What is Pahari architecture style?

Vernacular style of temple architecture prevalent in the Himalayan regions, particularly Himachal Pradesh, characterized by pagoda-like tiered roofs, intricate woodwork, and a blend of Hindu and local traditions.

Where is Pahari architecture style architecture found?

Pahari architecture style architecture is primarily found in Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab Hills. There are 16 heritage sites documented with this architectural style.

What materials are used in Pahari architecture style architecture?

Pahari architecture style architecture typically uses Wood, Stone, Slate, Local Stone. These materials are characteristic of this architectural style and reflect the construction techniques of the period.

Which heritage sites use Pahari architecture style architecture?

There are 16 heritage sites documented with Pahari architecture style architecture. 8 sites use this as their primary architectural style. You can explore these sites on the Inheritage Foundation website.

Pahari architecture style | Inheritage Foundation Art & Architecture Thesaurus | Inheritage Foundation

Q: When was Pahari architecture style architecture used?

Pahari architecture style architecture was used during 15th-19th 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, 8th century CE onwards, 16th Century CE, 17th Century CE, 18th Century CE, 19th Century CE, 20th 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. It is associated with the Rajput kingdoms of the Western Himalayas, Katoch dynasty, Chamba rulers, Kullu rulers, Kashmir Kings, Local Chieftains, Rajput kingdoms, Rajput Kingdoms, Dogra Dynasty, Local Rajput dynasties, Rajput dynasties, Local hill kingdoms, Sikh Empire dynasty/period.

Title	Pahari architecture style 4.5/5(Based on 16 heritage sites) Uncommon 4.5/5(Based on 16 heritage sites)
Description	Vernacular style of temple architecture prevalent in the Himalayan regions, particularly Himachal Pradesh, characterized by pagoda-like tiered roofs, intricate woodwork, and a blend of Hindu and local traditions.
Also Known As	Nagara architecture style Kalinga architecture style Indo-Mughal architecture style Nagara Architecture Kalinga Architecture influences (possibly through pilgrimage routes) Kashmiri Hindu Temple Architecture influences (due to proximity historical interactions) Pahari Architecture (local Himachal Pradesh vernacular) Traces of Dravidian Architecture (through pan-Indian temple building networks though less prominent) Possible Gandharan influences (remnants from ancient trade routes) Gupta period temple architecture influences Later Mughal architectural influences (decorative elements though subtly) Colonial architectural influences (minor possibly in later additions or renovations) Kath-khuni Vernacular Wood-stacked. Himalayan Vernacular Architecture Kath-Kuni Style (Wood Stone) Pahari Architecture Shikhara Style (Curvilinear Tower) Nagara Influences Hindu Temple Architecture Tantric Influences (in layout iconography) Nagara Style Hindu Temple Curvilinear Shikhara Shikhara Style Pratihara Architecture Gurjara-Pratihara influences Kalinga Architectural elements Latina Style Shikharas Western Himalayan Temple Architecture Nagara architecture Hindu temple Curvilinear towers ornate carvings North Indian Temple Architecture Kumaoni Architecture Elements of vernacular Himalayan architecture Traces of Colonial Era influences (minor) Use of local stone wood – reflecting regional practices Religious Nagara Shikhara Garhwali Vernacular Architecture Kalinga Architecture Influences Nagara Architecture elements Traces of Gupta Period Temple Architecture Kath-khuni Pagoda Timber-bonded Interlocking wood. Kath-Kuni Style Indigenous Wood Carving Traditions North Indian Vernacular Architecture Tantric Influences Pahari Wood slate local stone. Indo-Aryan Nagara. Towers porches columns. Dogra Architecture Mughal Influences (minor in later additions) Shikhara Nagara Curvilinear tower upward-pointing. Pratihara Style Kashmiri influences Sculptural influences from neighboring regions North Indian Hindu Temple Architecture Nagara style Shikhara Latina Style Rajput Architecture Mughal Influences Traditional Hindu Temple Architecture Pahari-Western Himalayan Vernacular stone wood interlocking. Western Himalayan Architecture Kath-khuni Style (Timber-bonded) Hindu Temple Architecture (Shikhara) Mughal Architecture (some later additions) Rajput Architecture (influence in decorative elements) Local Kullu Valley Vernacular Architecture Colonial Vernacular Residential Wood-stone hybrid sloped roofs. Mughal Architecture Colonial Architecture British Himalayan Architecture Kashmiri Wooden Architecture Mandi School of Architecture Pahari Vernacular Religious. Local materials sloping roofs. Vernacular Himalayan Architecture Traditional Timber Construction Natural Cave Shrine Natural Formation Formed by natural processes. Kashmiri Hindu Temple Architecture Ancient Indian Rock-Cut Architecture Gupta Period Influences Influence of Local Shrine Traditions Colonial Military. European adaptation for defense. Rajput Military Architecture Pahari Architecture (Shivalik Hills) Shilpa Shastras (Ancient Hindu Architectural Treatises) Vastu Shastra (Traditional Hindu System of Architecture) Timber Framing (Kath-khuni) Shikhara Style (modified) Stone Carving Traditions (North Indian) Jali Work (influenced by Mughal traditions)
Tags	Wooden temple Himalayan architecture Pagoda roof Vernacular style Pahari Himalayan Wooden architecture Regional style Western Himalayan architecture Temple architecture Wood carving Stone masonry Pahari region Vernacular Wood architecture Stone architecture Kath-Kuni Deodar Pagoda Vernacular architecture Slate roofing Himalayan Architecture Wood Carvings Sloping Roof Kangra Valley Pagoda style Regional adaptation Wooden temples Sloping roofs Pahari art Rajput Influence Wooden Architecture Wood Stone Timber construction Hill architecture Temple Shrine Shivalik Chajja Pahari Painting Kath-khuni Shikhara Timber framing Stone carving
Style ID	`INHF-STY-0921707418-16:35:40:01:04:23:PAS`
URI	https://www.inheritage.foundation/aat/styles/pahari-architecture-style
API Endpoint	`https://www.inheritage.foundation/api/v1/aat/pahari-architecture-style`
Total Sites	16
Primary Sites	8
Created	November 19, 2025
Last Updated	November 29, 2025

