Architectural Styles
Vesara
Alt names / subperiods
Timeline
Distinguishing Features
Geographic Presence
500-1200
- Temples with unique blend of the Dravidian (south India curvilinear) & Nagara (north India flat roof) styles
- mainly local stone,
- square cella/sanctum (Garbhagriha)
- multiple deities
- shrines & halls (mandapas)
- tower over sanctum (shikhara)
- pillared halls
- area above sanctum (vimana) in pyramidal form
- richly carved exteriors with sculptures & friezes
- entry facing east
- water tanks (kunds or pushkarinis) for both practical and ritual purposes
- mythological themes
- regional variations [Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Andhra Pradesh]
- Southern India
- Deccan region
Common Building Types
Landmark buildings
Historic Accommodation Types
Accommodation Examples
- Hindu Temples
- Shrines
- monuments
- Kadasiddheshwara Temple
- Virupaksha Temple Hampi
- Mallikarjuna Temple Pattadakal
- Mahadeva Temple Itagi
- Galaganatha Temple
- Kumaraswamy Temple
- Temples at Badami, Rudra
- Temple Aihole
- Temple dharmashalas (charitable rest houses
- Monastic Inns
- Choultries (simple lodges)
- Mathas (monastic/teaching institutions)
- Agrahara / Brahmin settlement hospitality
- Trade-route rest stops (caravan lodging)
- ‘Urban lodging in market towns
- Royal/administrative guest facilities
- Tank-side shelters and mandapas (near pushkarni/kalyani (temple tanks)
- Pilgrim shelters at major temple complexes
- Temple-town choultries / dharmashala-style lodging – Badami (Karnataka); Aihole (Karnataka); Pattadakal (Karnataka); Lakkundi (Karnataka)
- Kalyani / tank-side mandapa in Lakkundi (Karnataka); Mathas Gadag–Dambal region (Karnataka)
- merchant lodging in Kalyani / Basavakalyan region (Karnataka)
Landmarks
Original Accommodation
Adapted Visitor Accommodation
Name
Address
Website