Regional Variations and Schools of Nagara Style Part-I

The Chandelas in the centre of India around 1000 AD created this style of temple construction known as the Khajuraho School or Chandela School.
It is made of sandstone.
Generally north or east facing.
These are relatively modest-looking shrines each having four pillars that support a small mandapa which looks like a simple square porch-like extension before an equally small room that served as the garbhagriha.
This temple is in the panchayatana style.
The presence of this curving latina or rekha-prasada type of shikhara also makes it clear that this is an early example of a classic nagara style of temple.
Examples: Vishwanatha temple, Khajuraho , Kandariya Mahadeo temple, Khajuraho.

Fig: Kandariya Mahadeo temple, Khajuraho

There are two schools that developed in Gujarat & Rajasthan these are Solanki school in Gujarat and Jain Temples in Mount Abu.

Gujarat School
- The stone used to build the temples ranges in colour and type with sandstone being most common construction material employed.
- Presence of hundred-square-metre rectangular pond(suryakund)
- A huge ornamental arch-torana leads one to the sabha mandapa (the assembly hall) which is open on all sides.
- Example: Sun temple, Modhera, Gujarat

Fig: Sun temple, Modhera, Gujarat

2. Rajasthan School

Use of white marble.
The walls of the central small shrine are devoid of carving and are left plain as the temple faces the east.
The ornamental detail spreading over the minutely carved ceilings, doorways, pillars, and panels.
Example: Dilwara Temple,Mount Abu