history of architecture

1. South Indian
Architecture
Submitted to:
Ar.
Kirti Varandani
Submitted by:
Akash
Bhardwaj
Sanjana
Moondra
Tanmay
Goyal
Yash

2. Evolution and Growth of the
Dravidian Architectural Language
• The rule of Chalukyas marks a great milestone in the history of
south India. (6th century)
• Was also known as the golden age of Karnataka.
• Were mostly interested in building temples.
• It has its own style of temple architecture known as Chalukyas
architecture.
• They built a no. of rock cut cave temples for lord Shiva, Vishnu
and Brahama.
• Mainly originated in Aihole and Badami and perfected in
Pattadakal and Mahakuta.

3. Hinduism
• Polytheistic religion (worship many gods and
goddesses)
• Goal is to achieve moksa--by praying, worshipping
(darsana) and giving offering to gods
• Each god has a female companion and rides on
vehicle such as bull (Nandi), lion, goose; each holds
some attributes (Siva: tridents and Vishnu: conch
shell and wheel)

4. Triad
• Brahma-God of Creator
• Vishnu-God of Preserver (has many incarnations such
as Rama and Krishna)
• Shiva-God of Destroyer (also the protector of
animals)
• Devi-goddess (e.g., Laksmi (“Good Fortune”) and
Parvati); symbolizing beauty, benevolent, and wealth
as well as power and wrath

5. Shiva as Nataraja, Lord of the Dance, Chola, 11-12th C

6. Vastu-purusa mandala
• A myth explains the symbolic diagram (mandala): the gods in
seeking to impose order on chaos, forced the primeval man,
Purusa, into a square grid, the vastu-purusa mandala, whose
basic unit is the square pada
• Hindu temple is the dwelling of the gods. It is based on the
grid systems of 64 (8x8) and 81 (9x9) squares.
• Square is the prefect shape for the ground plan.
• Priests perform ritual of consecrations which connect
between sexual rites and fertility in Hindu architecture.

7. Hindu temples
• The temple is a holy site (tirtha), where they practitioners can
perform circumambulation (pradaksina). They also perform
the pious act of gazing at the deity (darsan) and offering
prayers, flowers and food (puja). The temple is never a
meeting place for a congregation, but it came to be a focal
point of the community.
• The heart of the temple is the dark hall called garbha grha
(womb hall), where the most important icon is placed. It is the
most important area.
• Pillared halls (mandapa) and porticos were added to the
garbha grha, which was surmounted with a tower (sikhara)--
center of the universe (axis mundi).

8. Vastu-purusa mandala

9. Media and ornaments
• Many varieties: wood, brick, terracotta, and variety
of stone (e.g., schist, chlorite, marble)
• Temples required to be heavily ornamented (things
lacking in ornament were considered imperfect or
incomplete.
• Motifs: narrative reliefs, animal motifs, floral and
vegetation motifs.

12. DRAVIDIAN ARCHITECTURE
•The south India was little affected by outside invasions. It enjoyed full
freedom.
•Hence Dravidian architecture developed into its own form and
tradition.
•Temples were not only place of worship but also center of learning.
Along with elaborate religious rituals, festivals, performances of
dances, dramas based on religious theme were continued.
•Dravidians being fine craftsman ,temples were designed most elegantly
with great interest to display ornamentation and fine art that covered
every part of the temple.
•Dravidian architecture which dates back from 600 AD to 1000 AD may
broadly be divided into rock cut monuments to structural
monuments.

14. EVOLUTION OF THE GOPURAM TEMPLE
AND GROWTH OF TEMPLE CITIES
• GOPURAM IS A
MONUMENTAL
TOWER ,USUALLY
ORANTE AT THE
ENTRANCE OF ANY
TEMPLE ESPECIALLY
IN SOUTHERN INDIA.

15. • GOPURAMS ARE
EXTREMELY
BEAUTIFULLY
DECORATED WITH
SCULPTURE AND
CARVINGS AND
PAINTED WITH AVARITY
OF THEMES DERIVED
FROM THE HINDU
MYTHOLOGY.

