Dravidian Temple architecture

DRAVIDIAN TEMPLE ARCHITECTURE Ar. Angel Roselin 1

DRAVIDIAN TEMPLE ARCHITECTURE
Capstone
• Location in Tamil county known as Dravidadesha, in Sangam Age. The architectural style in
this region is said to be Dravidian architecture.
• Gopuram: - Entrance Gateway
• Mandapa :- Pillared structures
• Garbagriha : Sanctum where deity is placed
• Vimana: Pyamidal structure above the Garbagriha.
I DRAVIDIAN TEMPLE ARCHITECTURE I Ar. Angel Roselin 2

DRAVIDIAN TEMPLE ARCHITECTURE
• Location in Tamil county known as
Dravidadesha, in Sangam Age. The
architectural style in this region is
said to be Dravidian architecture.
• It is divided into 5 phases:
• a. Pallavas (600-900 CE)
• b. Cholas (900-1150 CE)
• c. Pandyas (1100 -1350 CE)
• d. Rayalas, Hampi, Vijayanagara
(1350 – 1565 CE)
• e. Nayakas, Madurai (from 1600 CE)

PALLAVA ARCHITECTURE (600 -900 CE)
• Pallavas in the south were the officers and
administrators posted by the Saatvahan
kings in south. After the decline of Saatvahan
dynasty , they proclaimed themselves kings
of southern region around Kaanchi.
• When the Chalukyas executed shrines in
Badami, Pallava dynasty built the first cave
temple at Mandangapattu of Brahamanical
trinity.
• Kanchipuram developed as a trade centre
for silks, spices and gems. King Narasimha
Varman I developed the seaport town of
Mamallapuram, also called
Mahabalipuram. Trade flourished from here
to the cities of Java, Sumatra, Cambodia,
Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam and Malaysia.

PALLAVA ARCHITECTURE (600 -900 CE)
• Pallava architecture had two phases:-
• Phase-I-Rock cut
• Mahendra Group-Mandapas( Pillared Halls)
• Mamalla Group- Mandapas & Rathas (Monolithic
Temples)
• Eg: Trimurti Mandapam , Varaha Mandapam
,Rathas (seven Pagodas)
• Phase –II-Structural
• Rajasimha Group & Nandivarman Group-Temples
• Eg: Shore Temple , Kailasanatha Temple,
Kanchipuram
Rathas, Mammalapuram
Shore Temple, Mammalapuram

PALLAVA ARCHITECTURE : EVOLUTION OF DRAVIDIAN ORDER

MONOLITH SHRINES IN MAMMALAPURAM

MANDAPAS
• Examples of Mandapas are Varaha Mandapa and Mahishasura Mandapa.
• The caves are cut out of Pink granite. It’s a columned hall with 10 pillars.
CHAITYA ARCH
MOTIF
PILLARS 2.1 M HIGH WITH LION
PILLARS WITH 0.3- 0.6 DIAMETER
ADISTHANA
CHAMFERED
OCTAGONAL
SECTION IN
THE MIDDLE.
CAPITAL IS AN IMMENSE AND HEAVY
BRACKET - IMITATING WOOD BEAM
AND BRACKET.
BOTTOM PART IS MADE INTO A
LION MOTIF.

RATHAS
• In 7th CE Pallava rulers constructed a rock cut temple near Kaanchi at Mammalapuram.
• These rock cut temples are called as Rathas (chariot). Ratha is a chariot for taking
processions with the deity. Here, rathas are a series of monolithic stone shrines. Existing rock
boulders were cut and made into the form of Rathas. A cluster comprising 7 similar rathas are
called “Seven pagodas”.
• There are five Pandava Rathas.
• Dharmaraja ratha
• Arjuna ratha
• Bhima ratha
• Sahadeva ratha
• Draupathi ratha

RATHAS, MAMMALAPURAM
• There are two types of Rathas:-
• Vihara type: These are square in plan and contain a solid cubical portion in the centre with
a surrounding narrow passage containing front pillars. Over this the pyramidal vimanas rises.
• Best examples: a. Dharmaraja ratha b. Arjuna ratha
DHARMARAJA RATHA
• The three storied Dharmaraj
Pagoda, 36 ft. in height, has a
square plan with shallow foyers
on all sides.
• A Pradakshina path has been
hewed out at each story by
making a parapet detached from
the subsequent upper story.

