INFERENCE

The hindu temple architecture is an open, symmetry driven structure, with many
variations, on a square grid of padas, deploying perfect geometric shapes such as circles
and squares. A hindu temple consists of an inner sanctum, the garbha griha which is
crowned by a tower-like vimana. The architecture includes an ambulatory for parikrama,
a congregation hall,and sometimes an antechamber and a porch.The hindu temple
architecture reflects a synthesis of arts, the ideals of dharma, beliefs, values and the way
of life cherished under Hinduism. It is a link between man, deities, and the Universel
Purusa in a sacred space.

This report is mainly an analise of four such sacred space, which are temples which
follows Dravidian style of architecture.

Pancha Rathas is a monument complex at Mahapalipuram. The main material is granite

which ws a monolith from which the five rathas where carved out. Eventhough they are
monuments, sometimes mistakenly referred to as temples.the site is located at
mahabalipuram, on the coromental coast of the Bay of Bengal, in Kanchipuram district.

Each ratha has a different layout , such as square, rectangular, apsidal plans.

Shore temple is situated at the shore of Bay of Bengal. It is built with granite blocks.
It is a three temple complex built on same platform facing east. The temple has a
garbhagriha , an enshrined sivalinga, a small mandapa for circumambulation, two shrines
facing in opposite direction, octagonal shaped vimanas.the entire compound wall
surrounding the temple is sculpted with large sculptures of Nandi and Yalis and Varahas.

Brihadeshwara temple located at thanjavur ,made out of granite stands amidst fortified
walls that were probably added in the sixteenth century. The vimana is 216 ft high, the
temples has a five-story gopuram, a first rectangular surrounding wall , 270 m by 140m,
marks the outer boundary. The temple has got mainly three mandapas , surrounded by
two prakaras, and having a plinth about 5m high.
 Meenakshi Amman temple situated at madhurai, having 14 gopurams ranging from 45-
50m in height, two golden sculptured vimana, the shrines over the garbhagrihas,
surrounded by three prakaras, about seven mandapas,also a sacred tempke tank which is
165ft in size. The temple structure above the plinth is dexterously planned and pleasingly
detailed. Apart from the platform over jagati the superstructure came over the raised
plinth .