South Hindu Architecture (Dravidian Style )

Lecture -8 (upto Vijayanagar Style)

 The chalukyan king Vikramaditya shifted capital to yet another city
PATTADKAL
During this time period, there was the beginning of South Indian Style or
DRAVIDIAN STYLE OF ARCHITECTURE
Characteristics of Dravidian Architecture or south Hindu
Architecture…….
Initially, the principal spaces were:
ARDHAMANDAPA, MANDAPA, GARBHA GRIHA AND PRADAKSHINA PATH
It has garbha Griha (Worm House) or cella where deity image is housed
Presence of Mandapa or Open Porch
Shrine containing Garbha Griha is crowned with tapering Vimana………formed
by a horizontal system of storeyed tower
While Mandapa with a flatter pyramidal covering
Construction- Trabeated system
No Arch and mortar was used
 The chalukyan king Vikramaditya shifted capital to yet
another city PATTADKAL

During this time period, there was the beginning of South Indian Style or
DRAVIDIAN STYLE OF ARCHITECTURE

Characteristics of Dravidian Architecture or south Hindu

Architecture…….
ENCLOSED ambulatory space around and outside the cella
Later on addition of many pillared mandapa for various rituals, dramatic
performance, devotional dance and songs etc.
Further addition was courtyard called PRAKARAS with high gate called Gopuram
In the course of time number of Gopurams were added
Tank and well (PUSKARNIS) for ritual bath and drinking purpose
Dwellings for priests with the courtyard
Dravidians being fine craftsmen, temples were designed most elegantly with great
interest to display ornamentation
Sculpture skill seems more important rather than engineering
Dravidian Style can be categorized as per principal kingdoms
South Hindu Style

1. PALLAVAS (AD 600-900)

2. CHOLA (AD 900-1150)
3. PANDYA(AD 1150-1350)
4. VIJAYANAGAR (AD 1350-1565)
5. MADURA (FROM 1600 AD)
 PALLAVAS (AD 600-900)

Pallavas- pioneer and laid the foundation of Dravidian style

Made their capital at Kanchipuram (Canjeeveram/Golden city) near Palar
River
Wholly Rock-cut (7th c AD)
Style had been developed in 2 phases
Wholly structural (8th -9th c AD)

Architectural development phase named after the name of 4 principal rulars

Mahendra group (AD 610-640)

Pillared hall/ Mandapa only Wholly Rock-cut
1st phase
Mamalla group (AD 640-690)
Mandapa and Rathas (Monolithic Temple)
 PALLAVAS (AD 600-900)

Pallavas- pioneer and laid the foundation of Dravidian style

Made their capital at Kanchipuram (Canjeeveram/Golden city) near Palar
River
Wholly Rock-cut (7th c AD)
Style had been developed in 2 phases
Wholly structural (8th -9th c AD)

Architectural development phase named after the name of 4 principal rulars

Rajsimha group (AD 690-c 800)

Temples only Wholly Structural
2nd phase
Nandivarman group (AD 800-c 900)
Temple
PALLAVAS (AD 600-900)…….Wholly Rock cut [1st Phase]

Mandapas……..an open pavillion

An excavation in the rock with the simple columned hall with one or more
cella in the back wall
About 10 Mandapas are existed at Mahabalipuram
Important are Mahishasura
Mahabalipuram,derived
Krishna Varaha
from 'Mamallapuram' is a
Dharmaraja town in
Kancheepuram district in
Approx. size…7.5m x7.5m with ht. 4-5 m the Indian state of
Pillars………..2-3m high with dia 30-60cm Tamil Nadu.
Cella…………2-3m square
Mahabalipuram Sea port, situated on granite and gneiss hill

7th century port city of the South Fortified city with water supply and drainage
Indian dynasty of the Pallavas Building on stone base
around 60 km south from the city
of Chennai in Tamil Nadu. Experimental site for free standing monolithic
structures
PALLAVAS (AD 600-900)

