Daily Mains Question – GS 1 – 30th June 2025
- TPP
- Jun 30
- 3 min read
Welcome to your daily Mains Model Answer — tailored to integrate Indian art and architectural heritage with cultural and historical analysis, as required in GS Paper 1. Today’s answer explores the structural and decorative differences between the Nāgara and Drāviḍa temple traditions — two foundational schools of Indian temple architecture that embody the civilisational diversity of the subcontinent.
This topic aligns closely with GS Paper 1 under the theme “Indian Art and Culture”, specifically within the subdomains of temple architecture, regional styles, and religious aesthetics. Understanding the distinguishing features of these architectural traditions is essential not only for appreciating India’s cultural plurality but also for situating these forms within their broader socio-religious and historical contexts.
Click Here to read the Monthly Current Affairs Pointers (CAP).
QUESTION
Discuss the major structural and decorative differences between the Nāgara and Drāviḍa temple traditions.
Answer: Indian temple architecture reflects the regional diversity of the subcontinent and is broadly categorized into two principal styles: the Nāgara (North Indian) and Drāviḍa (South Indian) traditions. These architectural styles evolved in response to regional geography, climate, available materials, religious practices, and sociocultural contexts.
Besides these, Indian texts such as the Śilpaśāstras also mention the Vesara style — a hybrid of Nāgara and Drāviḍa — prominent in the Deccan region. However, this answer will focus on the key distinctions between the Nāgara and Drāviḍa traditions.
1. Structural Differences
Feature | Nāgara Style (North India) | Drāviḍa Style (South India) |
Superstructure | Curvilinear tower called Shikhara, vertical emphasis. | Pyramid-shaped Vimana, rising in horizontal tiers. |
Garbhagṛha Placement | Directly beneath the tallest Shikhara. | Centrally placed under the Vimana. |
Temple Plan | Generally square with projections; evolved into complex plans. | Typically square with concentric enclosures (prakāra walls). |
Entrance Gateway | Smaller gateways, often modest in scale. | Grand Gopurams, taller than the Vimana, marking cardinal entrances. |
Platform (Jagati) | Built on raised stone platforms, accessible via steps. | Compound walls with axial entrances; platform not always emphasized. |
Tower Types | Includes Latina, Phāmsanā, and Valabhī varieties. | Follows a stepped pyramidal form with kūṭa, śālā, and pañjara tiers. |
2. Decorative and Aesthetic Differences
Feature | Nāgara Style | Drāviḍa Style |
Aedicules | Use of miniature motifs like gavākṣa, āmalaka, etc. | Use of kūṭa, śālā, and nāsī-roofed aedicules. |
Shikhara Capstone | Topped by Āmalaka and Kalasha. | Crowned by a Stupika or octagonal cupola (śikhara element). |
Sculptural Ornamentation | Rich, deeply carved figures of deities, mithuna couples, etc. | More restrained but elegant relief sculptures on pillars and walls. |
Mandapa Decoration | Heavily sculpted mandapas with narrative panels. | Carved pillars, yaḷi figures, ceiling medallions, and devakoshtas. |
3. Regional Examples
Nāgara Examples:
Lakshmana Temple, Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh (10th century CE)
Sun Temple, Modhera, Gujarat (11th century CE)
Kandariya Mahadev Temple, Khajuraho
Drāviḍa Examples:
Brihadeeswara Temple, Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu (11th century CE)
Shore Temple, Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu (8th century CE)
Meenakshi Temple, Madurai
4. Construction Techniques and Materials
Nāgara temples primarily used sandstone and granite, laid without mortar in a corbelled technique.
Drāviḍa temples, especially from the 7th century onward, shifted from brick to granite. The monolithic tradition of the Pallavas (e.g., Pancha Rathas) represents a crucial development stage.
The Nāgara and Drāviḍa styles, though differing in form, share a common Indic ethos. They were not just places of worship but also socio-cultural hubs reflecting evolving religious practices, regional patronage, and community life. Their ornamentation and structural logic demonstrate the interplay of aesthetic excellence, technological advancement, and spiritual symbolism. Despite regional variations, both traditions are part of the larger continuum of Indian temple architecture that remains a cornerstone of India's artistic and architectural heritage.
Previous Daily UPSC Mains Question
Click for Daily Prelims MCQs
Click for NCERTs Pdfs
Click for Daily Quotes:
Stay updated with the latest news by joining our Telegram channel – The PRESS Pad , and follow us on Instagram and X.
Comments