External References

View on Wikidata

Regions

Regions	Himachal Pradesh Uttarakhand Jammu and Kashmir Punjab Hills

Historical Context

Time Periods	15th-19th 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 8th century CE onwards 16th Century CE 17th Century CE 18th Century CE 19th Century CE 20th 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
Dynasties	Rajput kingdoms of the Western Himalayas Katoch dynasty Chamba rulers Kullu rulers Kashmir Kings Local Chieftains Rajput kingdoms Rajput Kingdoms Dogra Dynasty Local Rajput dynasties Rajput dynasties Local hill kingdoms Sikh Empire

Time Periods

15th-19th 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

8th century CE onwards

16th Century CE

17th Century CE

18th Century CE

19th Century CE

20th 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

Dynasties

Rajput kingdoms of the Western Himalayas

Katoch dynasty

Chamba rulers

Kullu rulers

Kashmir Kings

Local Chieftains

Rajput kingdoms

Rajput Kingdoms

Dogra Dynasty

Local Rajput dynasties

Rajput dynasties

Local hill kingdoms

Sikh Empire

Sacred Context

Sacred Contexts	Hindu temples Local shrines Buddhist monasteries Royal residences Hindu Temples Village Shrines Local Shrines Palaces Forts Residential Buildings Village shrines Hindu Temple Shrine Royal palaces
Associated Deities	Shiva Devi Local deities Durga Vishnu Local Deities Buddha Hanuman

Architectural Details

Primary Materials	Wood Stone Slate Local Stone
Architectural Features	Tiered roofs Wood carvings Pagoda-like structure Gable ends Multi-tiered roofs Wooden carvings Pagoda-like structures Pent-roofed structures Shikhara (often influenced by Nagara style) Deodar wood construction Sloping roofs Stone masonry Stone walls Verandas Stone foundations Pagoda-like roofs Pent roofs Sloping Roofs Wooden Carvings Stone Masonry Wooden Balconies Courtyards Jharokhas Kath-khuni construction Shikhara (modified) Jali work

Primary Materials

Wood

Stone

Slate

Local Stone

Architectural Features

Tiered roofs

Wood carvings

Pagoda-like structure

Gable ends

Multi-tiered roofs

Wooden carvings

Pagoda-like structures

Pent-roofed structures

Shikhara (often influenced by Nagara style)