Rathas……..A monolithic structure

Ratha..in reality a car or chariot for the conveyance of image of deity during
religious procession
Ratha ……model of religious structure …….common at that time
Here in pallava, Ratha refers to Monolithic shrine with all essential features of
temple with domed –shikhara roof

A series of 7 monolithic rathas at Mahabalipuram (Mamalapuram)

…………..chiselled out of naturally existed big boulder…….popularly known
as SEVEN PAGODAS

7 pagodas belong to PANCHA PANDAV with DRAUPADI and GANESH

Carved out of Granite rock expressing a novel from of construction

PALLAVAS (AD 600-900)

7 Rathas (Pagodas)………….

Replica of existing wooden structure

Named after Mahabharat characters…..

Dharmaraja Ratha Bhima Ratha,

Arjuna Ratha Draupadi Ratha and
Nakul Sahadev Ratha

constructed on the style of the Buddhist viharas and chaityas.

The unfinished three-storey Dharmaraja ratha is the largest

The Draupadi ratha is the smallest, one-storeyed and has an interesting thatch-like
roof

The Arjuna and Draupadi rathas are dedicated to Shiva and Durga
respectively
 Nakul-Sahadev Ratha

Lies at the end , but out side the alignment….West of Dharmaraha Rath
Based on Buddhist chaitya hall with apsidal end at South and double pillared portico
at northern side
Plinth area (5.5m x 3.35m) and rises to a ht of 5m in 4 tiers
Roof- elaborately carved
Life size elephant
 ARJUN RATHA

Lies south of Draupadi ratha

Planned as Buddhist Vihar
(3.5m square plinth rising to a ht
of 6.6 m)
4 tiered vimana roof

DRAUPADI RATHA

Smallest, well finished, stands on 3.5m square plinth with ht of 6 m

Vaulted roof derived from thatch hot roof
Inside Image ….Laxmi goddess
 Bhim Ratha

Lies next to the Arjun ratha

Stands on rectangular plinth (13m x 7.6m) with ht 8 m
Approach through a double row of carved columns
Pillared gallery running all around the roof
Roof style reminds Buddhist vaulted roof of chaitya hall
 GANESH RATHA

Apsidal plan with addition of

rectangular pillared entrance portico
Oblong plan (8m x9m with height
12m), diminishing stories with curved
roof (Keel roof)
3 tiered roof, has pinnacle and gable
end………later developed and adopted
in GOPURAM as a very noticeable
feature
 Cupola

Miniature chaitya

DHARMARAJA RATHA

Lies next to the bhim Ratha

Similar to arjun ratha (Buddhist Vihar style) and is the tallest one
Stands on the plinth measuring 8m x9m and vimana risies to a ht of 12m in 4
storeys
Curvilinear cupola on the top
Each tier has terrace with miniature chaitya roof
PALLAVAS (AD 600-900)…….Wholly Structural [2nd Phase]

Rajsimha group (AD 690-c 800)

Temples only Wholly Structural
2nd phase
Nandivarman group (AD 800-c 900)
Temple

First example………….
The Shore Temple, Mahabalipuram….Style similar to Dharmaraja Ratha

Pallavas were sea-faring people ….so by constructing Shore Temple, they

had started to carry out religious rituals……like worshiping water
First Pallava building…..constructed in DRESSED STONE got capacity to
withstand the vagaries of salt, sea wind and has been facing wave for more
than 12 centuries
 PALLAVAS (AD 600-900)…….Wholly Structural [2nd Phase]

Shiva shrine Shiva shrine

Vishnu shrine

Three shrines enclosed within walled enclosure, with 2 Pyramidal towers over 2
shrines, dedicated to Shiva in east and Vishnu in west direction
Similar to monolithic Dharmaraja Ratha
PALLAVAS (AD 600-900)…….Wholly Structural [2nd Phase]
PALLAVAS (AD 600-900)…….Wholly Structural [2nd Phase]

