stepped truncated pyramid and a stupa finial on top.

The Latina form of the shikhara, characterized by an amalaka disk-stone at the top and a kalasha urn, was well-established in Odisha by at least 600 CE.

The forms with smaller subsidiary spires begin in the 10th century and tend to predominate, while the bhumija spire probably first appears around 1000-1025 CE.

The early forms of shikhara were influenced by the design of stepped stupas, which had developed in Gandhara and were characterized by an elongated structure formed of a succession of steps with niches containing Buddha images, alternating with Greco-Roman pillars.

The Shikhara style is a crucial aspect of Hindu temple architecture, and it comes in various forms. The three main styles are Nagara, Dravidian, and Vesara.

The Nagara style is more prevalent in northern India, where the Shikhara is a high curved shape. In the north-east, the local term deul or deula is more often used, both for towers and often the whole temple.

The Dravidian style is prevalent in southern India, where the equivalent of the Shikhara is the Vimana. The superstructure above the sanctum is typically more like a four-sided pyramid in overall shape, consisting of progressively smaller storeys of pavilions (talas).

The Vesara style is a synthesis of Nagara and Dravidian, seen in Karnataka and most commonly in Hoysala and later Chalukya temples. In the Vesara style, the tower moves towards a lower conical shape, with highly ornate carving.

The Bhumija style is a variant of the Nagara style, found in the Deccan region. It is characterized by four latas (spines), one in each cardinal direction, with rows of miniature caitya arches and grouping of miniature Shikharas (Sringa) of diminishing heights.

The Phamsana style is a type of Nagara Shikhara, typically found in Kashmir and Maharashtra. It features a square shrine with a pyramidal Shikhara consisting of plain, broad, flat square slabs placed one above the other, forming diminishing tiers.

Here is a summary of the different Shikhara styles:

In Southern India, the upper portion of a temple is called Vimana, a unique kind of Shikhara shaped like a pyramid.

The Dravida Shikhara style, found in South India, has a distinctive Vimana that requires effort to build due to its shape.

The Chola dynasty, which ruled over much of Southern India from the 9th to the 13th centuries AD, was prolific temple builders and many of their temples are considered masterpieces of South Indian architecture.

The Brihadeeswarar temple in Thanjavur, built by Rajaraja Chola I, is one of the largest and most impressive temples in India.

Rajaraja Chola's son, Rajendra Chola I, built an even larger temple in Gangaikonda Cholapuram.

The Pallava dynasty continued the practice of constructing temples, influenced by the Amaravathi School of Architecture.

The Dravidian temple has a significant gateway called Gopuram or Gopra, which is a wall with a large doorway surrounding it.

Gopuram is an undetectable part of the Dravidian temple, yet it holds great importance.

The Nagara shikhara is a distinctive feature of Hindu temple architecture, with a square or rectangular base and walls often decorated with pilasters to give a sense of strength and stability.

The Nagara shikhara's walls can be separated horizontally by moldings, and on top of the shikhara is a small circular stone disk called the "Amalaka", believed to represent the sun.

The Amalaka is often topped with a Kalash, a pot that represents the universe.

Here are some key features of the Nagara shikhara:

The repetition of towers in Hindu temples is not random, but rather follows specific rules and proportions to achieve geometrical coherence with the cosmos.

The Nagara and Versara Shikhara styles are two of the most iconic features of Hindu temple architecture. The Nagara Shikhara is characterized by its square or rectangular base.

The walls of the Nagara Shikhara are often decorated with pilasters, which gives a sense of strength and stability. This attention to detail is a testament to the skill and artistry of Indian builders and sculptors.

The Nagara Shikhara is typically topped with a small circular stone disk called the "Amalaka", which represents the sun. This element is often accompanied by a Kalash (pot) that represents the universe.

The Versara Shikhara, on the other hand, is known for its elaborate carving shape and unique pear-shaped design. This style is a result of the combination of cervical and pyramidical shapes.

The Versara Shikhara is made of durable stone, making it suitable for buildings intended for long-term use. This attention to durability is a hallmark of Hindu temple architecture.

Here are some of the key features of the Nagara and Versara Shikhara styles:

The Nagara style shikhara is a masterpiece of architectural design, and its symbolism is deeply rooted in Hindu tradition. The repetition of towers is not random, but rather follows specific rules and proportions to create harmony with the cosmos.

These distinctive fractal characters on the body of the shikhara above the sanctuary of the Kandariya Mahadev Temple are generated iteratively from a single central tower, known as unipratiti. This intricate design gives the temple a dynamic, vibrant visual quality that suggests an expansion outward.

The continuous blending of forms is preferred to abrupt discrete transitions, creating a sense of continuity and cohesion throughout the temple complex. This blending of forms is a hallmark of the Nagara style.

