Compare any two temple styles in India; supplement with a line drawing.
Answers
Answer:
North - South is a very broad distinction. India has three types of temple architectures (broadly speaking). Nagara (between Himalayas and Vindyas), Dravida (South of Deccan) and Vesara (Deccan region). But for the purpose of this question, I will combine Dravida and Vesara as "South Indian". Here are the differences:
Size of Temples:
The first obvious difference you would see between North and South Indian temples is the sheer size. Southern temples are much larger in comparision. It is fair to say that, South Indian kings invested a lot in temples than their palaces, which is quite the opposite in the North. Srirangam Ranganathar temple in Tamilnadu occupies an area of 156 acres, making it the largest working worship place in the world. In perspective, the entire area of the country of Monaco (2 sq. km) can only hold three Srirangam temples. Vatican City can only hold 2/3rd of Srirangam temple. None of the North Indian temples are as grand as these structures.
Srirangam Raja Gopuram of height 239 ft is the tallest temple tower in the world
For a person travelling from South, the first impression of North Indian temples is “wait… that’s it?!”. South Indians aren’t simply accustomed to temples being in modest sizes.
Kedarnath Temple with a breath-taking backdrop
But who needs a grand structure when you have a backdrop with the million dollar view?! North Indian temples are truly gifted in the sense they have more natural beauty to them. The majestic Ganga flowing through Rishikesh, or the breath taking backdrop of Himalayas in Kedarnath and Badrinath adds serenity to these temples. In Sanskrit there is a beautiful word called ‘sanidhyam’ – which means feeling closer to God. North Indian temples are naturally gifted in sanidhyam.
Agamam (ritual modality):
South Indian temples follow very strict agamam culture. Agamam is a set of text that defines the worship, temple traditions and ritual protocols. There are three agamams: Saiva (for Shiva temples) and Vaikanasam & Paancharaatram (for Vishnu temples). Shaiva agamam are quite simple and less formal. In my opinion, rituals in Paancharatra agamam is very elaborate than Vaikanasa agamam. The exception to this agamic culture is Kerala temples where they perform tantric rituals.
Thirumanjanam (daily bath ritual) as per Vaikanasa Agamam in Tirumala temple presided by Pontiff
North Indian temples don't follow this agamic system. From what I have seen, North Indian temples have relaxed rituals. Moreover, the modality of rituals is not unified in all North Indian temples. This even allows common people to touch the idols. In Kashi, you can do abhishekam to Shiva Lingam, and even better, you can hug the idol of Pandurangan in Pandharpur. In south, only temple priests are allowed to touch the idols and perform the rituals because of strict agamam.
Narendra Modi performing abhishekam to Kashi Viswanathar
Forms of divinity in temples:
All South Indian temples have idols being both moolavar (made of stone) and utsavar (usually made of panchalogam - 5 metals - gold, silver, copper, iron, lead). Moolavar stays in the temple and is usually made of hard rock and is represented in black colour. Utsavar is used for temple processions and can be carried outside the temple during festivals.
Srirangam Moolavar and Utsavar. Moolavar in South Indian temples are usually made of black stones
Some Vishnu temples even have up to 5 representations of the main deity. They are called panchaperar namely: Moolavar, Utsavar (used for processions), Yaagaberar (used in yaagams), Kauthugar (metallic miniature of moolavar) and theerthaberar.
In most North Indian temples, the idols are a represented in a very humble way, and they don't have a utsavar idols for processions. White marble representation of deity is quite common in North Indian temples, which is the opposite in South India, where idols are made of black stone.
Marble statue of Krishna in North India
Also Tamil Nadu has a unique way of representing Shiva in dancing form called Nataraja, which is very important to Tamil people.
Shiva worshiped in dancing posture - Nataraja
Nandi (bull - chief of Shiva’s staff) plays a very important role in South Indian temples too, represented by a huge monolithic structure.
Huge Nandi in Tanjore Big Temple
Nataraja in his manifestation of formlessness is worshipped in Chidambaram. This concept is very alien to Hinduism. Nataraja is said to continuously dance in a state of eternal bliss, with his consort Shakti or energy. A curtain covers this space which when drawn reveals strands of golden ‘Vilva’ leaves hung to indicate the Lord’s presence. The curtain is dark on its exterior side (indicating ignorance) and bright red on the interior side (indicating wisdom and bliss).
There are two types of building temple architecture, the first is Nagara style and the second is Dravidian style.
Explanation:
North Indian temples are built on the basis of Nagara style architecture. The temples in north are characterized based on the bee hive shaped tower. Layer upon layer of architectural elements are found which then is ended by a top circular shaped head on the tower. In chandelle temples, the central tower is sculpted so intrinsically that it is a visual treat to the onlookers who imagine it to be a fountain.
In the Dravidian temple architecture, the tower is pyramid shaped. It consists of small storeys, a narrow throat, and a dome on the top which is called the shikhara.