Situated in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, the temple of Bhitargaon stands as one of India’s oldest surviving brick temples. Its establishment can be dated back to the 5th century A.D during the reign of the Gupta Empire. The temple is unique for its ancient terracotta design and a towering Shikhara or spire, which influenced the intricate Nagara style of North Indian temple architecture.
Transition From Worship to Temple Architecture
Evidence indicates that there were no significant instances of temple architecture during the Vedic period. With time, the systematic method of worship laid the foundation of temple structures. From the 3rd century BCE, the first signs of rock-cut architecture began to emerge. While the pioneering rock-cut forms belong to the Mauryan dynasty, it is the Ajanta caves, assigned to the post-Mauryan era, that are often rated as the earliest rock-cut temples.
As knowledge and construction techniques advanced, rock-cut temples made way for stone temples. However, due to the limited availability of stones, artisans turned towards bricks for construction. Especially in the Gangetic plains where alluvial soil was prevalent and stones scarce, brick structures gained prominence. Even though brick temples didn’t stand against time like their rock-cut and stone counterparts, the brick temple of Bhitargaon has remained, making it truly special.
Uniqueness of Bhitargaon Temple’s Architecture
Bhitargaon temple’s entrance to the sanctum showcases one of the earliest examples of a semi-circular doorway, labeled as the ‘Hindu arch’ by Alexander Cunningham, the inaugural Director General of the Archaeological Survey of India in 1871. This architectural feature was exclusive to India.
The temple flaunts a high pyramidal Shikhara over the inner sanctum, or garbha griha, which later became an essential element of Indian Nagara temple architecture. Moreover, the temple walls are beautified with terracotta sculptures of deities like Shiva, Parvati, Ganesha, Vishnu, and others, separated by bold ornamental pilasters. Cunningham suggested that the existence of the Varaha incarnation sculpture at the back of the temple indicates its affiliation with Vishnu.
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Temple | Bhitargaon Temple |
| Located in | Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh |
| Established | 5th Century A.D |
| Architectural Style | Nagara |
| Predominating Deity | Vishnu |
Diversity in Temple Architecture: Nagara, Dravida, and Vesara
Indian temple architecture displays diversity, owing to regional variations like distinct features seen in Orissa, Kashmir, and Bengal temples. Generally, it is categorised into three groups – Nagara (North), Dravida (South), and Vesara styles.
Nagara temples characteristically have a shikhara tower with a sloping curve, topped by an amalaka and a small spherical pot known as kalash. Khajuraho’s Kandariya Mahadeva temple in Madhya Pradesh is a prime representation of Nagara architecture.
In contrast, Dravida towers or vimanas are designed as stepping pyramids ascending linearly. Unique to this style is the presence of a water tank within the temple enclosure and a solitary vimana atop the main temple. The Brihadishwara Temple complex at Tanjavur, build in the 11th century A.D by Imperial Chola’s Rajaraja I, exemplifies Dravida architecture.
Vesara style, flourishing under the late Chalukya rulers in the 7th century A.D, blends both Nagara and Dravidian styles, resulting in a hybrid form. Karnataka’s Durga temple at Aihole is a notable example of Vesara style temple.
