Title

Kalinga Nagara architecture style

Moderate
4.5/5(Based on 25 heritage sites)
DescriptionA regional variant of Nagara architecture originating in ancient Kalinga (modern Odisha), characterized by distinctive curvilinear rekha deul shikharas and intricate sculptural ornamentation, often incorporating chlorite and sandstone.
Also Known As
Nagara architecture style
Post-Gupta architecture style
North Indian Temple architecture style
Nagara Architecture
Kalinga Architecture
Gupta Period Temple Architecture
Post-Gupta Temple Architecture
Late Medieval Hindu Temple Architecture
North Indian Temple Architecture
Eastern Indian Temple Architecture
Late Gupta Period architecture style
Classical Hindu Temple architecture style
Classical Hindu Temple Architecture
Medieval Hindu Temple Architecture
Eastern Indian Temple Style
Late Gupta Period Temple Architecture
Sultanate Period Influences (minor
possibly in later additions
renovations)
Local Tribal Architectural Influences (minor
possibly integrated into decorative elements)
Hindu Temple
Curvilinear towers
stepped pyramids
Eastern Ganga Temple Style
Late Medieval Hindu Temple Style
Vernacular Jharkhand Architecture
Mughal Influences (minor
potentially in later additions)
Nagara Style
Curvilinear tower
tiered roof
Typical Bengali Temple Style
Koch Architecture
Ahom influences
Orissan Temple Architecture
Traditional Hindu Temple Architecture
Sandstone
North Indian Style
Central Indian Temple Style
Kalachuri Style
Somvanshi Style
Chandela Influences
Gurjara-Pratihara Influences
Nagara
Kalinga hybrid
curvilinear towers
ornate carvings.
Dravida Architecture
Vesara Architecture
Central Indian Temple Architecture
Eastern Ganga Temple Architecture
Sultanate Period Influences
sanctum.
Chalukyan Architecture
South Indian Temple Influences
Tribal Architectural Influences of Bastar
Gupta Period Influences
Curvilinear Shikhara
Hindu Temple Architecture
North Indian Temple Style
Traditional Jharkhand Tribal Architecture
Vernacular Architecture of Chotanagpur
intricate carvings
Kalinga Architecture (influence seen in the intricate carvings)
Latina Style (curvilinear towers)
Rajasthani Temple Architecture (influence in decorative elements)
Gurjara-Pratihara Style (possible influence given the region's history)
Northern Indian
Tall curving towers
Kalinga Architecture influences (possibly due to trade
pilgrimage routes)
Elements of North Indian vernacular architecture (use of local materials like granite
wood)
Possible faint traces of early Dravidian architecture (given the pan-Indian spread of temple building traditions
though less pronounced than Nagara)
Hill architecture adaptations (sloping roofs
use of stone platforms for stability)
Influence of local Garhwali architecture
craftsmanship (decorative motifs
wood carvings)
Slight Pala influence (given its historical presence in nearby regions
though again
less prominent)
Possible traces of Gupta period temple architecture (as a foundational style for later North Indian temples)
Temple
Pyramidal roof
Dravidian Architecture
Pancharatha Style
Pidha Deul
Rekha Deul
Jagamohana
Curvilinear tower.
Typical Hindu Temple Architecture
Ekamukhi Shikhara
Phamsana Shikhara Style
Later Mughal Influences (minor
potentially in decorative elements)
Traditional Odishan Temple Architecture
Gurjara-Pratihara influences
Later Somavamsi Style
Possible Kalachuri influences
tiered roof.
Gurjara-Pratihara Style
Kashmiri Hindu Temple Architecture
Elements of Tibetan Architecture
Buddhist architectural influences (Chorten-like structures)
elaborate carvings
Saivite Temple Architecture
Brick Temple Architecture
Early Chalukya influences
religious
curvilinear towers.
Saptamatrika Worship Traditions (influencing sculptural elements)
ornate carvings
Latina Style Shikharas
Phamsana Style Roof
Traditional Jharkhand Temple Architecture
Kalinga Architecture (influence seen in the curvilinear shikhara)
Gurjara-Pratihara Style (possible influence in the sculptural elements)
Paramara Style (subtle influences potentially visible
given the photographer's background)
Central Indian Temple Architecture (some stylistic overlaps with the photographer's region of expertise)
Himalayan Architecture (adaptation to the mountainous terrain)
Beehive Shikhara
Eclecticism
British Colonial Influences (minor)
Traditional Jharkhand Tribal Architectural Motifs
Kalinga Nagara Religious Curvilinear towers
Nagara Architecture (embryonic)
Somnath Temple influences
Lingaraja Temple influences
Mukteswara Temple influences
Parsurameswar Temple influences
Brahmeswara Temple influences
Dravidian
Gopuram
Vimana. (Incorrect
this is a later addition
not a UNESCO site
not Dravidian).
Kalinga Architecture influences
Traditional Mizo Architecture
Indigenous Tribal Architecture
Elements of Buddhist Stupa Design
Vernacular Architecture of Northeast India
Hindu Temple Architecture of Bengal
Rekha Deula Inspired Temple with Modern Envelope
Rekha Deula Adaptation
Rath Yatra Infrastructure
Diaspora Cultural Hub
porch
sanctum
Kalinga Architecture (influence from Odisha)
Mithila Architecture (regional influence from Bihar)
Possible Pala Dynasty influences
Unknown
Religious
Hemadpanthi Style
Kalinga Architecture Influences
Chalukyan Architectural Elements
Dravidian Influences
Traditional Naga Architectural Elements
Nagara architecture
Hindu temple
North Indian curvilinear tower.
Himalayan Architecture
Kalinga Architecture influences (possible due to historical interactions)
Traces of early vernacular architecture of the region
Influence of local stone carving traditions
Elements of Sikhara style (curvilinear tower)
Tags
Deul
Jagamohana
Kalinga
Odisha
Hindu Temple
Nagara
Rekha
Pidha
Khakhara
Temple
Eastern Ganga
Deula
Shikhara
Gandi
Raha
Anuratha
Konika
Kalingan
Odisha temple
Rekha spire
Pidha assembly
Temple architecture
Rekha Deula
Odisha Architecture
Jagamohan
Ratha
Pida
Odisha Temple
Eastern Indian Temple
Pancharatha
Curvilinear Shikhara
Jagmohan
East Indian architecture
East India
Temple Architecture
Vaishnava
Rekha Deul
Pidha Deul
Style ID
INHF-STY-5460479254-05:02:39:07:07:18:KNAS
URIhttps://www.inheritage.foundation/aat/styles/kalinga-nagara-architecture-style
API Endpoint
https://www.inheritage.foundation/api/v1/aat/kalinga-nagara-architecture-style
Total Sites25
Primary Sites17
CreatedNovember 19, 2025
Last UpdatedNovember 29, 2025

