Dravidian Temple Architecture

Dravidian architecture/south Indian temple architecture emerged in the Southern parts of the Indian subcontinent during the closing decades of the seventh century And it reached its final form by the 16th century.

Divisions of Dravidian-style temple architecture:

Based on the shape of the layout of a temple, Dravidian temples can be subdivided into the following categories:

1. KUTA or CATURASRA Shape (Square shaped temples)
2. SHALA or AYATASRA Shape (rectangular-shaped temples)
3. GAJA-PRISHTA or VRITTAYATA Shape (elliptical shape temples)
4. VRITTA shape (Circular shape temples)
5. Elliptical: Gaja-prishta or Elephant backed or Vrittayata or Wagon vaulted shapes of apsidal Chaityas with a horseshoe-shaped entrance façade usually called Nasi;
6. Octagonal:

Development of South Indian temple architecture:

Pallava style of temple architecture:

The reign of Pallavas (7th-9th century CE) is considered to be excellent in the erection of magnificent temples. The port town, Mamallapuram or Mahabalipuram, was the centre of structural activities.

In the earlier period, hard igneous rocks were used for temple buildings, like granite for the Olakkannesvara and the Shore temple and gneiss for the Talagirisvara and Mukundunayanar temples. Later, soft sandstone also came into use.

The development of Pallava-style temple architecture can be classified chronologically into four stages. These four stages witnessed the stylistic taste of the individual rulers and their preferences.

1. Mahendra Group: The development of South Indian temple architecture began under the Pallava ruler Mahendra Varman.
   • These temples were mainly rock-cut temples.
   • The temples were usually called ‘Mandapas’. But, on the contrary, the term Mandapa was used only for the assembly hall in Nagara-style architecture.
   • Examples: temples at Mandagapattu, Pallavaram and Mamandur.
2. Narasimha Group
   • In this second stage of Pallava temple architecture, the rock-cut temples were adorned by intricate sculptures.
   • The mandapas began to be divided into separate The biggest one was called Dharmaraja Ratha, while the smallest one was named Draupadi Ratha.
   • The Dravida style of architecture is the successor of the Dharmaraj Ratha style.
3. Raja Simha Group
   • Rajasimha Varman led the third stage of Temple development.
   • Under his reign, actual structural temples were developed in place of rock-cut temples.
   • Examples: Shore Temple at Mahabalipuram and Kailashnath Temple at Kanchipuram.

Shore temple at Mamallapuram

Mamallapuram has three structures or shrines within the temple complex dedicated to Shiva and Vishnu. The first shrine is called Rajasimhesvara, a three-storeyed Vimana-type temple dedicated to Shiva. Which has a square plan, but the griva and sikhara are eight-sided, which shows its Dravidian architecture. The pillars and pilasters have roaring lions. The second shrine, called Ksatriyasimhesvara, is dedicated to Shiva. It has a four-storeyed vimana with a square plan and octagonal griva and sikhara surmounted by a polished basalt finial. As the decoratives of hara, the second and third talas have kutas and salas. The third shrine, known as Narapatisimhapallava Visnugrha, is dedicated to Visnu. It is a mandapa shrine, a single-storeyed hall-type structure and stands between the two temples of Shiva.

4. Nandi Varman group
   • This was the fourth and final stage of temple development during the Pallava Dynasty.
   • The temples were reduced in size, and the features are almost similar to the Dravidian style of temple architecture.
   • Examples – Vaikuntha Perumal temple.

Other famous temples of the Pallava period

Kailasnatha temple of Kanchipuram The Kailasnatha temple is located at Kanchipuram and is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is built from sandstone masonry and has a four-storeyed Vimana in a square plan with octagonal griva and sikhara. The temple has a circumambulatory path, and the entire temple complex is enclosed by an outer wall called prakara. Vaikuntha Perumal temple The Vaikuntha Perumal temple is also located at Kanchipuram and is dedicated to lord Vishnu. The temple is built from sandstone and stands on moulded adisthana. The temple has a Vimana in a square plan with an octagonal griva and sikhara with a covered circumambulatory path. The Vaikuntha Perumal temple is considered to be the last architectural marvel of the Pallavas.

Temple architecture in Mahabalipuram

The city of Mahabalipuram, or Mamallapuram, embraces several spectacular temples. The temple complex of Mahabalipuram was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1984. The Mahabalipuram temples were erected during the seventh century under the reign of Pallava rulers.

This temple complex includes the following:

1. Ratha temples:

   

   also known as Panch Ratha or Pandav Ratha, are considered one of the earliest rock-cut temples in India. They include – Dharmaraj Ratha, Bhima Ratha, Arjuna Ratha, Nakula and Sahdeva Ratha and Draupadi Ratha.

2. Rock-cut caves: the rock-cut Caves include – Varaha Cave Temple, Krishna Cave Temple, Panchpandava Cave Temple and Mahishasuramardini Mandapam.
3. Open a rock relief: One of the most prominent sculptures of the Mahabalipuram complex is Descent of the Ganges. It is also known as Arjun’s Penance or Bhagirath’s Penance.
4. Shore Temple complex comprises three temples enclosed within a compound wall studded with images of Nandi and Varaha of Shiva. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It also contains the sculpture of Ananthashayana Vishnu on one of the three temples.

