INTRODUCTION 

The Gupta era, often referred to from the 4th to 6th century CE, is said to be the “golden period” in ancient Indian history which saw significant development on various fronts – architectural, religious consolidation of Hinduism as a religion, art, science, etc—this period laid the foundation for Nagara and vesara architecture, regarded as a work of excellence in craftsmanship. 

During the pre-Gupta period, there was also the dominance of Buddhist and Jain architecture like viharas, stupas, and cave architecture. 

BASIC FEATURES 

Structure – 

•  Built on a high platform 
• Simplified shikhara 
• The main deity rested in grabhagriha ( sanctum)    
• With time the complexities in designs occurred. For example – evolution took place from a flat roof to a high and intricate shikhara. Later distinctive nagara and Dravida styles developed with high shikhara and gopurams.   

Temple plan –

•   Square plan. Example – Dashvatara Temple. 
•   Square plan with covered pradikshnapath (circumambulatory path ) Example –  Parvati temple, Nachna. 
•   Rectangular plan – Example – Bhitagaon temple, Uttar Pradesh
• Round plan. Example- Maniyar math, Rajgir . 

             Ornamentation – 

•    Outer walls were initially plain but later became decorative.
•    The entrance door was decorated with floral motifs and intricate carvings of various deities. The  doors also had sculptures of dwarpalas, ganas (attendants)

IMPORTANT GUPTA TEMPLES 

1. Lakshmana Temple, Sirpur – it is a 7th-century CE temple located in Chhattisgarh. It is a rectangular plan temple with a prominent shikhara. The temple is elevated on a high temple platform. 
2. Bhitaragaon Temple, Bhitaragaon – it is again a rectangular plan temple dated 5th century CE located at bhitaragaon , Uttar Pradesh. material used is brick and terracotta. the walls have decorative motifs. 
3. Dashvatara Temple, Deogarh- it is a square plan temple dated early 6th century CE located at Deogarh, Uttar Pradesh. This temple has 4 subsidiary shrines. It is hence example of the PANCHAYATANA style. It has scenes carved of ten (dashvatara) incarnations of Vishnu, hence the name. 
4. Parvati temple, Nachna – it is a rectangular layout temple dated 5th century CE having a pillared mandapa. It is located at Nachna in Madhya Pradesh. Its distinctive feature is its covered circumambulatory path and raised platform with steps leading to the entrance.  

Hence, the significance of Gupta temple architecture in Indian architectural history is huge and vital. It laid the foundation for later temple styles.