Nagara, Dravida, and Vesara are the three principal architectural styles of Hindu temples.

• The Nagara style, dominant in northern India, is identified by its curving tower (shikhara) rising above the sanctum (garbhagriha). Early examples include the Maitraka temples of Gujarat with pyramidal shikharas and gavaksha motifs. The style reached its zenith under the Chandellas at Khajuraho, where temples display soaring forms and richly sculpted, multi-layered outer walls. Regional variations emerged within Nagara architecture, notably the Kalinga style of Odisha, culminating in monuments such as the Lingaraja Temple and the Sun Temple at Konark, as well as the Bhumija style as seen in the Ambernath Temple of Maharashtra.
• The Dravida style of southern India is marked by stepped pyramidal towers (vimanas) and enclosed temple complexes. The Pallavas pioneered this form, with the Shore Temple at Mahabalipuram as a landmark. The Cholas later expanded it monumentally, exemplified by the Brihadeshwara Temple at Thanjavur.
• The Vesara style, developed in the Deccan, blends Nagara and Dravida features. Initiated by the Chalukyas and perfected by the Hoysalas, Vesara temples are renowned for structural experimentation, intricate sculpture, and elevated platforms, as seen at Pattadakal, Belur, and Halebidu.

Together, these styles reveal the diversity, creativity, and exceptional skills of Indian temple builders across regions and centuries.