Question
Which of the following temples has/have a Nagara-style shikhara?
1. Malegitti Shivalaya, Badami 2. Huchimalligudi Temple, Aihole
3. Dashavatara Temple, Deogarh 4. Virupaksha Temple, Pattadakal
1. Malegitti Shivalaya, Badami 2. Huchimalligudi Temple, Aihole
3. Dashavatara Temple, Deogarh 4. Virupaksha Temple, Pattadakal
A1 and 2
B2 and 3
C3 only
D3 and 4
⚠️ Important — Scholarly Controversy on This Question
The official UPSC answer is (C) 3 only. However, Huchimalligudi Temple, Aihole is described as having a rekha-nagara (North Indian curvilinear) shikhara in multiple credible sources including ASI field reports, a dedicated heritage blog quoting on-site inspection, and UNESCO’s tentative list document for the Aihole-Badami-Pattadakal complex. UPSC appears to have treated it as Dravida/transitional. For exam purposes: go with (C) 3 only. For deep understanding: Huchimalligudi is a unique early Chalukyan temple experimenting with a Nagara-style tower in a Deccan context.
What is Nagara Style? — Simple Explanation
The Shikhara (Tower) is the Key
Nagara style is identified by its curvilinear (curved) tower called the shikhara. Think of it as a mountain peak — it rises upward and curves inward like a parabola. This is called a rekha-prasada or latina shikhara.
Where is it found?
Nagara is the North Indian style — found between the Himalayas and the Vindhyas. It emerged from the 5th–6th century CE (Gupta period) and became the dominant temple style in North India.
What Nagara does NOT have
No elaborate gopurams (gateway towers). No large enclosure walls. No water tank as mandatory feature. The temple sits on a raised stone platform (jagati) with steps on all four sides.
Nagara vs Dravida — The Core Difference
Nagara: Curvilinear shikhara — rises and curves like a mountain peak
Dravida: Pyramidal vimana — rises in horizontal tiers/storeys
Vesara: Hybrid — mix of both, common in Deccan (Chalukyas, Hoysalas)
Dravida: Pyramidal vimana — rises in horizontal tiers/storeys
Vesara: Hybrid — mix of both, common in Deccan (Chalukyas, Hoysalas)
Each Temple — Detailed Analysis
Temple 1
Malegitti Shivalaya
📍 Badami, Karnataka
❌ Dravida Style
Built by Early Chalukyas, late 7th century CE.
Its shikhara is octagonal with kutas and shalas —
classic Dravidian elements. UNESCO and ASI both confirm:
“Malegitti Shivalaya is roofed with Dravidian shikhara.”
Not Nagara.
Temple 2
Huchimalligudi Temple
📍 Aihole, Karnataka
⚠️ Disputed — See Note
UPSC says: Dravida/transitional — not Nagara.
Scholars say: Has a rekha-nagara (North Indian curvilinear) shikhara. ASI-linked sources: “The sanctum has a northern style rekhanagara tower.” Also: first temple to introduce the shukanasa (vestibule projection).
For exam: treat as NOT Nagara.
Scholars say: Has a rekha-nagara (North Indian curvilinear) shikhara. ASI-linked sources: “The sanctum has a northern style rekhanagara tower.” Also: first temple to introduce the shukanasa (vestibule projection).
For exam: treat as NOT Nagara.
Temple 3 ✓
Dashavatara Temple
📍 Deogarh, Uttar Pradesh
✓ Nagara Style — Confirmed
Gupta period, ~500 CE — one of India’s earliest
surviving structural temples. Panchayatana layout
with 4 subsidiary shrines. Its shikhara is the classic
early Nagara curvilinear rekha type. Dedicated to Vishnu
— features 10 avatars (Dashavatara) in relief panels.
Wikipedia confirms: “Style: Nagara.”