16. SRI RANGANATHASWAMY
TEMPLE
• The Srirangam Temple is
the largest temple in
Asia and it houses the
tallest gopuram (240ft)
in the country. The
temple occupies an
area of 156 acres.

17. NANJUNDESHWARA TEMPLE
• This is known as
Dakshin Kashi or
Kashi of South.
• Its height is 122ft.
• It is the smallest
gopuram

23. ARCHITECTURAL STYLE
• Also known as Dravidian Style of architecture.
• Temples with pyramid shaped towers
• Elements
– The porches or Mantapas, which always cover and precede
the door leading to the cell.
– Gate-pyramids, Gopuras, which are the principal features in
the quadrangular enclosures that surround the more notable
temples. Gopuras are very common in dravidian temples.
– Pillared halls (Chaultris or Chawadis) are used for many
purposes and are the invariable accompaniments of these
temples.
– Usually has a tank called the Kalyani or Pushkarni – to be
used for sacred purposes or the convenience of the priests –
dwellings for all the grades of the priesthood are attached
to it, and other buildings for state or convenience
• Constructed of sandstone, soapstone or granite

24. • Influences from different periods:
– PALLAVA
• Pallava architecture are the rock- cut of temples at
Mahabalipuram
• Towered sanctuary and mandapa (columned hall preceding
the sanctuary)
– CHOLA
• Rising pyramid towers crowned with dome-like roofs.
• Sculptures and paintings adorn the walls.
• Bronze sculptures of this era are the finest in southern
India
– HOYSALA
• Complicated plans with numerous angled projections
• Columns are lathe-turned or are multi-faceted
– VIJAYNAGARA
• Concentric series of rectangular enclosure walls with
the gopuras (towered gateways) in the middle of each side
• Because of the heavy rainfall, the temples here were
roofed with sloping tiers of metal or Terra cotta tiles

25. DRAVIDIAN TEMPLES

26. DURGA TEMPLE,
AIHOLE

27. Durga temple
• Aihole - Small village on the banks of river malaprabha, 125 temples.
• Was roughly built between 7th and 8th century.
• The architecture of the temple is predominantly Dravida with Nagara
style also is used in certain areas
• An incomplete tower perches on the roof above the sanctuary.
• Name refers to the godess and at one time was used as a military
outpost.
• Not known to which deity the temple was originaaly dedicated. Has
its entrance in the east.
• The temple’s unusual form is thought to intimate the earlier Buddhist
chaitya’s hall.
• An inner wall is provided, a colonnaded corridor runs around the
temple enveloping the shrine which allows parikrama.
• Coloumns are decorated with couple structures.
• Intricate lattice windows and riot of carvings is provided on the walls
and ceilings.

28. Ceiling articulation:
• The medallion depicts a lotus pond, a school of fish encircled by lotus
plants, converges radially to a central nub.
• A naga king, with his body encoiled in a circle is accompanied by
female attendants. In his right hand he carries a garland and in his left
hand he has a offering platter.

30. LAD KHAN TEMPLE,
AIHOLE

31. LAD KHAN TEMPLE, AIHOLE
• Was built around 450 AD and got its name from a muslim prince who
converted it into a residence.
• Is located close to Durga temple.
• Special feature is starts with a rectangular structure and end on a
square structure.
• Unusual plan. The temple is approached by a porch with 12 pillars.
The porch fronts a square mandapa. In the centre of it a nandi faces
the interior shrine and a rooftop shrine is positioned over the centre
of the mandapa.
• Plane square shaft pillars and have a bracket capital with neck and
wave moulding.
• On the roof a square aedicule has the reliefs of Vishnu, surya and
devi.
• Disproportionate structures.

32. • Windows were filled with lattice work in the northern style and the
sanctum was added later on.
• North, south and east side have windows for light.
• The main shrine has a shivalinga along with nandi.
• Above the centre of the hall facing the sanctum, another smaller
sanctum is built with images carved on the outer wall.
Roofing:
• Roofed with huge slabs of stones which are almost flat and are
inclined to permit runoff.
• Carried on pillars and corbels in imitation of a wood frame structure.
• Stone battens between the stones make it watertight.

