1. Parts of Vimana 2. Development of Pillars, Corbels and Kudus 3. Layout and Elevation of Temples 4. Types of Vimana 5. Evolution of Gopuras

1. Architectural Components of Temples in Tamil Nadu
By
S. Kannan, Asst. Professor, Dept of History, Annamalai University,
Deputed to Raja Doraisingam Government Arts College, Sivagangai

2. Details of two storeyed Vimana (shatanga vimana)
}1.Adhisthana
with Upapida
}2.Pada (I Tala)
}3.Prastara
II Tala
} 4.Griva
}5.Sikara
} 6.Stupi

3. Details of two
storeyed Vimana
(shatanga vimana)

4. Architectural components of the first tala
I Tala

5. Components of the second tala and superstuctural parts of the Vimana

6. Details of Modern Vimana

7. Evolution of the Pillar

8. Sculptural pillar (Kantacirpa kal)

9. Evolution of the Corbel (Pothigai)

10. Evolution of the Kudu

11. Ground plan of a temple with five prakaras

12. Ground plan of a Siva temple
1.Vimana in the centre at which is found
the sanctuary or garbhagraham in the
middle of which is found the lingam
2. Mandapam
3. Nandi
4. Dvajastambam
5. Bali pitam
6. Eastern Gopuram
7. Kalyana mandapam
8. Sanctuary of Nataraja
9. Sanctuary of Parvati (the sanctuary of
Parvati ought to be placed in front of
the gopuram at south)
10. Sanctuary of Subramanya
11. Sanctuary of Pillayar
12. Tank
13. Surrounding wall
14. South gopuram
15. Ter
16. Ladder with steps to mount car

13. Cross section of the Vimana, Brhadisvara Temple, Thanjavur

14. Cross section of the Vimana, Brhadisvara Temple, Thanjavur

15. Types of vimana based on the shape of the sikara
• Dravida
• Nagara
• Vesara
• Sala

16. Types of vimana based on the talas (storeys)
From single storeyed to 13 storeyed (eka, dvi, tri, chatur
and pancha tala vimanas)

17. Types of vimana based on number of components or certain
additions in the vimana
1. Shatanga vimana 2. Ashtanga vimana

18. Other types
Gajaprishta vimana

19. Gopuras
Brhadisvara Temple, Thanjavur, Chola

20. Meenakshi Sundaresvara Temple, Madurai, Pandya

21. Ekambaresvara Temple, Kanchipuram, Vijayanagar Nayak

22. Some Aspects of Kadathur Arjunesvara Temple
Amaravathi river flowing on the north and eastern side of Arjunesvara temple

23. Map showing course of Amaravathi river in Kadathur region and
the location of Arjunesvara temple

24. Rich paddy fields and coconut groves around Arjunesvara temple

25. Three storeyed gopura of Arjunesvara temple

26. Interior view of Arjunesvara temple

27. Interior view of Arjunesvara temple

28. Four storeyed vimana of Arjunesvara temple

29. Basement of Arjunesvara temple

30. Wall and pilasters of Arjunesvara temple

31. Capital parts of pilaster of Arjunesvara temple

32. Prastara of Arjunesvara temple

33. Three storeyed vimana of
Gomathi Amman shrine in
Arjunesvara temple

34. Thank You