Mentor’s Comment:

This is a straightforward question, where all you have to do is explain the similarities and differences between the Dravida and Vesara type of architecture.

In the introduction, explain the two forms of architecture one by one.

Then in the main body, under the subheading “similarities between the two types of architecture” explain the identical features of both schools. Then in the next subheading “differences between the two architecture types” discuss the features of both types which made them distinct to each other.

Model Answer:

• Hindu temple architecture in India has developed over time into several distinct, mature styles. Each of these styles was localised, meaning – it is found in certain areas of India: the Nagara in the north and east, the Dravida in the south, and the Vesara in the central, deccan and west.
• The Dravida architectural style is associated with the temples of southern India or Deccan. The earliest traces of Dravida architectural features go back to Gupta period. Dravida style with the land between the Krishna and Kaveri rivers.
• Vesara style is sometimes associated with the area between the Vindhyas and the Krishna river. It is a hybrid style that borrowed both Nagara and Dravida styles. This trend of merging two styles was started by the Chalukyas of Badami (500-735 AD) who built temples in a style that was essentially a mixture of the Nagara and Dravida styles, further refined by the Rashtrakutas of Manyakheta (750-983 AD) in Ellora, Chalukyas of Kalyani (983-1195 AD) in Lakkundi, Dambal, Gadag etc. and epitomized by the Hoysalas (1000-1330 AD). Most of the temples built in Halebid, Belur and Somanathapura are classified under this style.

Similarities between Dravida and Vesara School of Architecture:

• Both styles of architecture were developed with the help of Dynasties.
• Both styles had Pyramidical Towers (Vimana)
• The hall in Dravida as well as Vesara architecture was built in square shape.

Differences between Dravida and Vesara School of Architecture:

• While the shape of the Vimana was pyramidical in both schools of architecture, the height of Vimana in Vesara architecture was smaller in comparison to Dravida style.
• In the Dravida style, subsidiary shrines are either incorporated within the main temple tower, or located as distinct, separate small shrines beside the main temple. On the other hand, in the Vesara style, multiple shrines are present side by side.
• While Gopurams were an essential feature in Dravida style, it was not the case in Vesara type architecture. They may or may not be constructed in Vesara school.
• A water tank is present at the front of temple from where water is drawn for sacred purposes in the Dravidian type of architecture but such was not the case in Vesara architecture.
• A Dravida temple is enclosed within a compound wall, whereas, compound walls may not be present in Vesara style temple.
• The Vesara style has a barrel roof over the sanctuary, an architectural feature with roots in the Buddhist chaityas (rock-cut cave temples). This was missing in Dravidian temple.

Conclusion:

• To summarise, the basic differences and similarities between these two school of temple architecture can be simplified to the different styles of the temple towers. Different emphases in the ways of treating the tower led to different substyles. In the Dravida style, the towers tend to be composed of horizontal tiers, with the visual emphasis on horizontal rather than vertical.
• In the later Dravida temples, the tallest structures are the gopurams, the central gateways in the walls enclosing the temples. A Dravida-style temple may have a fairly modest tower over the central shrine, but the area covered by the temple is often enormous, and many of them are cities in their own right. The Vesara style has a barrel roof over the sanctuary, an architectural feature with roots in the Buddhist chaityas (rock-cut cave temples).