Accessible from West (Vishnu

shrine)
Main shrine faces the sea while
subsidiary one face the shore. Such
arrangement was must because
during flood entry from east/ sea side
was troublesome and unapproachable
at high tide
Both have vimana (20m high) with
octagonal cupola roof
Femine looks due to slim roof
structure
Garbha Griha of main shrine houses
16 sided Shiva linga with dia. 2m
PALLAVAS (AD 600-900)…….Wholly Structural [2nd Phase]

Shiva shrine Shiva shrine

Vishnu
shrine

Vishnu temple – rectangular plan with a flat roof

Houses carved image of the god Vishnu sleeping
PALLAVAS (AD 600-900)…….Wholly Structural [2nd Phase]
PALLAVAS (AD 600-900)…….Wholly Structural [2nd Phase]

Dravidian temples – they are enclosed within an outer wall (prakaram) with a large
gateway tower known as gopuram
Rich sculptural works seen throughout the shrines, continues on the outer walls
Row of seated bulls representing nandi
PALLAVAS (AD 600-900)…….Wholly Structural [2nd Phase]

Temple court could be partially flooded by bringing complex

channels of water into basin around the cult room
To Pallava mariner, this edifice was a virtual light house
A quality example in stone workmanship of South India
 PALLAVAS (AD 600-900)…….Wholly Structural [2nd Phase]

Second Example…………
The Kailashnath Temple ( Shiva Temple), Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu

Rajshimha now attempted to build an even larger temple…….The Kailashanth

Temple
In order to enlarge the base of the temple, 58 mini rathas at the corner had
been apppended
PALLAVAS (AD 600-900)…….Wholly Structural [2nd Phase]
The Kailashnath Temple ( Shiva Temple), Kanchipuram….

Enclosed temple concept with 2

isolated blocks….
Garbagriha with its pyramidal tower
(vimana), pillared hall or Mandapa in a
rectangular walled courtyard
Parapet with cupola
later, probably on 14th century,antarala
added linking Grabagriha and Mandapa .
Repetition of rampart lion pilaster
Addition of Mahendraburmaneswore
shrine as entrance gateway >>
development towards gopuram
Granite substructure and sandstone
superstructure >> optimum use of
materials
PALLAVAS (AD 600-900)…….Wholly Structural [2nd Phase]

Third Example………… Vaikuntha perumal, Kanchipuram (715 AD)

The last great architectural achievement of pallava (Stone carver) before

arrival of Vikramadhtya II
Matured and fully integrated plan form of Pallava architecture…with less
hectic detail
Slightly larger and more spacious than previous examples
The principle parts like portico, Garbagriha, cloisters back enclosure wall
amalgated into single architectural as a whole
Main shrine (garbagriha and circumbulatary ) square in plan 90 ft (30m)
PALLAVAS (AD 600-900)…….Wholly Structural [2nd Phase]

Third Example………… Vaikuntha perumal, Kanchipuram (715 AD)

Front portion with Portico 28 ft

>> consists of interiorly 21.5ft side
>> having transverse aisles of 8 pillars
>> leads to garbagriha via transition
of Vestibule

Enclosed in a courtyard with cloistered passage around

Columns with lion motif on base of shaft
The vimana square in plan 47 ft, rises to ht of 60ft
Four terraced receding floors each with a cella and passage around
First two storeys have circumambulatory and 3rd has small balcony and
4th rises to vimana (15m square base with ht 20m) with octagonal cupola
Staircase at rear wall
Dravidian Style can be categorized as per principal kingdoms
South Hindu Style

1. PALLAVAS (AD 600-900)

2. CHOLA (AD 900-1150)
3. PANDYA(AD 1150-1350)
4. VIJAYANAGAR (AD 1350-1565)
5. MADURA (FROM 1600 AD)
CHOLA (AD 900-1150)
Chola became a powerful and more dominating dynasty among other dynasties
(Chalukyan, Pallava, Rastrakuta)during chaotic period in Tamil Nadu
Kingdom spread Ganga (North) to Celon (South)
Capital at Tanjavur
Attained its fame and prosperity in 1000 AD during the reign of Raja Chola, the
Great with its capital at Tanjavur
Early development- small size religious architecture (about 15m-18m high)
Small temples in Granite dressed stone masonry such as VIJAYALAYA
TEMPLE at Narmatamalai and Sundareswor temple at Tirukattalai

