Editing Architecture of India (section)

===Nagara architecture===
====Early====
Excluding earlier structures in timber-based architecture, hardly any remains of Nagara Hindu temples exist from before the [[Gupta dynasty]] in the 4th century CE. The [[Indian rock-cut architecture|rock-cut]] [[Udayagiri Caves]] are among the most important early sites.<ref>Harle (1994), 87–100; Michell (1988), 18</ref> The earliest preserved Hindu temples are simple cell-like stone temples, some rock-cut and others structural, as at [[Sanchi]].<ref name=meister254>{{cite journal |last=Meister |first=Michael W. |date=1988–1989 |title=Prāsāda as Palace: Kūṭina Origins of the Nāgara Temple |journal=Artibus Asiae |volume=49 |issue=3–4 |pages=254–256 |doi=10.2307/3250039 |jstor=3250039}}</ref> By the 6th or 7th century, these evolved into high [[shikhara]] stone superstructures. However, there is inscriptional evidence, such as the ancient Gangadhara inscription from around 424, that towering temples predated the 6th or 7th century, and they were made from more perishable material. These temples have not survived.<ref name=meister254/><ref name=meister370/>

[[File:KITLV 88210 - Unknown - Temples at Barakhar in British India - 1897.tif|thumb|The ninth century temple in [[Barakar]] shows a tall curving shikhara crowned by a large amalaka and is an example of the early Pala style. It is similar to contemporaneous temples of Odisha.]]
Early North Indian temples that have survived after the 5th century [[Udayagiri Caves]] in [[Madhya Pradesh]] include, [[Vishnu Temple, Deogarh|Deogarh]], [[Nachna Hindu temples|Parvati Temple, Nachna]] (465 CE),<ref name=meister370/> [[Lalitpur District, India|Lalitpur District]] (c. 525), [[Sirpur Group of Monuments#Hindu monuments|Lakshman Brick Temple, Sirpur]] (600–625 CE); [[Rajim#Rajiv Lochan Vishnu Mandir|Rajiv Lochan temple]], and [[Rajim]] (7th-century CE).<ref name=meister280>{{cite journal |last=Meister |first=Michael W. |date=1988–1989 |title=Prāsāda as Palace: Kūṭina Origins of the Nāgara Temple |journal=Artibus Asiae |volume=49 |issue=3–4 |pages=254–280 |doi=10.2307/3250039 |jstor=3250039}}</ref>

Pre-7th century CE South Indian style stone temples have not survived. However, early South Indian temples that have survived, though in ruins, include the diverse styles [[Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram|at Mahabalipuram]], from the 7th and 8th centuries. According to Meister, the Mahabalipuram temples are "monolithic models of a variety of formal structures all of which already can be said to typify a developed "Tamil Architecture" (South Indian) order". They suggest a tradition and a knowledge base existing in South India by the time of the early Chalukya and Pallava era when these were built. Other examples are found in [[Aihole]] and [[Pattadakal]].<ref name=meister280/><ref>Michael W. Meister and M.A. Dhaky (1983), ''South India: Encyclopaedia of Indian Temple Architecture'', Vol. I, Part I, Princeton University Press, {{ISBN|978-0691784021}}, pages 30–53</ref>

From between about the 7th and 13th centuries a large number of temples and their ruins have survived (though far fewer than once existed). Many regional styles developed, very often following political divisions, as large temples were typically built with royal patronage. In the north, [[Muslim conquests of the Indian subcontinent|Muslim invasions]] from the 11th century onwards reduced the building of temples, and saw the loss of many existing ones.<ref name=michellharle335/> The south also witnessed Hindu-Muslim conflict that affected the temples, but the region was relatively less affected than the north.<ref>{{harvnb|Michell|1995|pp=9–10}}: "The era under consideration opens with an unprecedented calamity for Southern India: the invasion of the region at the turn of the fourteenth century by Malik Kafur, general of Alauddin, Sultan of Delhi. Malik Kafur's forces brought to an abrupt end all of the indigenous ruling houses of Southern India, not one of which was able to withstand the assault or outlive the conquest. Virtually every city of importance in the Kannada, Telugu and Tamil zones succumbed to the raids of Malik Kafur; forts were destroyed, palaces dismantled and temple sanctuaries wrecked in the search for treasure. In order to consolidate the rapidly won gains of this pillage, Malik Kafur established himself in 1323 at Madurai (Madura) in the southernmost part of the Tamil zone, former capital of the Pandyas who were dislodged by the Delhi forces. Madurai thereupon became the capital of the Ma'bar (Malabar) province of the [[Delhi Sultanate|Delhi empire]]."</ref> In the late 14th century, the Hindu [[Vijayanagara Empire]] came to power and controlled much of South India. During this period, the distinctive very tall [[gopuram]] gatehouse actually a late development, from the 12th century or later, typically added to older large temples.<ref name=michellharle335>Michell (1988), 18, 50–54, 89, 149–155; Harle (1994), 335</ref>

The recently constructed Ram Mandir in Ayodhya is constructed as per the Nagara style.