Temple 4
Virupaksha Temple
📍 Pattadakal, Karnataka
❌ Dravida / Vesara Style
Built ~740 CE by Queen Lokamahadevi (Chalukya)
to commemorate victory over Pallavas. Its tower is a
pyramidal Dravida vimana — built by architects
from Kanchipuram (Pallava territory). It is a
UNESCO World Heritage Site. Textbooks cite it
as the finest example of Vesara/Dravida in Deccan.
Not Nagara.
All Four Temples — Side-by-Side Comparison
| Temple | Location | Period / Dynasty | Shikhara Type | Nagara? |
| Malegitti Shivalaya | Badami, Karnataka | 7th c. CE · Early Chalukya | Octagonal Dravida vimana (kutas & shalas) | ❌ No |
| Huchimalligudi | Aihole, Karnataka | 7th–8th c. CE · Early Chalukya | Disputed — UPSC: transitional; Scholars: rekha-nagara | ⚠️ Disputed |
| Dashavatara Temple | Deogarh, Uttar Pradesh | ~500 CE · Gupta period | Curvilinear Nagara rekha-prasada shikhara | ✓ Yes |
| Virupaksha Temple | Pattadakal, Karnataka | ~740 CE · Chalukya (Vijayaditya II) | Pyramidal Dravida vimana — built by Pallava architects | ❌ No |
UPSC Prelims — Previous Questions on Temple Architecture
UPSC Prelims 2012
“The Nagara, the Dravida and the Vesara are the ___?” Options included racial groups, linguistic divisions, styles of temple architecture, and musical styles.
Answer: Three styles of temple architecture
UPSC Prelims 2013
Architecture questions on Gupta era temples, Nagara and Dravida style differences, rock-cut temples. Shikhara features tested as part of temple components identification.
Answer: Style-based questions on famous dynasty temples
UPSC Prelims 2019
“Building ‘Kalyaana Mandapas’ was a notable feature in temple construction in the kingdom of ___?” Testing dynasty-specific temple features.
Answer: Vijayanagara kingdom
UPSC Prelims 2021
“The design of the Buddhist temple at Nalanda is strictly inspired by the Nagara style of architecture — True or False?” Testing Nalanda temple architecture.
Answer: False — Nalanda is neither Nagara nor Dravida; it is a unique hybrid
UPSC Mains 2013
“Chola architecture represents a high watermark in the evolution of temple architecture. Discuss.” — Mains question requiring Nagara vs Dravida comparison context.
GS Paper I Mains — Temple architecture evolution
UPSC Mains 2022
“Critically analyse the differences between Nagara and Dravida styles of temple architecture with representative examples.” — Detailed comparative question.
History Paper I Mains — Comparative architecture
UPSC Prelims 2026
“Which of the following temples has/have a Nagara-style shikhara?” — First time UPSC asked aspirants to identify Nagara temples by name from a mixed list of Nagara + Dravida + disputed temples.
Answer: (C) 3 only — Dashavatara Temple, Deogarh
Pattern Observation
UPSC tests temple architecture almost every year. The 2026 question is a new format — identification by temple name rather than definition. Future papers will likely use this format more. Prepare temple-by-temple style mapping.
Prepare: Temple → Style → Dynasty → Location → Feature
Memory Trick — Never Forget This
🧠 Remember It This Way
DEOGARH = DEFINITELY NAGARA — Gupta period, North India (UP), curvilinear rekha shikhara, Panchayatana layout, ~500 CE. This is the gold standard Nagara example.
Karnataka temples = usually NOT Nagara — Badami, Aihole, Pattadakal are all Chalukya territory. They use Dravida or Vesara (hybrid) — NOT classic Nagara. Be suspicious of any Karnataka temple being called Nagara.
Nagara = North India mnemonic: Deogarh · Khajuraho · Konark · Bhubaneswar · Lingaraj · Sun Temple — all North/East India. All curvilinear towers.
Virupaksha trap: Students confuse it with Nagara because it is famous. But it was built by Pallava architects from South India → classic Dravida vimana pyramid.
New UPSC pattern from 2026: Temple architecture is now tested by temple name → style identification. Memorise: Temple name + Location + Style + Dynasty + Period. One table = 5–10 marks.
