page_title: Vesara
hierarchical_section_title: Vesara
caption_attribution_description: English: One of the intricately carved sides of the Keshava Temple at Somanathapura This is a photo of ASI monument number&#160; N-KA-B160.
context_page_description: Vesara is one of a number of terms for a distinct stylistic tradition of Indian Hindu temple architecture primarily used in the Deccan, parts of North India and Central India, between the Vindhyas and the river Krishna. The two other prominent modes or styles are the Dravida or Dravidian of South India and the Nagara of North India. Vesara is a combination of features from these two temple styles, and its own original characteristics.
  The term was used by ancient writers, but possibly not with the same meaning as in modern usage. For this and other reasons, it is avoided by some writers, such as Adam Hardy. Alternative terms for the whole time span of the tradition, from the 7th to the 13th century CE, include Karnata Dravida, 'Central Indian temple architecture style', 'Deccan architecture', or for shorter periods, terms referring to local dynasties, such as "Chalukyan architecture", or more precisely Early Chalukya or Badami Chalukya architecture and Later or Western Chalukya architecture, and Hoysala architecture.
  Among those who do use "vesara", there is some disagreement as to what periods to use it for.
context_section_description: Vesara is one of a number of terms for a distinct stylistic tradition of Indian Hindu temple architecture primarily used in the Deccan, parts of North India and Central India, between the Vindhyas and the river Krishna (VK Agnihotri, Indian History, p. B-34). The two other prominent modes or styles are the Dravida or Dravidian of South India and the Nagara of North India. Vesara is a combination of features from these two temple styles, and its own original characteristics.
  The term was used by ancient writers, but possibly not with the same meaning as in modern usage. For this and other reasons, it is avoided by some writers, such as Adam Hardy.  Alternative terms for the whole time span of the tradition, from the 7th to the 13th century CE, include Karnata Dravida (Hardy's choice), 'Central Indian temple architecture style', 'Deccan architecture', or for shorter periods, terms referring to local dynasties, such as "Chalukyan architecture", or more precisely Early Chalukya or Badami Chalukya architecture and Later or Western Chalukya architecture, and Hoysala architecture (see the more detailed articles on these).  
  Among those who do use "vesara", there is some disagreement as to what periods to use it for. Such disagreements are very largely restricted to matters of nomenclature: whether the term is useful, and if so, what it should cover, in particular whether the Early as well as the Later Chalukya is included in "Vesara". There is general agreement about most aspects of the actual surviving buildings.
caption: Chennakesava Temple, Somanathapura, 1258
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