Vesara and Hoysala Style of Temple Architecture

In the previous posts, we have read the Nagara and Dravidian Style of Temple Architecture. In this post, we will study about the Vesara and Hoysala Style of Temple Architecture.

Vesara Style of Temple Architecture

The Vesara Style is a hybrid temple architecture. It has features of both the Nagara and Dravidian style of temple architecture. As we know that the Nagara Style is prevalent in North and Central India Dravidian Style is prevalent in South India. So as the hybrid that is the Vesara style of temple architecture is mainly found in Deccan and Central India region.

The Vesara Style emerged during the reign of Chalunkyan Rulers. Though the trend of the Vesara Style of temples started by the Chalukyan Rulers. But it flourished during the Rashtrakutas Period. Rashtrakutas were the feudatories of Chalukyas. So, after the decline of Chalukya Empire, they captured the throne.

Features of Vesara Style of Architecture

The main important feature of the Vesara Style is that they have Northern Indian Style (Nagara Style) of Shikhara and the Mandap was designed in Southern Indian Style (Dravidian Style). In the Vesara Style of temples Shikhara (top of the temple) and Mandap (main shrine) are joint by the Antarala. So, the temples do not have ambulatory passageways around Sanctum Sanctorum.

These temples do not have ambulatory passageways around Sanctum Sanctorum. The pillars, door frames, and ceilings of the temples are intricately carved.

Examples:

•  Dodda Bassapa Temple at Dambal.
•  Ladkhan Temple at Aihole.
• Temples at the Chalukyan Capital Badami etc.

Hoysala Style of Temple Architecture

The later Chalukyan Rulers and Hoysalas (11-14th Centuries) developed a more extraordinary style of temple architecture. These temples did not have a rectangular base. The ground plan of these temples was the Stellate plan. The plan raised on tall solid platforms of the same shape as the buildings.

Multiple shrines were there in the Hoysala style of Temples. So, the temples have intricately carved. So, the temples made up of soft soapstone, which was easy to be carved. Both the exterior and interior of the temple of Hoysala Style intricately carved especially the carved ornamentation of God is the splendid feature of Hoysala Style.

The temple was on the upraised platform of about a meter. This is Jagati. Jagati follows a star-shaped design and the walls of the temple have a zig-zag design. The largest and most famous temples of this style are Dwarasamudra and temple at Belur.

So, this was a brief description of the Vesara and Hoysala Style of temple architecture. Finally, this post completes the Temple architecture of Ancient India.

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