The architectural principles of temples in India are described in Shilpa Shastra. Shilpa Shastra mentions three main type of temple architecture – Nagara or the Northern style, the Dravida or the Southern style and the Vesara or Mixed style.

Nagara style

The style of temple architecture that became popular in northern India is known as Nagara. Nagara style was developed regionally each region manifesting its own particular qualities.

Dravida Style

Dravida style of temple architecture became popular in South India. Dravida style of temples was developed dynastically, however the major features of these temples remained common across the dynasties.

Vesara Style

In the mid-seventh century, a distinct style of temple architecture grew in Karnataka region under the patronage of Chalukya rulers. The temples in this region follow a hybridised style which combines the features of both Nagara and Dravida styles.

Similarities and differences of three styles: 

Nagara:   

• Northern region

• Developed regionally each region manifesting its own particular qualities

• Ground Plan: Mostly Square shaped

• Curvilinear tower (Shikhara built over garbhagriha) gradually curving inward

• Multiple Shikharas

• Squared hall

• Sanctum Garbhagriha

• Gopurams are absent

• A water tank may or may not be present

• Compound walls are absent

• Examples – Dashavatara temple (Deogarh), Vishwanatha temple(Khajuraho), Lakshman Temple (Khajuraho), Jagannath temple (Puri) 

Dravida:

• Southern region

• Developed dynastically

• Ground Plan: Mostly Square shaped

• Pyramidical Tower (Vimana) with several stories in receding dimension

• Subsidiary shrines are either incorporated within the main temple tower, or located as distinct, separate small shrines beside the main temple.

• Squared hall

• Sanctum Garbhagriha

• Gopurams are present

• A water tank is present at the front of temple from where water is drawn for sacred purposes

• enclosed within a compound wall

• Examples – Shore temple (Mahabalipuram), Brihadiswara temple (Thanjavur), Meenakshi Temple (Madurai)

Vesara

• Deccan region(Between the Vindhyas and Krishna river)

• Mixture of two styles Hybrid style. It was developed both regionally and dynastically.

• Ground Plan: increasingly complex, including start like plan

• The shape of tower was Pyramidical but height was reduced (Miniature Vimanas)

• Multiple shrines are present side by side

• Squared hall

• Sanctum Garbhagriha

• Gopurams may or may not be present

• A water tank may or may not be present

• Compound walls may or may not be present

• Examples – Badami temple, Durga Temple (Aihole), Virupaksh Temple (Pattadkal), Keshava Temple (Somnathpur