Later development-gigantic size (more than 3 times the max.achieved so far )

….was the major step in the evoloution of religious architecturein the south

Remarkable development seen after 10th century:

Koranganatha, Trichinopoly (before 950 AD)
Brihadeswar temple, Tanjore (1000 AD)
Gangaikundacholpuram (1025 AD)
Significant kings: Rajaraja , Parantaka I, Rajendra Chola
CHOLA (AD 900-1150)

Early development- Small temples in Granite dressed stone masonry such as

VIJAYALAYA TEMPLE at Narmatamalai and Sundareswor temple at Tirukattalai

Master piece – use of hard stone….based on geometry

4 storeyed with Circular Garbha Griha rising from square enclosure and ended
with circular cupola

Influenced by both Pallava and Chalukyan

CHOLA (AD 900-1150)

Lower 3 levels square, top circular, each levels separated by cornice

Faint traces of paintings on inside walls
CHOLA (AD 900-1150)

Brihadeswar temple, Tanjore (1000 AD)

Commisssioned by Chola King Rajaraja the great

Also known as Rajesvaram temple
Largest and tallest of all Indian temples

Built in grand scale :

spire – more than 3 times the max. ht achieved ever before that time
Proportionately increasing in plan of cella to suit the ever growing height of
superstructure
CHOLA (AD 900-1150)

Brihadeswar temple, Tanjore (1000 AD)

2 Gopurams in same direction

Various shrines added in Maratha and Nayak period
Temple stands within a fort, walls later added by Nayaks in 16th century
CHOLA (AD 900-1150)

Brihadeswar temple, Tanjore (1000 AD)

Plan of cella =24 sq.m with inside pradakshina path

Ht of Cubical volume of cella (garbha griha) =15m
Ht of pyramidal tower = 39.6 m
Tower is capped with a single enormous domical
stone weighing 80 tons
Consist of several structures arranged in axial
planning
Nandi pavilion, Pillared portico, and Large assembly
hall in a spacious walled enclosure
 CHOLA (AD 900-1150)

Brihadeswar temple, Tanjore (1000 AD)

Main temple- Garbagriha and Mahamandapa 180 ft

long
Most dominant feature is grand Vimana tower: 13
tiers/ levels , >> tapering tower : top 1/3 of base
Despite the grand scale, The temple is well
proportioned , balanced
Gate way to main Temple premises
100s of stucco figures in Vimana
Built with granite where there in no source of granite
CHOLA (AD 900-1150)
Temple of Gangaikundacholapuram: 1025 AD

Rajaraja the great was followed by his son Rajendra I

who gave continuation on expansionist policies of his
father
Cholas were also engaged in trading activities with
China and safeguard their shipping interests
Growing Chola power was seen with passionate desire
of Chola king to build new cities
Shifted his power to Gangaikondacholapuram
Challenging the glory of Tanjavur

Main vimana …rising from a base even larger than that

at Tanjore
Vimana……concave profiled
Mandapa…different from the concept of Tanjavur…huge
flat hall (75ft x195ft)
Numbers of closely spaced slender columns (150 nos.) are inevitable to support large
hall (Mahamandapa)… later it is developed into famous halls of thousand columns
of later temple complexes
Entire structure is built on a high platform
CHOLA (AD 900-1150)

Temple of Gangaikundacholapuram: 1025 AD

Main temple
Large in plan L= 340 ft, B=110 ft
wide, H=150 ft

Enclosed in immense walled

enclosure with defense bastions at
places
Main entrance at east
CHOLA (AD 900-1150)
Temple of Gangaikundacholapuram: 1025 AD

Temple property consist of Garbagriha, vestibule

and pillared hall.
Pillar stands on a solid platform 4 ft high
Looks incomplete, too big and uncoordinated

