TEMPLE ARCHITECTURE AND SCULPTURE - Vishnu Temple - Part 4 - Temple Payanam !

 * Sheshashayana Vishnu, Dashavatara temple, Deogarh *

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of India; however, the most common name for the simple

shikhara which is square at the base and whose walls

curve or slope inward to a point on top is called the 'latina'

or the rekha-prasada type of shikara.

The second major type of architectural form in the nagara

order is the phamsana. Phamsana buildings tend to be

broader and shorter than latina ones. Their roofs are

composed of several slabs that gently rise to a single point

over the centre of the building, unlike the latina ones which

look like sharply rising tall towers. Phamsana roofs do not

curve inward, instead they slope upwards on a straight

incline.

 In many North Indian temples you will notice that

the phamsana design is used for the mandapas while the

main garbhagriha is housed in a latina building. Later on,

the latina buildings grew complex, and instead of appearing

like a single tall tower, the temple began to support many

smaller towers, which were clustered together like rising

mountain-peaks with the tallest one being in the centre,

and this was the one which was always above the

garbhagriha.

The third main sub-type of the nagara building is what

is generally called the valabhi type. These are rectangular

buildings with a roof that rises into a vaulted chamber.

The edge of this vaulted chamber is rounded, like the

bamboo or wooden wagons that would have been drawn by

bullocks in ancient times. They are usually called ‘wagon-

vaulted buildings’. As mentioned above, the form of the

temple is influenced by ancient building forms that were

already in existence before the fifth century CE. The valabhi

type of building was one of them. For instance, if you study....

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