DHARMARAJA RATHA
THREE STOREYED WITH
36 FT IN HEIGHT.
THE TWIN SHRINED
STRUCTURE HAS ITS
UPPER STORIES
SUPPORTED ON
COLUMNS NOT ENTIRELY
SUPPORTED ON
COLUMNS BELOW
CUPOLA ON OCTAGONAL
BASE RESTS ON
UPPERMOST STORY OF
THE STRUCTURE.
CHAITYA ARCH

ARJUNA RATHA
• Dedicated to Shiva and west facing with a terrace
supported on elephants. No inscriptions or figures inside
the shrine . The eastern wall is carved with a double
Dwarka-Palaks.
OCTOGONAL BASE DOME
TWO STOREYED STRUCTURE SQUARE IN PLAN
COMMON TERRACE/ PITHA SUPPORTED ON ELEPHANT.
MUKHAMANDAPA WITH PILLARS
GARBHAGRIHA WITH THE STATUES OF DIETIES IN RELIEF AND SHOWN
MOUNTED ON THEIR VEHICLES BULL AND LION, CARVED OUT OF
ADJACENT ROCKS

• There are two types of Rathas:-
• Chaitya type rathas: These rathas follow the design of Chaitya halls, oblong in plan and rise to
2 or more storeys. Each has a keel or barrel roof with a Chaitya arch gable end.
1. Nakula- sahadeva ratha is apsidal type.
2. Bhima ratha
NAKULA- SAHADEVA RATHA
BARREL ROOF
HAS A DWITALA
VIMANA (TWO
STOREYED).
MUKHAMANDAPA IN
FRONT
• The ratha face west
and dedicated to
Lord Indra.
• It has apsidal plan
resembling the
Chaitya hall in
Buddhist
architecture.
I DRAVIDIAN TEMPLE ARCHITECTURE I Ar. Angel Roselin
14

BHIMA RATHA
• Dedicated to Shiva and the temple is incomplete due to obscure reasons.
• Two-storeyed, upper level is not functional.
• Very few sculptures and no inscriptions
• There are four pillars and two pilasters, three other sides are incomplete
OBLONG PLAN
TWO STOREYED BUILDING WITH EKATALA VIMANA BARREL
WITH VAULT ROOF.
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DRAUPADI RATHA
• Dedicated to goddess Durga, face west.
• The ratha is located on the terrace of arjun ratha.
• The smallest and simplest and most finished
ratha.
• It is merely Parnasala (thatched hut).The roof
form resembles the curvilinear thatch
construction shown supported on posts and
beams.
• Its base is carved with figures of animals of lion
and elephants, with Shalabhanjikas.
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OTHER SCULPTURES
• The bull faces west (on the other side, the lion faces
north and the elephant faces south).

SHORE TEMPLE, MAHABALIPURAM

SHORE TEMPLE, MAHABALIPURAM (700CE)
• Non availability of
quality live rocks on the
sea shores suitable for
rock hewed structures
compelled to switch over
to masonry temples.
• The dressed granite
stone temple was
constructed at
Mammalapuram by
Narasimhavarman –
second.
• The complex comprises of
three shrines. Of these
shrines, largest is
Kshatriyasimheshwara
facing the sea on east.
ENCLOSED WITHIN A
MASSIVE COMPUND WALL.

SHORE TEMPLE, MAHABALIPURAM (700CE)
LARGE SHRINE CALLED KSHATRIYASIMHESHWARA FACING THE SEA
AT EAST
SMALL SHRINE RAJSIMHESVARA FACING WEST
SMALL WESTERN VIMANA IS SQUARE IN PLAN UPTO GRIVA AND IS
THREE STOREYED WITH HARAS OF KUTAS AND SALAS OVER THE FAÇADE
OF ARDH MANADAPA AND ALL ROUND OVER SECOND STOREY ABOVE.
FOUR STOREYED VIMANA TOPPED WITH CHALASA. THE VIMANA IS 60
FT HIGH AND STANDS ON A 50 FT SQUARE BASE.
SPACE AROUND TEMPLE FOR CIRCUMBULATION
ADISTHANA
BOTH THE SHRINES ARE NOT ALIGNED SYMMETRICALLY

SHORE TEMPLE, MAHABALIPURAM
DETAILS
• Outer walls are divided by pilasters into
bays, the lower part being carved into a
series of rearing lions.
COPING OF THE WALLS WITH FIGURES OF
KNEELING BULLS
PILLARS ARE RAMPANT LION PILASTERS, ALSO
CALLED LEOGRIFF MOTIF
HARA OF FOUR KARNA KUTAS, FOUR BHADRA
SALAS AND EIGHT PANAJARAS.