External References

Regions

Regions
Odisha
Andhra Pradesh
Chhattisgarh
Jharkhand
West Bengal
Tripura
Haryana (influence)
Sikkim
Eastern India
Bihar
Nagaland

Historical Context

Time Periods
7th-13th century CE
Eastern Ganga Dynasty
7th century CE to 13th century CE
7th century CE
13th century CE
Later periods
7th to 13th century CE
7th Century CE
13th Century CE
Contemporary
Dynasties
Somavamshi dynasty
Eastern Ganga Dynasty
Eastern Ganga dynasty
Sailodbhava dynasty
Various regional dynasties
Ganga dynasty
Somavamshi
Eastern Ganga

Sacred Context

Sacred Contexts
Hindu temples
Shaiva temples
Vaishnava temples
Shakta temples
Shaiva
Vaishnava
Shakta shrines
Hindu temple
Saivite temples
Surya temples
Shakta
Associated Deities
Shiva
Vishnu
Durga
Surya
Jagannath
Parvati
Jagannatha
Shakti

Architectural Details

Primary Materials
Sandstone
Chlorite
Laterite
Brick
Stone
Concrete
Architectural Features
Rekha Deul shikhara
Pidha Deul
Khakhara Deul
Jagamohana
Amalaka
Kalasha
Rekha Deul (curvilinear spire)
Pidha Deul (stepped pyramid)
Khakhara Deul (oblong shrine)
Jagamohana (assembly hall)
Deul (sanctum)
Rekha Deula
Pidha Deula
Khakhara Deula
Curvilinear Shikhara
Jagati
Mandapa
Rekha Deul
Jagmohan
Gandi
Curvilinear Shikharas
Natamandira
Bhoga Mandapa
Ornate carvings
Amlaka
Ratha projections
Curvilinear shikhara
Bhogamandapa
Rekha Deula Shikhara
Intricate carvings
Deul
Jagamohan
Pancharatha plan
Ekamukhi Shikhara
Phamsana Shikhara
Curvilinear tower
Rekha deul
Pidha deul
Khakhara deul
Jagmohan (assembly hall)
Deul (sanctuary)
Curvilinear towers
Jagamohan (assembly hall)
Natamandira (dance hall)
Bhoga Mandapa (offering hall)
Rekha Deula (curvilinear spire)
Pidha Deula (pyramidal roof)
Khakhara Deula (oblong shrine)
Pitha
Pida Deul
Deul (temple)

