Dravidian Sikhara Identification: Teli ka Mandir

The question asks to identify which temple among the choices features a Sikhara (tower) of the Dravidian architectural style.

Understanding Temple Architecture Styles

Indian temple architecture is broadly categorized. Key styles relevant here include:

• Nagara Style: Predominant in North India, characterized by a curvilinear, beehive-shaped tower rising towards a point, often capped with an amalaka and kalasha.
• Dravidian Style: Common in South India, featuring a pyramidal tower made of progressively smaller storeys (vimidhana), topped with a dome-shaped or polygonal finial (shikhara).

Analysis of Temple Sikhara Styles

Let's examine the Sikhara style of each temple listed:

• Ananta Vasudeva temple, Bhubaneswara: This temple follows the Kalinga style, a variation of the North Indian Nagara school. Its Sikhara is not Dravidian.
• Kandariya Mahadeva temple, Khajuraho: A classic example of the Chandela dynasty's Nagara style architecture. Its Sikhara is quintessentially North Indian Nagara, not Dravidian.
• Lakshman Temple, Sirpur: This brick temple largely adheres to the Nagara or Vesar architectural styles, not Dravidian.
• Teli ka Mandir, Gwalior: This temple is unique. While part of a larger complex in Gwalior (North India), its Sikhara is distinctively tall and has a barrel-vaulted roof, strongly resembling the Dravidian style. It is often cited as the primary example of Dravidian influence or type in North Indian temple architecture.

Conclusion on Sikhara Type

Based on architectural assessments, the Teli ka Mandir in Gwalior is recognized for having a Sikhara that aligns with the Dravidian type, distinguishing it from the Nagara style prevalent in the other listed temples.