CHOLA ARCHITECTURE (600 -900 CE)
• Cholas are one of the three dynasties that
arose in the south of the Deccan plateau and
Saatyahan Kingdom. In second millenium,
Chola was the strongest empire.
• Capital: Tiruchirapally – Tanjore- Kumbakonam
• Chola cities were planned with temples at
the center. Around 2300 temples were built on
the banks of the river Kaveri. Great
advancement in Dravidian art and architecture.
• Examples:
• 1. Brihadeswara temple, Thanjavur , 1010 CE
• 2. Temple at Gangaikonda, Cholapuram , 1033 CE
• 3. Airavateswara Temple at Darasuram,
Kumbakonam, 1200 CE

BRIHADESWARA TEMPLE, TANJORE

BRIHADESWARA TEMPLE, TANJORE (1010CE)
• Completed in year 1010 CE by King Rajaraja Chola I, the great.
• The temple complex measuring 250 ft x500 ft is surrounded by a moat on all sides.
24

BRIHADESHWARA TEMPLE, TANJORE (1010CE)
• Brihadeeswara Temple, a Marvelous landmark in South
India | Sancharam | CHETTINAD | Safari TV - YouTube
THREE STOREYED GOPURAM
STRUCTURE IN SOUTH EAST.
SQUARE GARBAGRIHA WITH 45FT
SIDE AND 9 FT CIRCUAMBULATORY
AROUND IT.
DOUBLE COLLONADE ALONG THE
PERIMETEER WITH SHRINES OF
LESSER IMPORTANCE.
NANDHI PAVILION
TEMPLE COMPLEX IS
ORIENTED IN EAST WEST
DIRECTION
CENTRAL COURT
25

• A dancer's dialogue with Tanjavur Brihadeeswarar Temple Architecture - YouTube
FOURTEEN STOREYED VIMANA OF A HOLLOW PYRAMIDAL TOWER OF 190 FT HEIGHT.
A LARGE MONOLITHIC DOME ESTIMATED TO BE 80 TONES PLACE ON THE VIMANA.
DOUBLE WALLS BUILT TO SUPPORT LOAD
THE WALLS ARE DIVIDED INTO TWO STOREYS WITH A HORIZONTAL CORNICES, HAVING NICHES
WITH STATUES FRAMED BY PILASTERS.
26

PLINTH MOULDED AND ENGRAVED WITH INSCRIPTION.
27

PANDYAN ARCHITECTURE (1100 -1350 CE)
• Style: Dravidian Style (South Indian style)
• Capital: Madurai
• In this period, more importance was given to
the
a. Additional shrines
b. High enclosing walls
c. Imposing entrance called Gopuram.
28

• After the Cholas- architecture was at its peak with
the concentration being on the Vimana.
• Considerable political changes were taking place.
The most threatening force from the north -
the all-conquering hordes of Islam.
• This threat made the Pandya rulers hurriedly
throw up makeshift battlements around their
cities and the heart of their towns -the
temples. This called for modifying the Temple to
a Fortress which was unacceptable. To change the
outer covering, i.e. the form of the temple itself
would be nothing short of sacrilege.
• The solution was hence to raise the gates of the
fortress to the level of architecture. This was the
genesis of the famous gopurams, or entrance
gateways of the temple cities of the south.
29

DRAVIDIAN ORDERS
• Pillars and capital saw two changes
• The Idaie or flower motif was given a scalloped edge- foliated
and exquisite appearance.
• Alteration of the Bracket overhanging the bracket into a
moulded pendent or a drop.
• The Palagai was altered in proportion.
Abacus 2” thick, 4’ 6” feet dia
30

GOPURAM
•The temple consisted of a series of concentric walls enclosing
open courtyards or Prakarams, approached through high
watch towers (gopuram). The walls were purely utilitarian with
no aesthetic value. The tall gateways were given embellishment
•Plan:
•A building oblong in plan.
•Entranced by a passageway at the centre of its longer side.
•On either sides there are dark rooms with steep staircases
enclosed.
• The doorway is a solid paneled door of two shutters, made
with solid wood and metal sheets.
31

