| Title | Kalinga Nagara architecture styleModerate |
|---|---|
| Description | A 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 |
| URI | https://www.inheritage.foundation/aat/styles/kalinga-nagara-architecture-style |
| API Endpoint | https://www.inheritage.foundation/api/v1/aat/kalinga-nagara-architecture-style |
| Total Sites | 25 |
| Primary Sites | 17 |
| Created | November 19, 2025 |
| Last Updated | November 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
| Title | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Temples of Orissa: The Study of a Sub-style | Book | Detailed analysis of Kalinga temple architecture. |
| The Art and Architecture of Orissa | Book | Comprehensive overview of Orissan art and architecture, including temples. |
| Debala Mitra, 'Bronzes from Achutrajpur' | Book | Comprehensive overview of Kalinga art and architecture. |
| Indian Temple Architecture: Form and Transformation | Book | Discusses regional variations of Nagara architecture, including Kalinga style. |
| The Temples of Orissa | Book | Details the architectural features and historical context of Orissan temples. |
| Debala Mitra, 'Bronzes from Achutrajpur, Orissa' | Book | Comprehensive study of Orissan art and architecture. |
| History of the Art in Orissa | Book | Comprehensive overview of Kalinga art and architecture. |
| Debala Mitra, 'Orissa' (Archaeological Survey of India) | book | Comprehensive overview of Orissan temple architecture. |
| The Art and Architecture of the Indian Subcontinent | Book | Provides context on regional variations of Nagara architecture. |
| Kalingastyle - Wikipedia | website | Overview of Kalinga architecture |
| Indian Temple Architecture: Form and Celebration | Book | |
| Debala Mitra, 'Bhubaneswar' | Book | Comprehensive overview of Bhubaneswar temples. |
| Orissan Architecture | Book | Detailed study of Kalinga temple architecture. |
Heritage Sites (25)
| Site Name | Status | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Baba Harihar Nath Temple Sonepur | Primary | 100% |
| Baidyanath Temple Deoghar | Primary | 100% |
| Basukinath Dham Deoghar | Primary | 100% |
| Battala Mahadev Temple Agartala | Primary | 100% |
| Chandrahasini Devi Temple Janjgir | Primary | 100% |
| Chhinnamasta Temple Ramgarh | Primary | 100% |
| Danteshwari Temple Dantewada | Primary | 100% |
| Dewri Temple Ranchi | Primary | 100% |
| Gundicha Temple Puri | Primary | 100% |
| Jagannath Temple Ranchi | Primary | 100% |
| Kirateshwar Mahadev Temple Legship | Primary | 100% |
| Maluti Temples Maluti | Primary | 100% |
| Naulakha Temple Deoghar | Primary | 100% |
| Pahari Mandir Ranchi | Primary | 100% |
| Rajarani Temple Bhubaneswar | Primary | 100% |
| Shree Ganesh Mandir Champhai | Primary | 100% |
| Shree Jagannatha Temple UAE | Primary | 100% |
| Dhosi Hill Temples Narnaul | Secondary | 100% |
| Gangotri Temple Uttarkashi | Secondary | 100% |
| Janjgir Vishnu Mandir Janjgir | Secondary | 100% |
| Laxman Temple Sirpur | Secondary | 100% |
| Neelkanth Mahadev Temple Pauri | Secondary | 100% |
| Surya Mandir Deo | Secondary | 100% |
| Wokha Shiv Mandir Wokha | Secondary | 100% |
| Yamunotri Temple Uttarkashi | Secondary | 100% |
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
- Look for characteristic features: Rekha Deul shikhara, Pidha Deul, Khakhara Deul.
- Verify geographic location: Kalinga Nagara architecture style architecture is typically found in Odisha and Andhra Pradesh.
- Examine construction materials: Kalinga Nagara architecture style typically uses Sandstone and Chlorite.
- Consider historical context: This style dates from 7th-13th century CE.
- Compare with documented examples: 25 heritage sites use this architectural style.