34. RATHAS,
Mahabalipuram

35. RATHAS
RATHAS are small shrines carved out of a monolithic
rock. In general Ratha is known as chariot used for
carrying the image of the deity during religious
procession. But here in Pallava style it commonly
refers to a monolithic shrine which contains all the
essential features of a temple including domed
storey to shikhara.

36. • There are series of 7 monolithic Rathas ,chiseled out of big
boulders at Mahablipuram.
• The five rathas are known as Panch Pandav rathas after the
5 sons of Pandu, king of Hastinapur.
• These are Dharmaraja, Bhima, Arjuna ,Nakula and Sahdev
Rathas.
• There is also a Draupadi’s Rathas, named after a common
wife of five Pandava brothers.

37. Draupadi’s Rathas
• Draupadi’s Ratha is the smallest and
well finished .it is entirely rock cut
and stands on a square plinth of 3.5
m and has a vaulted roof, evidently
derived from the hut with a straw
roof.
•It is 6 m high.
•In the Ratha the image of Draupadi is
enshrined as a goddess of Lakshmi.
•There are monolithic carving of lion
on Its west faces whereas that of
Nandi or Shiva’s Bull on the east face
of this Ratha.

38. Arjun’s Rathas
• Arjun’s Ratha lies to the south of Draupadi’s Rathas.
• It is planned like Buddhist vihara. Measuring 3.5m x3.5m and rising to
a height of 6.6 m .
• Its shikhara(Vimana) is built in four tiers containing little heads set in
the horse-shoe shaped arches
which are characteristics.

39. Bhima ’s Rathas
• It sands on rectangular platform measuring 13m x 7.6m and Vimana
rises to a height of 8m.
• The approach is through a double row of carved columns.
• It has a pillared gallery running all around the roof which is like the
Buddhist vault.

41. Dharmaraja ’s Rathas
• It is carved similar to Arjuna Ratha and is the tallest.
• It stands on the plan of 8mx9m and vimana rises to a height of 12 m
in four storey's.

42. Nakula and Sahadeva ’s Rathas
• The Ratha is based on ‘Chaitya Hall’ of Buddhist temple with an
apsidal end on the south side and double pillared portico on the
north side.
• Its plinth measures 5.5m 3.35m and rises to a ht of 5m in four tiers.
• The roof is elaborately carved.

44. Plan of Arjuna Rath
Plan of
Nakula
Sahdeva
Rath
Plan of Dharmaraja Rath
Plan of Bhima Rath

45. GANESHA RATHA

46. SHORE TEMPLE AT MAHABALIPURAM

47. SHORE TEMPLE AT
MAHABALIPURAM
• It is believed that there were seven magnificent temples what are
known as the seven pagodas, built near the sea shore.
• But the only survivor is the shore temples. It was originally
constructed during the 7th century and later it was Narasimha
Varman II, (Rajasimha) who completed the skilled work in his rule.
• This is one of the oldest of the south Indian Temples which were
structural temples constructed in the natural Dravidian style.
• This shore temple has gained popularity and tourists gather here
because it has been listed among the world heritage sites of the
UNESCO.
• The temple is full of designs made by carvings.

48. • There are three temples of which two Shiva Temples face east and
west respectively.
• The other one is the Vishnu Temple.
• The Vishnu temples were built by Narasimha Varman I and the other
two were built by Narasimha Varman II.
• One can find the beautifully carved twin Dwarka Palaks (gate keepers)
at the entrance of the east facing Shiva Temples.
• On both sides of the temple inside are the marvelous sculptures of
Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu with their better halves.
• The top part of the Shivalinga figure inside the temple is found
damaged.
• There are sculptures of Somaskanda - lord Shiva with his better half,
Parvati, and his sons, Skanda and Ganesha are found on the near
wall. Apart from Lord Shiva’s sculpture, one can find the sculptures of
Narasimha and Goddess Durga also.

50. • The central shrine is in the form of a rectangle.
• It has a magnificent statue of lord Vishnu which is known as Sthala
Shayana Perumal or Ananthasayana which means sleeping Vishnu.
• The peculiarity about this particular temple is - Vishnu reclines on
the floor listening silently the sounds of names. The figure of Vishnu
is found in segments which are to be looked through various doors.
• The other sculpture is portrayed in such a way that Lord Vishnu
seated in mount Garuda helping Gajendra, the elephant, found in the
southern wall and the northern wall is the portrayals from the life of
lord Krishna.
• The grand temple is surrounded by mandapas and compound walls.
• There is a rock-cut of a lion rode by two young women. The lion has a
small cut, a square shaped cut in its belly.
• There is also a carving of a buffalo demon running with a stick in his
hand, located in the northern side.

