Nagara

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Scope note
A style of architecture that refers to the temple types of northern India that were developed beginning in the sixth century; the word literally means "pertaining to the city," possibly revealing the origins of the form. The early version of this style was characterized by offsets (bhadra) projecting as cardinal niches from the cubic cella; the niches usually contained images of the sanctum's divinity. A curvilinear tower carried the offsets upward to a topmost altar (uttaravedi) with a crowning amalaka; during consecration a finial carved as a lustration pot, sometimes with foliage, was placed on top of the amalaka. Niches with guardian dieties (dikpalas) were placed at the corners and more offsets were added. Various regional forms developed out of this basic style, also called latina because of the vertical 'creepers' or latas. Multi-spired forms were increasingly popular from the eleventh century.
Nagara
Accepted term: 06-May-2024