The style of temple architecture that became popular in northern India is known as nagara. In North India it is common for an entire temple to be built on a stone platform with steps leading up to it. While the earliest temples had just one tower, or shikhara, later temples had several.
The temples are made in Panchayatana style i.e., a temple that has a central shrine surrounded by four other shrines. Examples: Brahmeshvara temple, Odisha, Deogarh, Jhansi & Khajuraho, MP.
In Mahabalipuram, rathas sculpture of Arjuna’s penance and descent of Ganga are depicted. A panel shows Varaha avatar surrounded by Surya, Brahma, Rishis and Prithvi. A great masterpiece is the carving showing goddess Durga engaged in a fierce battle with the buffalo headed demon.
The garbhagriha is always located directly under the tallest tower.
Sikharas were 3 types of Shikharas:
Latina: It is square at the base and whose walls curve or slope inward to a point on top is called the ‘latina’ or the rekha-prasada type of shikara.
Phamansa: Their roofs are composed of several slabs that gently rise to a single point over the centre of the building.
Valabhi: These are rectangular buildings with a roof that rises into a vaulted chamber. They are usually called ‘wagon-vaulted buildings’