Pyramidal vimana : 100ft side square vertical

base, tapering tower and domical finial
8 tiers (receding level)
The pyramidal form slightly concave
>> more stable but feminine
PANDYAS (AD 1150-1350) Successor of Chola........
Less attentionon...given to Vimana over the sanctum
Instead of giving central cella attraction, Pandyas was diverted to prominent
supplementary or outlying portion of temple scheme
To build sanctity environment around the shrine complex ,they found some different
and impressive form which was achieved by surrounding with high boundary wall
to mark entrance, imposing size gate way was introduced which is rich in
appearance
Thus formed gateway is known as Gopuram..derived its namefrom COW GATE of
Vedic village. Afterward becoming city gate and subsequently MONUMENTAL
ENTRANCE
Monumentary prototype of this characteristic features could be found in Kailashnath
temple at kanchipuram and also in early chalukyan, Virupaksha at Pattadkal,but in
rudimentary stage
PANDYAS (AD 1150-1350)
Evolution of the GOPURAM……………
Evolution of the form of gopuram derived from a RECTANGULAR
PRISMATIC BASE and a pyramid crowned with BARREL VAULT
derived from the BUDDHIST CHAITYA HALL

Square base …inconvenient for entrance block

A broad side on rectangular plan conveyed a sense of transition from
outside towards the inner sanctum
Central massive opening is spanned by means of heavy stone lintel
Substantial base ….stone
PANDYAS (AD 1150-1350)
Evolution of the GOPURAM……………
Evolution of the form of gopuram derived from a RECTANGULAR
PRISMATIC BASE and a pyramid crowned with BARREL VAULT
derived from the BUDDHIST CHAITYA HALL

Diminishing pyramidal tiers…built from brick and plaster

Oblong plan with usually L=2W
First 2 storeys are almost vertical and made of up stone
Diminishing pyramidal structure is made from brick and plaster
contains numerous niches of statues based on Hindu Mythology
PANDYAS (AD 1150-1350)

Gopuram:….
Tapering tower of significant height : often
about 150 ft
Pyramidal structure is crowned with
barrel vault with nos. of small finials
which are always odd in numbers
Elongated roof with gable end keel roof-
horns like ends
( UNLIKE Vimana which are square in plan
with pyramidal tower and round cupola)
Dravidian architecture : Pandyas Period (AD 1100 - 1350)

Gopuram:….
Rooms for priests and guards are on one side of the entrance
and staircase is on the other side leading to each storeys having
wide landing
GOPURAM …A GRAND PIECE of artistic workmanship of
remarkable details and measures the nearness of god
PANDYAS (AD 1150-1350)

Thillai Nataraja Temple, Chidambaram

- A hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva;
- Nine gateways, and four of these have
gateway towers or gopurams each with
7 storeys facing the East, South, West
and North
PANDYAS (AD 1150-1350)

Eastern Gopuram of temple of Chidambaram (1250 AD)

Measures 27.5m x 18m in plan
2 storeys …almost vertical measures 11m
Remaining tower rises to ht of 41m in 7 storeys
PANDYAS (AD 1150-1350)

Example:

Eastern Gopuram of temple of

Chidambaram (1250 AD)
Measures 27.5m x 18m in plan
2 storeys …almost vertical measures
11m
Remaining tower rises to ht of 41m in 7
storeys
PANDYAS (AD 1150-1350)

Srivilliputhur andal temple

VIJAYANAGAR PERIOD (AD 1350-1565)
The Last Great Glory
VIJAYANAGAR PERIOD (AD 1350-1565)

In the mid of 14th century, a powerful Sangama dynasty established

Vijayanagar empire (by Harihar I & Bukka I)

Spread from Krishna river to cape camorin

(when other Northern parts falling under Islamic territory)
Capital : Vijayanagar: the victorius city, on bank of Tugabhadra river

CHARACTERISTICS:

