Vesara Architecture

Notes

Region: Deccan, between the Vindhyas and the Krishna. It is a hybrid of Nagara and Dravida (the term is sometimes called the Chalukyan style).
Early Chalukyas (Badami):
- Aihole: "cradle of Indian temple architecture." Durga, Lad Khan and Hucchimalli temples.
- Pattadakal: Virupaksha (Lokamahadevi) and Papanatha temples. Both Nagara and Dravida forms exist here. UNESCO 1987.
- Badami.
Rashtrakuta: Kailasa at Ellora.
Hoysala:
- Belur (Chennakeshava), Halebidu (Hoysaleswara), Somanathapura (Keshava).
- Features: star-shaped (stellate) plan, soapstone, raised platform (jagati), lathe-turned pillars, dense sculpture.
- UNESCO 2023: Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysalas.
Kakatiya: Ramappa (Rudreshwara) Temple, Telangana. Sandstone, floating bricks in the vimana, UNESCO 2021.
Late Chalukya (Kalyani): Lakkundi, Ittagi and Gadag temples.

Key points: Hoysala style is distinguished by its stellate base and detailed soapstone carving.