SHEET

A. DESCRIPTION C. ORTHOGRAPHIC DETAILS 03 - A

I. Name of the Study Location
- Shore Temple, Mamallapuram
II. Building Typology
- Temple
III. Chronology and Patron
- 725 AD| Narasimhavarman II

Subject: ART-307: VERNACULAR ARCHITECTURE| Subject Coordinator : Ar. Ram Niwas Sharma
IV. Building Purpose / Function
- Prayer offering place

V. Basic Architecture
1. Dravidian style, Rock cut Architecture.
2. Built using Granite blocks.

2021 Batch | Group Members : Manoj Prabhakar | Sri sanjai M | Reshma R

PLAN
3. It is square with each side measuring 259
feet.
Intricate carvings
4. All the three Temples of the Shore Temple
complex are built on the same platform.
5. Its pyramidal structure is 60 feet (18 m)
high and sits on a 50 feet (15 m) square
platform.
35 to 55° c 27 to 32° c 15 to 22° c -3 to 18° c -3 to 10° c

VI. Architectural Elements, Hot dry Warm Humid Composite Temperate Cold
ornamental and Features
1. The temple is a combination of three
shrines
2. The two Shiva shrines are orthogonal in
configuration.
3. Tall and Slender pillars
4. The entrance is through
a transverse barrel vault gopuram.
5. Mihrab is built with white marbles.
6. The two shikharas have a pyramidal
outline, each individual tier is distinct
with overhanging eaves that cast dark KEY PLAN A Relief
Elevation
shadows.
B. LOCAL NAMES/TERMINOLOGY
7. The temple's outer walls are divided
by pilasters into bays, the lower part being Vernacular
Description and meaning
carved into a series of rearing lions. name D. HIERARCHY of SPACES

ASI CIRCLE MONUMENT STUDY

A monumental tower, usually ornate, at the entrance
VII. Material Used & Colour Palettes Gopuram of a temple, especially in Dravidian style.
1. Core Construction – Granite
A garbhagriha is the innermost sanctuary
2. Exterior – Granite Garbhagriha of Hindu and Jain temples, what may be called the
3. Finishing Materials – Stone and marble *
"holy of holies" or "sanctum sanctorum".

4. Roofing. A mandir kalash is a metal or stone spire used to top

the domes of Hindu temples. Present in the form of an
5. Interior. Kalasham inverted pot with a point facing the sky, kalasha are
6. Flooring. prominent elements of temple architecture.
7. Color- Rusty yellow and brown.

VIII. Structural Features
1. Structure type- Load bearing walls and
pillars made of blocks of granite.
ASI CHENNAI
A prakaram in Indian architecture is an outer part around
the Hindu temple sanctum. They may be enclosed or
Prakaram
open and are typically enclosed for the innermost
prakaram. As per Hindu religious practices, devotees
start to come around the outer prakarams to the inner
most before entering the sanctum.
Entrance
 SHEET
E. SPATIAL ANALYSIS F. DESIGN ANALYSIS 03 - B

I. Space Allocation I. Sculpting Techniques

The Shore Temple is laid out on a

rectangular plan, with the two main

Subject: ART-307: VERNACULAR ARCHITECTURE| Subject Coordinator : Ar. Ram Niwas Sharma
shrines located in the center of the
complex. The Vishnu shrine is located in
front of the Shiva shrine, and they are both
surrounded by a number of smaller shrines
and mandapas (pavilions).
• Main Shiva shrine: This is the largest

2021 Batch | Group Members : Manoj Prabhakar | Sri sanjai M | Reshma R\

and most important shrine in the Garden High- relief sculpture
temple complex. It is dedicated to the
Hindu god Shiva, and it is located in the
center of the complex. The shrine is a
two-story structure with a pyramidal
tower.
• Vishnu shrine: This is a smaller shrine
that is dedicated to the Hindu god
Vishnu. It is located in front of the Shiva
shrine, and it is connected to it by a TEMPLE COMPLEX
bridge. The Vishnu shrine is a single-
story structure.
• Smaller shrines and mandapas: These
surrounds the main Shiva and Vishnu
shrines. They are used for a variety of
purposes, including worship,
meditation, and social gatherings.

Rock cut sculpture

II. Space Distribution

Here is a more detailed breakdown of the space

distribution of the Shore Temple in meter scale:

• Main Shiva shrine: 18 meters (60 feet) high and 15

meters (50 feet) square at the base •Bas-relief: Bas-relief is a type of sculpture in which the figures are carved in relief on a flat

ASI CIRCLE MONUMENT STUDY

• Vishnu shrine: 12 meters (40 feet) high and 10
meters (33 feet) square at the base
• Bridge connecting the two main shrines: 5 meters
(16 feet) long and 3 meters (10 feet) wide
• Smaller shrines and mandapas: Vary in size and
shape, but most are approximately 5 meters (16
feet) high and 5 meters (16 feet) square
• Entire temple complex: 50 meters (164 feet) long
surface. The Pallavas were masters of bas-relief, and their sculptures are known for their
intricate details and expressive figures.
•High relief: High relief is a type of sculpture in which the figures are carved in high relief,
meaning that they project significantly from the background surface. The Pallavas used high
relief to create dramatic and dynamic sculptures, such as the Descent of the Ganges at
Mahabalipuram.
•Rock-cut sculpture: The Pallavas were also masters of rock-cut sculpture, in which the
figures are carved directly into the rock face. Their rock-cut sculptures are some of the most

ASI CHENNAI
and 30 meters (98 feet) wide impressive and iconic examples of Pallava art