Chola Temple Architecture

South Indian temple architecture reached its zenith under the reign of the Chola rulers. Under the patronage of Chola rulers, hundreds of temples were built in South India. Compared to the style of architecture, it was a continuation of Pallava architecture with some variations. The cholas had their empire all over Tamil Nadu and the peripheral regions of Andhra, Karnataka and Kerela.

The cholas (5th-13th centuries) had their empire all over Tamil Nadu and the peripheral regions of Andhra, Karnataka and Kerela. The Chola temples have some elements similar to the Pallava and Chalukya architectural traditions.

Chola temples are considered in three phases.

1. The first phase, or the early Chola phase, has the temples, namely Sundaresvara, Vijayalaya, Colesvaram and the Koranganatha.
   • The early Chola temples have square vimana with ardha-mandapa in the front.
   • The main temple is surrounded by eight sub-shrines known as asta-parivaralya or eight-family shrines.
2. In the second phase, the architecture reached its zenith under the ruler Rajaraja I and his son Rajendra I.
   • The temples were adorned with rich sculptural embellishments.
   • The Brhadisvara temple is one of these temples at Tanjavur dedicated to lord Shiva and built of large granite stones.
   • It has the tallest vimana of 66m through sixteen storeys, and each storey carries hara elements.
   • The vimana is crowned by a huge monolithic “cupola” with stupi or finial.
   • The mula-prasada has an antrala or vestibule with flights of steps or sopana.
   • There is a maha mandapa and detached Nandi-mandapa in its front, which is a later addition.
   • The temple has two storied circumambulatory paths.
3. In the third phase of Chola temples, the plan became more complex.
   • Besides the gopurams, additional pillared mandapas were built within the temple complex.
   • Some of them are in the shape of a ratha or wheeled chariot drawn by elephants and horses.
   • Worshipping of Surya is evident in this period as the shrine Suryanar at Tirumangalakkudi may be dated (1075-1120) to the period of Cholas.
   • The temple is built of stones and bricks.
   • The Airavatesvara temple at Darasuram is stated as a “sculptor’s dream re-lived in stone”.

Examples of Chola Temple Architecture

The ‘Great Living Chola temples’ refers to the three temples constructed by the imperial Cholas during the 11th and 12th centuries. Some of the prominent examples of Chola temple architecture are –

Brihadeshwara temple at Tanjore:

The temple was built by Raja Raja 1 to take Shiva bhakti and Tamil culture to its zenith. The temple was constructed by Raja Raja 1 from 1003 AD to 1010 AD.

We can witness a complete development of Dravidian architecture in Brihadeshwara Temple.

• The temple was built on the ground without any raised platform.
• It is made up of granite with the ‘puzzle technique’. e. without any use of mortar.
• The Garbhagriha of the Temple is hollow from the inside, and there are no pillars or architectural features inside.
• However, with time, the future rulers of South India added some other features to the existing Brihadeshwara temple. For example, Nayaka rulers erected the statue of Nandi on Temple premises, Marathas incorporated several paintings on the walls of the temple, etc.
• Due to its colossal size, it is also called ‘Dakshina Meru’ (Southern mountain).
• Several inscriptions and sculptures have been found on the walls of Brihadeshwara temple, which give information about the times of the Chola rulers.
• The presence of the Lord Buddha image in the temple underlines the presence of Buddhism in Southern India.
• Further, there is a depiction of several mudras from the Bharatanatyam chance form, which the later rulers added.

FIG: Brihadeshwara temple at Tanjore

Gangaikondacholapuram Temple

• Almost 1000-year-old Gangaikondacholapuram Temple was built by the great emperor Rajendra 2.
• Adorned with ornate statues and intricate sculptures, this temple is a testimony of the architectural supremacy of the Chola era.

 

FIG: Gangaikondacholapuram Temple

Airavat-eshwara Temple:

The temple is devoted to Lord Shiva and was built in the 12th century by the Raja Raja 2. Along with Gangaikonda Cholapuram Temple and Brihadeshwara Temple, the trinity is known as ‘The Great Living Chola Temples’.

• The Airavatesvara temple at Darasuram is stated as a “sculptor dream re-lived in stone”.
• Here, the front mandapa is in the form of a huge chariot drawn by horses. The temple has beautiful paintings, sculptures and relief panels.
• The most unique art of this temple is the musical stone pillars just in front of the temple.
• They produce different stones when struck and have attracted people all the time.

Nayaka school of architecture:

The Nayaka school of architecture flourished during the 16th to 18th centuries AD. It is also known as the Madurai school.

• It has features similar to Dravida-style architecture but with some Islamic influence.
• The presence of Prakarms/ use corridors in the entrance, along with the roofed ambulatory passageway, is a differentiating feature.
• Gopurams, built under the Nayaka rulers, were the largest among all.
• For example, the Meenakshi Temple in Madurai has the largest Gopuram in the world. Hence, the art of Gopuram reached its peak in Nayaka style.

Conclusion:

South Indian architecture helped a lot in enriching Indian heritage and culture as a whole. The distinct features of South Indian temple architecture, as mentioned above, laid the foundation for the development of future architecture.

Some other temples, such as Padmanabhaswamy Temple Kerala, Ramanathaswamy Temple Rameswaram, Ranganathaswamy Temple Trichy, and Tirunelveli Temple at Wayanad, owe their foundation to earlier South Indian architectural style.

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