CONSTRUCTION of moderate sized temple instead of large sized

temples as in Chola
Rich in BEAUTY, FORM and PRODUCTION
Due to elaborate religious rituals, nos. of buildings were erected
within the temple premises
VIJAYANAGAR PERIOD (AD 1350-1565)
CHARACTERISTICS:
In addition to the main temple in the middle, there are separate shrines,
pillared halls, pavilions and other annexes, each having its special
purposes e.g. Amman shrine
Another and more important building addition was KALYAN MANDAPA
(marriage hall), placed towards left and front of the east entrance
KALYAN MANDAPA …open pillared pavilion, with raised platform for a
throne in the centre for the reception of deity and his consort on the annual
marriage ceremony celebration
Pillars…with outstanding features……and monolithic
The no. and prominence of pillars and piers : HIGHLY SCULPTURED AND
COMPLEX COMPOSITION,
figurative designs :
- like rearing horse, upraised animals
Temple complex provided with high massive enclosures with Mahadwara
surmounted by Tall Gopurams
Most important examples.......VITTHAL TEMPLE, HAZARA RAM TEMPLE :
 Hampi was the ancient capital of Vijayanagara Empire in India.
The austere, grandiose site of Humpi was the last capital of the
last great Hindu Kingdom of Vijayanagara.

THE VIJAYANAGARA EMPIRE ON THE BANKS OF TUNGHABHADHRA RIVER,

WAS A SOUTH INDIAN EMPIRE BASED IN THE DECCAN PLATEAU. ESTABLISHED
IN 1336 BY HARIHARA I AND HIS BROTHER BUKKA RAYA I. IT LASTED UNTIL 1646
ALTHOUGH ITS POWER DECLINED AFTER A MAJOR MILITARY DEFEAT IN 1565
BY THE DECCAN SULTANATES. THE GOLDEN AGE OF THE EMPIRE IS SAID TO
EXTEND FROM 1509 TO 1529, UNDER THE EMPEROR KRISHNADEVARAYA,
WHEN IT EXTENDED TO COVER THE STATES OF KARNATAKA, ANDHRA
PRADESH AND MAHARASHTRA.
THE EMPIRE IS NAMED AFTER ITS CAPITAL CITY OF VIJAYANAGARA, WHOSE
IMPRESSIVE RUINS SURROUND MODERN HAMPI, NOW A WORLD HERITAGE.
THE ART, ARCHITECTURE AND HINDUISM FLOURISHED UNDER THE
PATRONAGE OF THE VIJAYNAGARA RULERS
 VIJAYANAGAR PERIOD (AD 1350-1565)
Vitthal temple

Located at Vijayanagar: begun in 1513 AD

dedicated to Lord Vishnu

Single storey (70m long, 8 m high)

Temple stands on 1.5m high moulded plinth with

flights of steps guarded by elephant in 3 free sides

Consists of Garbha Griha, mandapa, open

canopied pillared portico (ARDHAMANDAPA)

MAHAMANDAPA in the front with rich appearance

 VIJAYANAGAR PERIOD (AD 1350-1565)
Vitthal temple
MAHAMANDAPA

Has lubricant character of its carving

Has 56 pillars(4 m high)
Monolithic standing on moulded pedestal
Shafts contains animals motifs
Miniature pillars around the main shaft produces
musical tones when gently hit…….therefore known
as MUSICAL PILLAR

The vimana… 23m long, 22m wide but the tower

vanished
The Kalyan mandapa superbly wrought
Stone car (Ratha) exclusively carved
 VIJAYANAGAR PERIOD (AD 1350-1565)
Vitthal temple
KALYAN MANDAPA

Placed slightly to the side and front of the entrance

to the temple with high plinth and flight of steps
All the mandapas inside the court are based on star
shaped plan initiated from later Chalukyan style

Entire temple is enclosed in courtyard measures 152 m

by 95m with 3 gopuram
East Gopuram is the tallest
There is a stone chariot or ratha with massive stone
wheel , free to move, which is a master piece of
Vijayanagar style
Gopuram Main Temple
 Main temple

Musical pillars

Kalyan mandapa
not in alignment