====Later====
[[North Indian]] temples showed increased elevation of the wall and elaborate spire by the 10th century.<ref name="eb-niarch">Encyclopædia Britannica (2008), ''North Indian temple architecture''.</ref> On the shikara, the oldest form, called [[Latina (architecture)|''latina'']], with wide shallow projections running up the sides, developed alternative forms with many smaller "spirelets" (''[[urushringa]]''). Two varieties of these are called [[Sekhari (architecture)|''sekhari'']], where the sub-spires extend vertically, and ''[[bhumija]]'', where individual sub-spires are arrayed in rows and columns.
[[File:Plan of subsidiary shrines of Brahmeswara Temple.jpg|thumb|Drawing of a ''[[pancharatha]]'' (5 ''ratha'') plan of subsidiary shrines of Brahmeswara Temple]]
Richly decorated temples—including the [[Khajuraho Group of Monuments|complex at Khajuraho]]—were constructed in [[Central India]].<ref name=eb-niarch/> Examples include the [[Lingaraja Temple]] at [[Bhubaneshwar]] in [[Odisha]], [[Sun Temple]] at [[Konark]] in Odisha, [[Brihadeeswarar Temple]] at [[Thanjavur]] in [[Tamil Nadu]]. Indian traders brought Indian architecture to [[South East Asia]] through various [[trade routes]].<ref>Michell (1977), Chapter 8</ref>

Styles called ''[[vesara]]'' include the early [[Badami Chalukya Architecture]], [[Western Chalukya architecture]], and finally [[Hoysala architecture]]. Other regional styles include those of [[Bengal]], [[Kashmir]] and other Himalayan areas, [[Architecture of Karnataka|Karnataka]], [[Kalinga architecture]], and [[Māru-Gurjara architecture]].

[[Hoysala architecture]] is the distinctive building style developed under the rule of the [[Hoysala Empire]] in the region historically known as ''Karnata'', today's [[Karnataka]], India, between the 11th and the 14th centuries.<ref>[[MSN Encarta]] (2008), [http://au.encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761588346/Hoysala_Dynasty.html ''Hoysala_Dynasty'']. [https://archive.today/20240524174329/https://www.webcitation.org/5kwKcQ2xF?url=http://au.encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761588346/Hoysala_Dynasty.html Archived] 2009-10-31.</ref> Large and small temples built during this era remain as examples of the Hoysala architectural style, including the [[Chennakeshava Temple, Belur|Chennakesava Temple]] at [[Belur, Karnataka|Belur]], the [[Hoysaleswara temple]] at [[Halebidu]], and the [[Chennakesava Temple at Somanathapura|Kesava Temple]] at [[Somanathapura]]. Other examples of fine Hoysala craftmanship are the temples at [[Belavadi]], [[Amrithapura]], and [[Nuggehalli]]. Study of the Hoysala architectural style has revealed a negligible Indo-Aryan influence while the impact of Southern Indian style is more distinct.<ref name="distinct">See Percy Brown in Sūryanātha Kāmat's ''A concise history of Karnataka: from pre-historic times to the present'', p. 134.</ref> A feature of Hoysala temple architecture is its attention to detail and skilled craftsmanship. The temples of Belur and Halebidu are proposed [[UNESCO]] [[World Heritage Sites]].<ref name="heritage">{{Cite web|url=http://www.hindu.com/2004/07/25/stories/2004072501490300.htm|title=The Hindu : Karnataka / Hassan News : Belur to be proposed as World Heritage site|date=22 October 2004|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041022053319/http://www.hindu.com/2004/07/25/stories/2004072501490300.htm |accessdate=4 April 2023|archive-date=22 October 2004 }}</ref> Approximately 100 Hoysala temples survive today.<ref>Foekema, 16</ref>

==== Temples of Khajuraho  ====
{{Main|Khajuraho Group of Monuments#Arts and sculpture}}
[[File:India-5749 - Visvanatha Temple - Flickr - archer10 (Dennis).jpg|thumb|[[Vishvanatha Temple, Khajuraho|Vishvanatha Temple]], part of the [[Khajuraho Group of Monuments|Khajuraho group of monuments]]]]

The Khajuraho Temples are a group of Hindu and Jain temples located in the town of Khajuraho, in the [[Chhatarpur District]] of Madhya Pradesh, India. The temples were built between 950 and 1050 by the [[Chandela dynasty]].<ref name=":2b" />

Khajuraho is home to 25 sandstone temples in total, although only 20 remain mostly intact. The beautiful carvings on these temples, which show themes from Hindu mythology as well as other facets of everyday life in ancient India, are well-known.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Bajpai |first=K.D |title=Khajuraho temples: History and significance |publisher=Aryan Books International. |year=2012}}</ref>  Both Hindu and Jain architectural influences may be seen in their design. The temples are split into three groups: the Western group, the Eastern group, and the Southern group. The Western group has the greatest popularity and draws the most tourists.<ref name=":2b">{{Cite book |last=Desai |first=Devangana |title=Khajuraho: The Art of Love |publisher=Mapin Publishing Pvt. Ltd |year=2005 |isbn=978-1890206628}}</ref>

The Khajuraho Temples were declared a [[UNESCO World Heritage Site]] in 1986, and they continue to be a popular tourist attraction in India. According to UNESCO, the Khajuraho Temples "are a masterpiece of Indian art, with their unique architecture and stunning sculptures.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Centre |first=UNESCO World Heritage |title=Khajuraho Group of Monuments |url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/240/ |access-date=2023-02-26 |website=UNESCO World Heritage Centre |language=en |archive-date=29 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231029205311/https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/240 |url-status=live }}</ref>