The bold curvilinear spire with ribbed "Amalaka" (Notched ring stone) – the fruit of Vishnu's blue lotus – that caps the tower and carries the Kalash, symbolizing the Jar of Nectar, distinguishes the Northern (Nagara) type. This symbol is a powerful representation of the temple's connection to the divine.

The fractal design of the Kandariya Mahadev temple, replicas of its intricate towers, and the rhythmic growth of its horizontal friezes combine to create a harmony of fractal characters throughout the entire complex. This harmony is a testament to the ingenuity and craftsmanship of the temple's builders.

The Nagara and Versara Shikhara styles are two distinct architectural forms that showcase the creativity and skill of Indian builders and sculptors. The Nagara shikhara is a square or rectangular base, often decorated with pilasters to give a sense of strength and stability.

The Versara Shikhara, on the other hand, features an elaborate carving shape and a unique pear-shaped design created by combining cervical and pyramidical shapes. This style is made of durable stone, making it suitable for long-term use.

In both styles, the top of the Shikhara is adorned with decorative elements, such as the Amalaka (a small circular stone disk representing the sun) or a decorative element made of stone, believed to represent the bindu or point of creation.

The Versara Shikhara is an impressive architectural wonder, and let's take a closer look at its key features. The elaborate carving shape of the Shikharas is a testament to the skill and creativity of the monument builders.

The unique pear-shaped design is created by combining cervical and pyramidical shapes, resulting in a distinctive and eye-catching structure. This design element is a key characteristic of the Versara Shikhara.

Made from durable stone, the Versara Shikhara is suitable for buildings intended for long-term use. The stone material ensures that the structure can withstand the test of time.

On top of the Shikhara, you'll often find a decorative element made of stone, which represents the bindu or point of creation.

In Hindu temple architecture, the Nagara shikhara is a distinctive feature that showcases the skill and artistry of Indian builders and sculptors. It's a testament to their craftsmanship.

The base of the Nagara shikhara is usually square or rectangular, providing a solid foundation for the structure. This design element is a key part of the shikhara's overall aesthetic.

Decorative pilasters are often used on the walls of the Nagara shikhara, giving the impression of strength and stability. This visual element adds depth and character to the design.

The stages of the Nagara shikhara where it is separated horizontally might be decorated with moldings, adding a touch of elegance to the structure. Moldings can also help to create a sense of continuity.

At the top of the Nagara shikhara, a small circular stone disk called the Amalaka is placed. This disk represents the sun and is an important symbolic element in Hindu architecture.

A Kalash, or pot, is typically located on top of the Amalaka, representing the universe. This design element adds a sense of completion to the Nagara shikhara's overall design.

The Dravid Shikhara is a unique and distinctive style of temple architecture found in southern India. It's characterized by a Stupi on top of the Shikhara, which is a key feature that distinguishes it from other styles.

The Dravid Shikhara is often found in conjunction with the Gopuram, a gateway surrounding the main temple. The Gopuram is a significant part of the Dravidian temple, and it's an undetectable part of the temple's overall design.

The Brihadeeshwar Temple at Thanjavur is an excellent example of a Dravid Shikhara, with a Shikhara that's 13 storeys high and a Stupi on top that's supposedly 80 tons in weight.

Bahudala Temples are a fascinating aspect of Indian temple architecture. The GondeshwarPanchayatan Temple complex in Sinnar, Maharashtra, built around the 11-12th Century C.E., is a prime example of Bahudala Temples.

One of the unique features of Bahudala Temples is the presence of multiple Shikharas, or towers, within a single complex. In the case of GondeshwarPanchayatan, there are four smaller temples with Shikharas of the Nagara Style.

The Gudha-Mandapa has a Phamsana Shikhara, while the Shikhara of the Garbha-griha is of the Bhumija style. This complex showcases three types of Nagara Style Shikharas, which is characteristic of Bahudala Temples.

These temples are often found in the Western part of India, particularly in Maharashtra, where the GondeshwarPanchayatan Temple complex is located.

The Dravid style of architecture is a unique and fascinating aspect of Indian temple design. It originated in southern India and is characterized by the use of a Stupi on top of the Shikhara.

The Dravid style is often found in temples built by the Chola dynasty, which ruled over much of southern India from the 9th to the 13th centuries AD. They were prolific temple builders, and many of their temples are considered masterpieces of South Indian architecture.

One of the most impressive examples of Dravid style architecture is the Brihadeeshwar Temple at Thanjavur, which has a Shikhara that is 13 storeys high and 64 metres tall. The Stupi on top of the Shikhara is intact and is supposedly 80 tons in weight.

The Dravid style is also characterized by the use of a Gopuram or Gopra, which is a gateway surrounded by the main temple but is an undetectable part of the Dravidian temple. It's a unique feature that adds to the style's charm and significance.

The Dravid style has had a lasting impact on Indian temple architecture, and its influence can still be seen in many temples today. Its unique blend of design elements has made it a beloved and iconic style in Indian architecture.