9. Temple Architecture | Vijaynagar , Vesara , Nayaka , Hoysala , Pala | Art and Culture

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Vesara is a combination of Nagara and Dravidian style of temple architecture styles. The term Vesara is believed to have been derived from the Sanskrit word vishra meaning an area to take a long walk. Many historian agree that the Vesara style originated in the what is today Karnataka.
The trend was started by the Chalukyas of Badami (500-753AD) who built temples in a style that was essentially a mixture of the Nagara and the Dravida styles, further refined by the Rashtrakutas of Manyakheta (750- 983AD) in Ellora, Chalukyas of Kalyani (983-1195 AD) in Lakkundi, Dambal, Gadag etc. and epitomized by the Hoysalas (1000-1330 AD)
The Hoysalas temples at Belur, Halebidu and Somnathpura are prime examples of this style.
The Hoysalas were prolific builders of Hindu temples, and their architecture is often described as “temple-centric.” They constructed numerous temples dedicated to deities like Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu, and various forms of the Goddess.
One of the distinctive features of Hoysala architecture is the star-shaped ground plan of many of their temples. These star-shaped temples have multiple shrines placed symmetrically, creating a unique and intricate layout.
The Hoysalas primarily used soapstone (chloritic schist) as their primary building material. This soft stone allowed for intricate carving and detailing.
The hallmark of Hoysala architecture is its incredibly detailed and ornate carvings. These carvings adorn almost every surface of the temples, depicting scenes from Hindu mythology, deities, celestial beings, animals, and intricate geometric patterns.
The sculptures often feature various forms of Lord Vishnu (especially Chennakesava) and Lord Shiva. The Chennakesava Temple in Belur and the Hoysaleswara Temple in Halebidu are famous examples of such carvings.
Nayakas developed a unique style of temple architecture under the broad Dravidian Temple Architecture and they also renovated temples sacked by Delhi Sultans.
Nayaka drew from the temple building tradition of Vijayanagara, Chola and other local traditions. However, they improvised the classical Dravidian style of temple building with unique additions.
Corridors, Mandapas, sanctum sanctorum, Gopurams: Nayaka temples have many gopurams compared to Brihadesvara temple by Chola which has only one gopuram. Paintings: Gopurams of Nayaka period were brightly painted with stucco statues of gods and goddesses, demons, animals etc. Example: Meenakshi Amman Temple at Madurai
The Vijayanagara emperors presided as Lord Virupaksha’s representatives.
It was not portrait style painting, but mural and fresco paintings that adorned the interiors of structures like palaces and revered temples-was one of the ways the Vijayanagara expressed itself.
Vijayanagara painting hasn’t been around for very long. Manuscripts, which are made of an even more fragile material than temples, degrade and crumble. The excellent painters of the Vijayanagara Empire are still visible in a few temples, like the Virabhadra Temple in Lepakshi, and some museums have fragments of texts that were written and painted on cotton and other materials.
The Pala Empire was dethroned by the Hindu Sena dynasty in the 12th century. The Pala period is also known as a ‘Golden Era’ in Bengali history.
They built magnificent monasteries and temples: Somapura Mahavihara (in Bangladesh), Odantapuri Monastery. They also patronised Buddhist centres of learning like Nalanda University and the Vikramshila University.
During this time, the Bengali language developed. The first Bengali literary work Charyapada is attributed to this period. It was written in an Abahatta (the common ancestor of Bengali, Assamese, Odia and Maithili.
Balaputradeva, the Sailendra king of Java sent an ambassador to Devapala. Buddhist poet Vajradatta who composed Lokesvarashataka was in Devapala’s court. Many Buddhist teachers from the Pala kingdom travelled to Southeast Asia to spread the faith. Atisha preached in Sumatra and Tibet. Sanskrit scholars were also patronised by the Pala kings. Gaudapada composed Agama Shastra during the time of the Palas.
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