North Indian Temple architecture style | Inheritage Foundation Art & Architecture Thesaurus | Inheritage Foundation

Title	North Indian Temple architecture style
Description	A broad classification encompassing various temple styles prevalent in Northern India, typically featuring Nagara-style shikharas, mandapas, and intricate carvings, reflecting diverse regional and dynastic influences.
Tags	Hindu Temple Nagara Shikhara Mandapa Temple architecture North India Temple Garbhagriha Mandap Carvings Hindu Regional styles Hindu architecture Hindu temple
Style ID	`INHF-706767461-18-11-25-NI`
URI	https://www.inheritage.foundation/aat/style/north-indian-temple-architecture-style
API Endpoint	`https://inheritage.foundation/api/v1/aat/styles/north-indian-temple-architecture-style`
Total Sites	0
Primary Sites	0
Created	November 19, 2025
Last Updated	November 19, 2025

Regions

Regions	Northern India Central India North India East India Uttar Pradesh Madhya Pradesh Rajasthan Gujarat Haryana Punjab Himalayan Region Northeast India Himachal Pradesh Uttarakhand

Historical Context

Time Periods	5th-18th century CE 5th century CE 18th century CE 6th Century CE 7th Century CE 8th Century CE 9th Century CE 10th Century CE 11th Century CE 12th Century CE 13th Century CE 14th Century CE 15th Century CE 16th Century CE 17th Century CE 18th Century CE 19th Century CE 20th Century CE 8th century CE onwards 21st Century CE 6th century CE 7th century CE 8th century CE 9th century CE 10th century CE 11th century CE 12th century CE 13th century CE 6th century CE onwards Ancient Period Medieval Period Early Medieval Period
Dynasties	Various regional dynasties Various regional dynasties and kingdoms Gurjara-Pratihara dynasty Chandela dynasty Solanki dynasty Parmara dynasty Rajput kingdoms

Time Periods

5th-18th century CE

5th century CE

18th century CE

6th Century CE

7th Century CE

8th Century CE

9th Century CE

10th Century CE

11th Century CE

12th Century CE

13th Century CE

14th Century CE

15th Century CE

16th Century CE

17th Century CE

18th Century CE

19th Century CE

20th Century CE

8th century CE onwards

21st Century CE

6th century CE

7th century CE

8th century CE

9th century CE

10th century CE

11th century CE

12th century CE

13th century CE

6th century CE onwards

Ancient Period

Medieval Period

Early Medieval Period

Dynasties

Various regional dynasties

Various regional dynasties and kingdoms

Gurjara-Pratihara dynasty

Chandela dynasty

Solanki dynasty

Parmara dynasty

Rajput kingdoms

Sacred Context

Sacred Contexts	Hindu temples Hindu Temple Village shrines Royal temples Vaishnava temples Shaiva temples Shakta temples
Associated Deities	Shiva Vishnu Devi Surya Ganesha Local Deities Durga

Architectural Details

Primary Materials	Sandstone Granite Brick Stone Wood Marble
Architectural Features	Shikhara Mandapa Garbhagriha Pillars Sculptures Mandap Pradakshina Patha Shikhara variations Intricate carvings Sculptural ornamentation Pradakshina patha Adhisthana Amalaka Kalasha

Keywords

Keywords	Hindu Temple Nagara Shikhara Mandapa Temple architecture North India Temple Garbhagriha Mandap Carvings Hindu Regional styles Hindu architecture Hindu temple

Recommended Sources

Title	Type	Notes
Indian Temple Architecture: Form and Decoration	Book	General overview of North Indian temple architecture.
The Art and Architecture of the Indian Subcontinent	Book	Provides a broad context for North Indian temple styles.
History of Indian and Indonesian Art	Book	General overview of North Indian temple forms.
A History of Indian Architecture	book	General overview of North Indian temple forms.
George Michell, The Hindu Temple: An Introduction to Its Meaning and Forms	book
History of Indian and Eastern Architecture	book	General overview of North Indian temple styles.