{{short description|Hindu temple architecture in the state of Assam}} {{Infobox art movement |name = Nilachal architecture |image = {{photomontage |photo1a=Kamakhya Temple, Guwahati.jpg |photo1b= |photo1c= |photo2a=Bhuvaneswari Temple, Guwahati.jpg |photo2b= |photo2c= |photo3a= |photo3b= |photo3c= |size = |color_border = #AAAAAA |color = #F9F9F9 }} | caption = Top: [[Kamakhya Temple|Kamakhya Temple at Nilachal hills in Guwahati]]<br />Bottom: [[Guwahati|Bhuvaneswari Temple in Guwahati]] |location = India }} {{Assam History}} '''Nilachal''' is a [[Architectural style|style]] of [[Hindu temple architecture]] in [[Assam]], India, that is characterized by a bulbous polygonal dome over a cruciform ''[[Ratha (architecture)|ratha]]'' type ''bada''.<ref>{{harvcol|Sarma|1988|p=140ff}}</ref> This hybrid style developed first in the [[Kamakhya temple]] on the Nilachal hills under the [[Koch kingdom]] and became popular as a style later under the [[Ahom kingdom]].<ref>{{harvcol|Sarma|1988|p=108}}</ref>

==Origin== The Koch king Viswasingha restarted worship at the ruins of the Kamakhya temple, and his son, Naranarayana decided to reconstruct the temple from the existing material lying scattered. He sent artisans and craftsmen under an army general named Meghamukdam. After two failed attempts at restoring the stone ''shikhara'', Meghamukdam decided to take recourse to brick masonry and created the current dome.<ref>{{harvcol|Sarma|1988|p=123}}</ref> Made by craftsmen and architects more familiar with Islamic architecture of Bengal, the dome became bulbous and hemispherical which was ringed by minaret-inspired ''angashikharas''.<ref>{{harvcol|Sarma|1988|p=124}}</ref>

==Examples== * [[Kamakhya temple]] * Jai Dol * Siddhesvara temple, Sualkuchi

==Notes== {{reflist|2}}

==References== {{refbegin}} *{{cite book | last = Sarma | first = P. C. | title = Architecture of Assam | publisher = Agam Kala Prakashan | year = 1988 | location = Delhi }} {{refend}}

{{Architecture of India}}

[[Category:Architecture of Assam]] [[Category:Hindu temple architecture]]