Magnificent Architecture of Ram Mandir: A Blend of Nagara Style and Historical Significance

Temples are places for religious patronage and the structures are built based on the principles of Vastu Shastra and Shilpa Shastra. A typical Hindu temple comprises the main building surrounded by other buildings with dome-shaped structures.

Temple architecture has three main categories namely the Nagara or Northern style, Dravida or Southern style, and the Vesara or Mixed style. The structures typically have different variations based on a square grade that resembles perfect geometric shapes. Every Hindu temple is based on the principle that “All things are one, everything is connected.”

The Basic Structure of a Hindu Temple

The following are the main components of a Hindu temple

Garbhagriha

It refers to the small room design for the principal deity to reside

Mandapa

It is the hall or portico present at the entrance of the temple to accommodate a large number of pilgrims.

Shikhara

It is a tall mountain-like spire with different curvilinear or pyramidal.

Vahana

It is the mount for the main deity constructed in a position that is visible from the Garbhagriha.

However in reality various other structures in a Hindu temple are part of significance. Throughout India, several temples feature a wide range of architectural styles. These designs mostly evolved during a period of regional rulers.

Nagara Architecture of Ram Mandir

Nagara’s style of temple architecture originates from Northern India. The style of architecture is divided into schools based on their region like Khajuraho, Orissa, etc.

Temples based on this style feature a temple on a raised platform known as jagati. Mandapas appear in front of garbhagriha. These are there don’t with shikhara the tallest structure present above the Garbhagriha.

The style is distinctly different in comparison to temples in South India. The Nagara-style temple usually has boundary walls and a gateway with elaborate designs. On the other hand temples in South India usually have magnificent Gopurams. Usually, there is no water tank present within the temple premises. The pradakshina patha has a covering.

Design and Architecture of Ram Mandir

The original design of the Ram temple was first prepared in 1988 by the great Sompura family based in Ahmadabad. Chandrakant Sompura is the chief architect of Ram Lala’s adobe. The grand temple in Ayodhya is based on the Nagara style. The proposed structure is approximately 3080 feet in length 250 feet in width and 161 feet high. It will comprise of 3 storeys.

According to the report, the entire temple structure makes use of stones from the Banshi Mountains in Rajasthan. Overall design will quickly follow the principles of Shilpi Shastra and Vastu Shastra. Designers and architects will make use of the price calculation for designing every element of general.

The design of the shikhara has a close resemblance to the Khajuraho temple. It rises in a pyramidal fashion with a gentle curve towards the top. The top section ends in a horizontal fluted disc shape known as Amalaka topped with Kalasha.

Understanding The Layout of The Temple

Pictures from the temple authorities show the shikhara featuring a square base and rectilinear outline. This resembles the phamsana style shikhara. The shikhara present on top of the mandapa at the entrance sports an octagonal base.

Rama Lala’s adobe will have a total of five mandapas between the entrance and garbhagriha. The names are as follows kudu mandapa, nritya mandapa, rang mandapa. The prarthana mandapa and kirtan mandapa is present on either side of the temple. As per reports, there will be a total of 360 pillars. The chief architect of the temple Mr. Sompura says that it will take about three and a half years to complete the temple. One unique aspect of the temple is that it will comprise more than two lakh bricks collected from various corners of the country over thirty years.