Hindu temples of the Medieval Period

Hindu temples of the Medieval Period
>> At the end of ninth century, and when the temple forms in stone were explored by the Gupta-s in their empire and by the Early Western Chjalukya-s in the Malaprabha River Valley
>> Two basic types of aedicular projections have appeared by the end of the phase of the formative period of the Hindu temple.

>> Three types of temple styles are witnessed by the end of the 6th century, namely,

• Dravida
• Nagara
• Vesara

Styles of the Hindu temple

>> Nagara or Northern Temples
• square sanctuary with curvilinear pyramidal tower
>> Dravida or Southern temples
• square sanctuary with the tower of horizontal tiers of miniature shrine crowned by octagonal domical component (shikhara)
>> Vesara or temples of the Deccan
• Square sanctuary with circular – elliptical crown like tower rising in receding tiers
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Hoysala Temples in the Deccan

Hoysala temples (12th - 13th centuries)

1) Chenna Kesava temple , Belur

2) Hoysaleswara temple, Halebid
3) Kesava temple, Somnathpur 1268 CE

Characteristic features of Hoysala temples
>> Temple stands on a low terrace
>> It is laid out in stellate plan – ashtabhadra plan also known as chaturasra plan

>> Elevation
• A high base of many sculptural bands
Rows of elephants, lions, horses, crocodiles(makara) mythical swans (hamsa-s), scrolling vegetal motif are separated at the eyelevel a broader band of about twelve to fifteen inches of a narrative relief of Ramayana.
• Wall with stone trellis windows of mandapa

or

• Scuptures of deities standing under rich vegetal canopy
• Pronouced heavily projecting cornice
>> bracket figures of female sculptures – madanakai
• Shikhara – short tower of essentially circular section
• crowning lotus petals executed in a highly ornate manner
• kalasa

>> Interior –
• navaranga mandapa
• lathe turned pillars

• Exquisitely finished
• One was is a revolving pillar
>> In the garbhagriha
• Image is in black stone

Aesthetic aspects of the Hoysala temples
>> Emphasis on horizontality
>> Elaborate scheme of elevation
>> Well finished pillars of the interior
>> Rich carving of the sculpture
• workmanship recalls that of sandal wood carvers

>> Material – stone
• dark green chloritic schist
• characteristic of the particular stone

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