Deodar wood construction

Sloping roofs

Stone masonry

Stone walls

Verandas

Stone foundations

Pagoda-like roofs

Pent roofs

Sloping Roofs

Wooden Carvings

Stone Masonry

Wooden Balconies

Courtyards

Jharokhas

Kath-khuni construction

Shikhara (modified)

Jali work

Keywords

Keywords	Wooden temple Himalayan architecture Pagoda roof Vernacular style Pahari Himalayan Wooden architecture Regional style Western Himalayan architecture Temple architecture Wood carving Stone masonry Pahari region Vernacular Wood architecture Stone architecture Kath-Kuni Deodar Pagoda Vernacular architecture Slate roofing Himalayan Architecture Wood Carvings Sloping Roof Kangra Valley Pagoda style Regional adaptation Wooden temples Sloping roofs Pahari art Rajput Influence Wooden Architecture Wood Stone Timber construction Hill architecture Temple Shrine Shivalik Chajja Pahari Painting Kath-khuni Shikhara Timber framing Stone carving

Wooden temple

Himalayan architecture

Pagoda roof

Vernacular style

Pahari

Himalayan

Wooden architecture

Regional style

Western Himalayan architecture

Temple architecture

Wood carving

Stone masonry

Pahari region

Vernacular

Wood architecture

Stone architecture

Kath-Kuni

Deodar

Pagoda

Vernacular architecture

Slate roofing

Himalayan Architecture

Wood Carvings

Sloping Roof

Kangra Valley

Pagoda style

Regional adaptation

Wooden temples

Sloping roofs

Pahari art

Rajput Influence

Wooden Architecture

Wood

Stone

Timber construction

Hill architecture

Temple

Shrine

Shivalik

Chajja

Pahari Painting

Kath-khuni

Shikhara

Timber framing

Stone carving

Recommended Sources

Title	Type	Notes
Art and Architecture of Himachal Pradesh	Book	Comprehensive overview of Pahari architecture.
Temples of Western Himalayas	Book	Detailed study of temple architecture in the Himalayan region.
Temples of the Western Himalaya	book	Explores the diverse temple architecture of the Pahari region.
Indian Temple Architecture: Form and Decoration	Book	General overview of temple architecture with mentions of regional variations.
Arts and Crafts of Northern India	book	Details on Pahari architectural elements.
Living Traditions of the Himalayas	article	Focus on vernacular architecture.
Himachal Pradesh District Gazetteers	Book	Provides historical context and local building practices.
Indian Architecture	Book	General overview of Indian architectural styles.
Arts and Architecture of the Western Himalayas	Book	Details the stylistic evolution and regional variations.
Arts and Crafts of Himachal Pradesh	Book
Himachal Architecture	Book	Overview of regional styles
Art and Architecture of the Western Himalayas	Book	Details on Pahari architectural traditions.

Heritage Sites (16)

Site Name	Status	Confidence
Chamunda Devi Temple Kangra	Primary	100%
Jakhoo Temple Shimla	Primary	100%
Jwala Ji Temple Kangra	Primary	100%
Lakshmi Narayan Temple Chamba	Primary	100%
Mata Mansa Devi Mandir Panchkula	Primary	100%
Sankat Mochan Temple Shimla	Primary	100%
Sujanpur Fort Hamirpur	Primary	100%
Suket Palace Sundernagar	Primary	100%
Baba Balak Nath Temple Hamirpur	Secondary	100%
Bhimakali Temple Sarahan	Secondary	100%
Chitai Golu Devta Temple Almora	Secondary	100%
Dhari Devi Temple Srinagar Uttarakhand	Secondary	100%
Hidimba Devi Temple Manali	Secondary	100%
Naggar Fort Kullu	Secondary	100%
Padam Palace Rampur	Secondary	100%
Shivkhori Cave Shrine Ransoo	Secondary	100%

How to Identify Pahari architecture style

Look for characteristic features: Tiered roofs, Wood carvings, Pagoda-like structure.
Verify geographic location: Pahari architecture style architecture is typically found in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand.
Examine construction materials: Pahari architecture style typically uses Wood and Stone.
Consider historical context: This style dates from 15th-19th century CE.
Compare with documented examples: 16 heritage sites use this architectural style.

Pahari architecture style

External References

Regions

Historical Context

Sacred Context

Architectural Details

Keywords

Recommended Sources

Heritage Sites (16)

See Also

Related Materials

Related Features

How to Identify Pahari architecture style

Frequently Asked Questions