Rajasthan Computer Anudeshak Bharti 2026 | Rajasthan Art & Culture – Temples (मंदिर) Of Rajasthan

Main ideas / lessons conveyed

1) Temple “styles” as an exam topic (how to approach questions)

The video emphasizes that in Rajasthan/India temple architecture, questions commonly ask:

1. Which architectural style a temple belongs to.
2. What special features/characteristics identify that style.

The session is framed as a “last part of temples,” focused on styles and their key characteristics, with examples.

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2) Core focus: Nagara style (origins, characteristics, construction idea, and examples)

Origin / meaning

• Nagara is linked to Nagar, meaning city (larger than a village).

Key characteristics (as taught)

The style is taught with multiple recognizable traits:

• Built on a high platform
• From base to peak, the structure is square / quadrangular
• Shikhara (peak): the topmost portion is also square/quadrangular
• Reference is made to eight characteristics mentioned in a text (Kalikagama)—including the idea that height can be octagonal (the subtitle text is unclear, but the “octagonal in height” idea is stated)
• Stairs from all sides to reach the platform
• An early flat roof, later evolving so the shikhara rises
• Inner sanctum (garbhagriha) contains the main idol
• Around/inside the sacred area are statues of gods and goddesses
• Pradakshina pathway/position (circumambulation):
  • People move around the idol/temple: this movement is pradakshina
• Mentioned elements:
  • Decorated pillars supporting the roof/pavilion at the front entrance
  • A “covered pradakshina pada” around the garbhagriha (subtitle wording is imperfect, but the idea is circumambulation space around the sanctum)

Methodology-style teaching: “build the temple in your mind” (step-by-step layout)

The speaker uses a mental construction sequence to identify Nagara style:

1. Start with a ground surface
2. Build a platform above the ground
3. Introduce the dome concept as part of the early structure
4. At the front/top region, emphasize:
   • Square/quadrangular shikhara shape
   • Pillars believed/said to be present around the relevant front area
5. Stairs enable entry up to the platform
6. Inside is the garbhagriha (sanctum sanctorum) with the main statue
7. Walls contain installed statues
8. Identify key part names taught in the lesson:
   • Garbhagriha = where the idol/statue is
   • Pradakshina path/position = circumambulation route
   • Pada Dakshina path = explicitly named as the circumambulation path area
9. Conclude Nagara style when the temple matches these traits (high platform, square/quadrangular plan and shikhara, circumambulation behavior, sanctum with idols, etc.).

Spread / region (where Nagara style occurs)

Nagara style is taught as covering a wide belt:

• North: Himalayas region (including places like Chamba, Kangra)
• South extent: up to “Tubhadra”
• West to East: from Lat/Maharashtra (west) to Bengal and Orissa (east)
• The “main center” is stated as: Madhya Pradesh
• It includes Himalayas and Vindhyachal as important reference zones.

Main examples named

• Sun Temple of Osian (Osiya/Oshia) — built between 8th–9th centuries
• Khajuraho temple complex (MP; associated with Chandel rulers)
• Sun Temple of Konark (Odisha) — “Black Pagoda”
  • Mentions: king Narasimha, Kesari clan
  • Note: the current spire is incomplete
• Mountain tradition: Nagar temples of Kashmir and Nepal (roof form adapted to local climate/environment)

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3) Panchayatan style (an advanced/evolved form of Nagara)

Relationship to Nagara

• Panchayatan style is described as an advanced/evolved form of Nagara.

Main characteristics (as taught)

• Five main temple components/parts are mentioned, including:
  • Pancha Ratha Sandha
  • A magnificent sanctum sanctorum
• A “five chariot” concept is referenced:
  • Mentions a Surya image on a chariot drawn by five horses
  • The sculptural arrangement reflects “five rathas”
• Additional named spaces for figures/icons:
  • Antaral, Garh Mandap, Rang Mandap, Mukh Mandap
• Garbhagriha devkosh idea and “four statues” in corners:
  • Four related deities/figures associated with the Chaturvyuha set are listed (the subtitle is unclear, but the concept is “four corner idols”)
• Core layout taught:
  • Main idol in sanctum
  • Four different idols in the four corners/directions:
    • Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva, and Surya
• Roof shape:
  • Emphasizes a flat roof (not a triangular dome type) for this style
• Devotional/theological placement:
  • Panchdev Devi seated near/with the main deity
  • Ashtadikpalas at temple corners (guardians of the universe)

