LANDSCAPE STUDY OF

HINDU TEMPLES
DISSERTATION REVIEW 1
 • Landscape has a role to play with worship
since prehistoric times. At every evolution
stage landscape has had a different role to play
within the sacred worship space.
• Over a period the difference between the
sacred and the profane had become distinct.
• Pre historic times the dark-skinned Dravidians
worshipped the elements like trees, sun, etc.
offered food to the god.
BACKGROUND • With the advent of the Aryans the worship of
main elements like the Sun god took
precedence but they also inculcated the
beliefs of the conquered Dravidians.
• With the spread of Buddhism the practice of
Idol worship came into being, which when
faced with the bhakti movement led to the
evolution of early temple styles
 • The landscapes of the Hindu temples
with respect to the orientation,
Study: planning, hierarchy etc.
• To study the role of landscape and site
planning in the temple complex.
 PARTS OF A TEMPLE

Conclusion: As per the description by Brown P. from his book Indian Architecture, ( Buddhist and Hindu).
One of the earliest temples to have full coordinated form is Kandariya Mahadeva temple. (Brown P. , 2014)
Image source: www.ancient.eu
 This timeline shows the Major
dynasties of Indian Temple
architecture

There were 2 Major styles

1. Dravidian Style ( Southern
Style)
2. Nagara Style ( Northern
style)

https://image.slidesharecdn.com/presentation1-140729065913-
Source: www. 4.blogspot.com
phpapp01/95/presentation1-1-638.jpg?cb=1406617203
Dravidian style –
1. Pallavas – A.D 600-900
2. Chola – A.D. 900-1150
3. Pandyas- A.D 1100-1350
Galaganatha and the Sangameswara temples at
4. Vijayanagar – 1350-1565AD Pattadakal Temple complex
Source: GoHeritageRun.com

(Source: Brown P. Indian Architecture-

Buddhism & Hindu Period)

Thanjore Brihadeeshwara temple

Source: Brittanica.com

Hampi temple Madurai Meenakshi temple

Source: Panchajanya-wordpress.com Source: Cultureindia.com
 • Area of study is focused on the
Chola period. This period in the
AREA OF Dravidian style of temple has seen
on of the largest temples of its
STUDY time, thereby creating curiosity to
study the same.
 • What are the notions related to Hindu
temples? What were the factors that
contribute to the formation of a temple
precinct?
• What was the landscape scenario of
RESEARCH temples in the Cholla period? Does the
spatial construct of a temple
QUESTIONS affect/contribute to the aura of a
temple?
• Does landscape, have an influence on
the way the temple complexes are
arranged, along with their indigenous
cultural nuances?
 • Step 1: Formulating a set of
attributes after understanding the
notions and aspects related to
temple architecture? (would
answer the 1st question)
METHODOLOGY • Step 2: Doing a spatial analysis of
the identified temples using the
formulated set of attributes.
(Would answer the 2nd question)
 • Understanding the spatial organization
and construct of the temples of the
Chola period. Analysis of whether this
CONCLUSION has an impact on the aura of the
temple. Understanding the important
factors to be considered related to the
temples of Chola period.
 • Even though Buddhist temples were the
reasons for the evolution, this study
does not cover Buddhist temples. This
study only focusses on the Chola Period
LIMITATIONS (900-1150 BCE) in the Dravidian temple
styles.
 Books:
• Indian Architecture: Buddhist and Hindu,
Percy Brown, Edition 2014.
• The Hindu Temple, Stella Kramrisch, 1946.
• Prehistoric India to 1000 B.C., Stuart Piggott,
1962.

Sources • Elements of space making, Yatin Pandya,

2014
• Concepts of space in traditional Indian
architecture, Yatin Pandya, 2013.
Journels:
• On the development of a morphology for a
symbolic architecture, Micheal W, IJSR