Art And Architecture
Post Gupta Period - General Knowledge of Ancient History: In the post Gupta period the temples were divided into two categories namely- North Indian style (Nagara) and South Indian style (Dravida). The famous temples of Orissa are excellent examples of the North Indian style (Nagara). These temples are mainly in two parts, the cella or sanctum with a curvilinear shikhara on the roof and a dvaramandapa or pyramidal roof cover. The great Lingaraja Temple at Bhubaneswar and the Sun Temple at Konark are the best examples of this type.
The temples of Khajuraho, built by the Chandela rulers, made significant contributions in the field of temple architecture.
More General Knowledge of Ancient History
The rock-cut temple at Mamallapuram is called Ratha and the temples at Kanchi are called Kailasanatha and Vaikuntha Perumal are the earliest examples of the South Indian or Dravidian style.
The earliest examples of the South Indian or Dravidian style are the rock-cut temples at Mamallapuram known as Rathas, and the structural temples at Kanchi known as Kailashanatha and Vaikunthanath Perumal. All these temples were built by the Pallavas. Two grand temples at Tanjore and Gangaikondacholapuram were built by the Cholas.
The shikharas or towers in South Indian temples were marked by pyramidal towers that stood upright. Sculpture declined rapidly during the Gupta period. However, a great excellence was seen in the sculpture of eastern India during the Pala period. The sculpture of Orissa had achieved high standards of excellence.
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Ancient History