GOPURAM
•Cubical base, pyramidal
portion, crowned by a barrel
vault and row of pinnacles.
•Lower storeys made with stone
for support and upper storeys
with brick and plaster.
•Vimana has diminishing tiers,
and raised above 46 m.
•Angle from the vertical is 25
degree.
•Width of the apex is
approximately half of the
base.
RECTANGULAR CUBICAL BOTTOM
CONTAINING ENTRANCE DOORS.
TRUNCATED PYRAMIDAL PART
RISING TIER BY TIER OVER THE
CUBICAL BASE.
BARREL VAULT ABOVE.
ROW OF PINNACLES.
32

GOPURAM
• There existed two types as to the form of the Gopuram with respect to the appearance and
the surface treatment
TYPE 1
• Straight
sloping sides
• Firm and rigid
contours
• Geometric
form where
the treatment
is
architectural.
• Pillars and
pilasters were
used.
TYPE 2
• Curved and concave sides
• Creating an upward sweep
• Surface treatment is of Florid
nature
• Figure subjects predominate
• Every portion is plastered
thick with images
• The roof is spectacular with
cornuted gables
• The ridge line breaks into a
row of tall pinnacles forming a
climax to the fretted and
pullulating mass below
33

GOPURAM
Detail:
• The structure is provided with rectangular
void openings that reduce weight, reduce
wind pressure and allows air to flow
through it.
• Polychromatic sculptures detailed.
Roof:
• Elongated roof with gable ends.
• The vaulted and gabled roof is similar to
the keel roof of the Chaitya hall.
• Metal Khalasas placed in a row on top in
between the gables.
34

MEENAKSHI AMMAN TEMPLE,
MADURAI
35

MEENAKSHI AMMAN TEMPLE, MADURAI
• The Meenakshi Sundareswarar temple (twin
temples) is one of the biggest temples in
India.
• The original temple built by Kulasekara
Pandyan was in ruins. The plan for the
current temple structure was laid by
Viswanath Naik and was completed by
Tirumalai Nayakar.
• The Aadi, Chittirai, Maasi, and Veli streets
surround the temple. The Madurai city was
planned based on caste hierarchy.
• Both temples are adorned with exquisite
carvings & sculptures and gold plated
vimanams.
• The temple has 2 main sanctuaries
dedicated to Shiva and his consort
Meenakshi
36

• Watch: Meenakshi temple, Marvels of Madurai
THE OUTER WALL IS ALMOST A SQUARE MEASURING 850’ X 725’ WITH 4
LARGE GATEWAYS TOWARDS THE CENTER OF THE 4 SIDES.
PLAN OF 225’ X 150’ ENTERED BY 2 GOPURAMS THE ONE ON THE WEST
BEING LARGER THEN THE EAST.
SANCTUM SANCTORUM – SHIVA
POOL OF GOLDEN LILIES: LIES IN FRONT OF THE MEENAKSHI
SHRINERECTANGULAR 165’ X 120’
1000 PILLAR HALL 240’ x 250’. THE INTERIOR CONSISTS OF A CENTRAL
AISLE WITH A DOUBLE ROW OF COLUMNS
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PALLAVA ARCHITECTURE CHOLA ARCHITECTURE PANDYA ARCHITECTURE
• Masonry of granite
constructions
• Gopuram became enlarged
with high enclosure walls.
• Chola abandoned it and
used yazhi at base or kudus
in other parts of the pillar.
• Structural temples made of
stone.
• Gopuram was given more
importance. They were
higher and given
prominence as a symbol of
security.
• Monolithic temples and
structural temples of stone.
• Gopurams in pallava
dynasties were comparatively
dwarfed.
• Pallava used yali or lion motif
at the base of the pillar
39

BIBLIOGRAPHY
• Brown, Percy. Indian Architecture (Buddhist and Hindu Periods). Bombay: D.B.
Taraporevala, 1959.
• Sanjeev Maheshwari, Rajeev Garg. Ancient Indian architecture ( From blossom to bloom).
CBS Publishers and distributors. pvt. ltd., 2018.
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Dravidian Temple architecture

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