Examples named

• Dashavatara Temple of Deogarh (Jhansi) — stated as the first example of Panchayatan style
• In Rajasthan:
  • Shiva temple of Baroli
  • Harihar temple of Osian — called a prime example; also described as an advanced form of Nagara

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4) Dravidian style (South Indian origin and structural traits)

Origin / early example

• Earliest surviving Dravidian example taught as:
  • Saptapeguda / Saptapogoda / Seven Pagoda Temple at Mamallapuram
  • Built by Pallava kings (7th century AD)
• Memory cue for South dynasties:
  • Chera, Chola, Pandya, Rashtrakuta, Pallava

Spread/patronage

• Extends from the Krishna–Tungabhadra region toward Kumari Antti (Kanyakumari)
• Patronage mentioned through rulers:
  • Chola, Pandya, Pallava, Vijayanagar, etc.
• The video references a later historical division after the Gupta era:
  • Vijayanagar and Bahmani (subtitle context unclear, but the point is that Vijayanagar patronized/kept the style)

Main structural characteristics (as taught)

• Lower body square, upper head round
• Upper form becomes a dome
• Above the garbhagriha, there is a pyramid-shaped multi-storey structure
• Courtyard concept:
  • Complex surrounded by a high and wide courtyard
  • Includes small/big temples, rooms/halls, and sometimes ponds
• Gopuram:
  • A huge entry gateway into the courtyard, often extremely tall (sometimes higher than the main peak)
• Layout sequence described:
  • Gopuram (entry gate) → courtyard → garbhagriha/sanctum → shikhara/peak above sanctum

Examples named

• Vriḍdheśwara Rajarajeswara Temple, Thanjavur
• Kailasanath Baikuntha temple (subtitle is messy, but indicates a Kailash/Kailasanatha-type example in the region)
• “Exception in North India”:
  • Vaishnav temple of Vrindavan is stated as a Dravidian-style exception (even though Dravidian is mainly associated with South India)

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5) Besar (Mishra) style (blend of North and South)

Definition / meaning

• Besar style is described as a blend of Panchayatan/Nagara (North) and Dravidian (South).
• Compared to a “mule/mixed” origin: a hybrid formed from two sources.

Area / thematic feature claimed

• Location belt mentioned between Vindhyachal and the Krishna–Tungabhadra area.
• Key lesson emphasized:
  • No sectarian distinction in architecture
  • Presented as pure Indian architecture
  • Framed as a symbol of communal harmony, with idols of all kinds placed without focusing on one religion.

Additional named sub-style: Bhumija style (within Besar discussion)

• Presented as an excellent sub-style of Nagara architecture.
• Key features described:
  • Spire described as Latina / Ekadanda shikhara (long/spire form)
  • Chetanya Mukha design mentioned
  • Strips on the peak with Hindu god/goddess statues
  • Rows of small peaks decreasing in size from bottom to top along all four corners
  • Open-roof circumambulation space: circumambulation/parikrama remains totally open (no roof)

Bhumija style: major temples in Rajasthan named

• Jain temple of Shewari
• Maa Naleshwar temple of Menal (Pali)
• Bhand Devra Bara of Ramgarh
• Undeshwar Temple of Bijolia
• Sun Temple of Jalrapatan
• Jain Temple of Ranakpur
• Nath Ji Temple of Chittorgarh

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Instruction / tasks explicitly given (Homework and other directives)

• Homework (HW):

  • HW1: Which is the oldest temple of Bhumij style in Rajasthan?
  • HW2: The only Dravidian style temple in North India (implied to be Vrindavan’s Vaishnav temple, based on earlier discussion)

• Additional viewing suggestion:

  • Check the Warrior series video section for short ~15-minute videos to learn faster.

• Schedule mention:

  • Next class/session: 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm CET
  • Topic: language and literature (subtitles unclear, but CET-focused content indicated)

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Speakers / sources featured

• Speaker/host: Pankaj Bishnoi (named near the end as “brother Pankaj Bishnoi”)
• Religious/architectural reference mentioned:
  • Kalikagama (referenced for “eight characteristics” of Nagara-style elements)
• Dynasties/rulers mentioned:
  • Pallava kings
  • Chera, Chola, Pandya, Rashtrakuta, Pallava
  • Chandel king (for Khajuraho)
  • King Narasimha of Kesari clan (for Konark)
  • Vijayanagar and Bahmani (historical empires)