Keywords

Keywords
Deul
Jagamohana
Kalinga
Odisha
Hindu Temple
Nagara
Rekha
Pidha
Khakhara
Temple
Eastern Ganga
Deula
Shikhara
Gandi
Raha
Anuratha
Konika
Kalingan
Odisha temple
Rekha spire
Pidha assembly
Temple architecture
Rekha Deula
Odisha Architecture
Jagamohan
Ratha
Pida
Odisha Temple
Eastern Indian Temple
Pancharatha
Curvilinear Shikhara
Jagmohan
East Indian architecture
East India
Temple Architecture
Vaishnava
Rekha Deul
Pidha Deul

Recommended Sources

TitleTypeNotes
Temples of Orissa: The Study of a Sub-styleBookDetailed analysis of Kalinga temple architecture.
The Art and Architecture of OrissaBookComprehensive overview of Orissan art and architecture, including temples.
Debala Mitra, 'Bronzes from Achutrajpur'BookComprehensive overview of Kalinga art and architecture.
Indian Temple Architecture: Form and TransformationBookDiscusses regional variations of Nagara architecture, including Kalinga style.
The Temples of OrissaBookDetails the architectural features and historical context of Orissan temples.
Debala Mitra, 'Bronzes from Achutrajpur, Orissa'BookComprehensive study of Orissan art and architecture.
History of the Art in OrissaBookComprehensive overview of Kalinga art and architecture.
Debala Mitra, 'Orissa' (Archaeological Survey of India)bookComprehensive overview of Orissan temple architecture.
The Art and Architecture of the Indian SubcontinentBookProvides context on regional variations of Nagara architecture.
Kalingastyle - WikipediawebsiteOverview of Kalinga architecture
Indian Temple Architecture: Form and CelebrationBook
Debala Mitra, 'Bhubaneswar'BookComprehensive overview of Bhubaneswar temples.
Orissan ArchitectureBookDetailed study of Kalinga temple architecture.

Heritage Sites (25)

See Also

Related Materials

Sandstone
Chlorite
Laterite
Brick
Stone
Concrete

Related Features

Rekha Deul shikhara
Pidha Deul
Khakhara Deul
Jagamohana
Amalaka
Kalasha
Rekha Deul (curvilinear spire)
Pidha Deul (stepped pyramid)
Khakhara Deul (oblong shrine)
Jagamohana (assembly hall)
Deul (sanctum)
Rekha Deula
Pidha Deula
Khakhara Deula
Curvilinear Shikhara
Jagati
Mandapa
Rekha Deul
Jagmohan
Gandi
Curvilinear Shikharas
Natamandira
Bhoga Mandapa
Ornate carvings
Amlaka
Ratha projections
Curvilinear shikhara
Bhogamandapa
Rekha Deula Shikhara
Intricate carvings
Deul
Jagamohan
Pancharatha plan
Ekamukhi Shikhara
Phamsana Shikhara
Curvilinear tower
Rekha deul
Pidha deul
Khakhara deul
Jagmohan (assembly hall)
Deul (sanctuary)
Curvilinear towers
Jagamohan (assembly hall)
Natamandira (dance hall)
Bhoga Mandapa (offering hall)
Rekha Deula (curvilinear spire)
Pidha Deula (pyramidal roof)
Khakhara Deula (oblong shrine)
Pitha
Pida Deul
Deul (temple)

How to Identify Kalinga Nagara architecture style

  1. Look for characteristic features: Rekha Deul shikhara, Pidha Deul, Khakhara Deul.
  2. Verify geographic location: Kalinga Nagara architecture style architecture is typically found in Odisha and Andhra Pradesh.
  3. Examine construction materials: Kalinga Nagara architecture style typically uses Sandstone and Chlorite.
  4. Consider historical context: This style dates from 7th-13th century CE.
  5. Compare with documented examples: 25 heritage sites use this architectural style.

Frequently Asked Questions