53. KAILASH TEMPLE, Ellora

54. •The Kailasa or Kailasanatha temple is one of the
largest rock cut ancient Hindu temples located
in Ellora, Maharashtra, INDIA.
•Plan of the Kailasa approximates in area that of the
Parthenon at Athens.
•In its plan and general arrangements the Kailasa bears a
certain resemblance to the Virupaksha temple at
Pattadakal.
•This is the only temple in the world where a mountain cut
and this is called Cut out moduler technique used in
kailasa temple.

55. KAILASH TEMPLE PLAN

56. •A mandapa, 26 feet square and two storeys
in height.
•It has been carved in front of the court. The
lower storey of the mandapa is solid, and the
upper one is connected with the gopura and
with the temple by bridges cut in the rock.
•Figures of lions and fat dwarfs are placed on
the roofs of the gopura, of the Nandi
mandapa, and of the great hall itself.
• They stand about 4 feet high, and are
executed in the same bold style as the figures
of lions and elephants round the base of the
temple.

58. SECTION

59. MAHABHARATA PANEL
• On the northern wall of the
sabha-mandapa has been
carved with the scenes
from Mahabharata. These
panels are in seven rows.
The lower two rows depict
the childhood exploits of
Krishna and the above five
rows scenes of Arjuna's
penance, the Kirata-Arjuna
fight, and episodes from
the Mahabharata war.
•

60. RAMAYANA PANEL
• The Ramayana panel in the
southern wall of the sabha-
mandapa is portrayed a number
of scenes again in seven rows.
The scenes of Rama's departure
from Ayodhya, Bharata trying to
persuade him to return. In
continuation, the forest scenes
of Shurpanakha, depiction of
abduction of Sita by Ravana.
Rama meeting Hanumana,
Hanumana crossing the ocean to
reach Lanka, the Ashokavana,
the scene in the court of Ravana,
and the last row the monkey
army building a bridge of stones
to reach Lanka

63. • Hoysala Architecture style
• Built on the banks of
the Yagachi River
• Main entrance to the
complex is crowned by
a Rajagopura
(superstructure over
entrance)
• Chennakesava temple is
chloritic schist, more
commonly known as
(soapstone) or potstone
• Temple is
ekakuta vimana design
(single shrine) of 10.5 m by
10.5 m size
• The vimana (shrine) is at

64. • Two
main sthambha (pillar)
exist here.
• The pillar facing the
main temple,
the Garuda (eagle)
• Pillar on the right,
the Deepa
sthambha (pillar with
lamp)
• It has three entrances
and their doorways
have decorated
sculptures
called dvarapalaka (doo

65. • There are some sixty
large sculptures of
deities from
both Vaishnava and Sh
aiva faiths
• Rich diversity about
the pillar styles here.
• Forty eight pillars are
unique and the many
ceiling sections are well
decorated
• Four pillars
bear madanikas (Salabh
anjika–celestial
damsels)

66. CHENNA KESHWA TEMPLE,
SOMNATHPUR

67. • Hoysala Architecture style
• The ceiling of
the mantapa (hall) is
supported by lathe turned
pillars
• Three shrines
– One shrine has the image
of the god Keshava
– The other two shrines
house images of
Janardhana and
Venugopala (all three
images are forms of the
Hindu god Vishnu)
• Intricate carvings of
jewellery, such as pendants,
necklaces, waistbands and
rings and of woman sporting
hair styles that were in
vogue

68. • Names of many architects
and sculptors are etched
on stone
• High walled enclosure and
the entrance to the
complex is through a
porch with tall lathe-
turned pillars
• Material used for the
temple
is soapstone (Green
schist)
• Symmetrical architecture
• Built by the famous
architect and
sculptor Ruvari
Malithamma.

69. THANK
YOU!