SPECIAL STUDY

ARCHITECTURE STYLES OF ANCIENT TAMIL NADU

SANGAM PERIOD ARCHITECTURE the Veetrirundha Perumal Temple at
 From 580BCE - 300CE, the greatest Veppathur dedicated to Lord Vishnu.
accomplishments of the kingdoms of the early  The dynasties of early
Chola, Chera and the Pandyan kingdoms included medieval Tamilakkam expanded and erected
brick shrines to deities murugan , structural additions to many of these brick shrines.
Shiva, Amman and Vishnu.  Sculptures of erotic art, nature and deities from
 Several of these have been unearthed the Meenakshi Temple, and Ranganathaswamy
near Adichanallur , Kaveripoompuhar Temple date from the Sangam period.
pattinam and Mahabalipuram, and the construction  Many of the temples of this time have been built on
plans of these sites of worship were shared to some either bricks or granite stones but they didn't
detail in various poems of Sangam literature. survived till modern times due to the destruction
 One such temple, the Saluvannkuppan Murukan caused by the invasion of the Dehli Sultanate
temple, unearthed in 2005, consists of three layers. Empire under the leadership of Malik Kafur.
 The lowest layer, consisting of a brick shrine, is one  Several brick structures dating to the Sangam era
of the oldest of its kind in South India, and is the have been unearthed at places across Tamil Nadu
oldest shrine found dedicated to Murukan. such as keeladi ,adichanallur and kodumanal .The
 It is one of only two brick shrine pre Pallava Hindu findings at these sites indicate that the buildings
temples to be found in the state, the other being were built using burnt bricks.
Different phases in Dravidian Architecture,
The Dravidian style/ Southern style of architecture can
Be classified into the following periods
1. Pallavan Style 600AD-900AD
2. Chola Style 900 AD–1150 AD
3. Pandya Style 11OO AD – 1350 AD
4. Vijayanagara Style 1350 AD -1565 AD
5. Nayak/Madura Style 1600 AD onwards

Broadly the classifications would be as follows:

 Pallavan - Rock cut and Structural Temples
 Chola - Development of the Vimana (Shikhara),
Walled enclosures and Gopurams
 Pandya - Evolution of the Gopuram - number,
height, embellishment High walls for enclosure for
security (Muslim invasion).
 Vijayanagara - Addition of Mandapas, Secondary
halls and Gopurams
 Nayaks - Temple cities, addition of Gopurams to
existing temples
PALLAVAS ( 600 AD - 900 AD )
There were two phases of architecture under the Pallavas

1st phase Mahendra group 610-640 AD Mandapas/ pillered

(Rock cut ) halls
Mamalla group 640 – 690 AD Rathas and mandapas
(narasimhavarma)
2nd phase Rajasimha group 690 – 800 AD Temples
(Structural)
Nandivarman group 800-900 AD Temples

MANDAPAS RATHAS

 Excavated  Monolithic

 Open pavilion  Shrine / temple

chariot
 Simple columned hall  Series of shrines
with one or more which is an exact copy
callas at the rear in granite of a
structural prototype
PALLAVAS 1ST PHASE
MANDAPAS - Mahabalipuram
There were a total of 10 mandapas at
Mahabalipuram
Features:
 Similar proportions to earlier Mandapas
 Width 25'
 Height-15' - 20' ; Depth 25'
 Pillars height 9' ; Dia-1'- 2'
 CelIs rectangular- 5’ -10' side
 Shallow porticos

Basement was so planned and executed to

provide a long and narrow receptacle for water,
for ablutions
 Pillars are the main contributions of this period
 Beginning of the Pallava order of column
 Eg.Varaha, Krishna, Mahishasuramandapa,
Adivaraha
EVOLUTION OF PALLAVAN ORDER  The crude block bracket is obvious in early
 The early pillars were the rudimentary type of examples, later gets more refined and graceful.
beam and bracket

 ·This was modified lo a sophisticated design of

the capital and the shaft

 ·Finally the introduction of an element- lion

 ·This figure was incorporated into the lower PALAGAI -wide abacus

portion of the shaft and later at the capital IDAIE - Lotus Form
KUMBHA - Melon Capital
 This lion symbolized the ruling dynasty -
TADI - Refined Necking
Simhavishnu
KALASA - Inverted lotus
 Sq. shaft where the middle third is chamfered
SIMHA -Lion
Into an octagon ht. 7'0" ,The dia of the column -
1'0"-2'0"

PARTS OF DRAVIDIAN ORDER

 The principal elements in the facade of the  A natural leonine figure - a deviation from a
Mamallapuram group Is the lion pillar which grotesque horned lion in the mandapas
rests on the animals head
 Fluted banded shaft- Stambham
 Mahabalipuram temples are cave temples also
known as mandapas.
 Rock-cut cave temples are sanctuaries or temples
covered with bas-reliefs.
 The earliest period of use of these caves as
sanctuaries can be traced to the Buddhist and Jain
periods. They were excavated on rock faces which
were cut and then carved using chisels and iron
mallets.
 Of the eleven mandapas or cave temples seen in
Mahabalipuram, the most notable are the Varaha
Cave Temple, Krishna Cave Temple, Tiger Cave
Temple, Panchapandava Cave Temple, and the
Mahishasuramardini mandapa.
 Cave temples existed prior to the 7th century,
which were predominantly Buddhist, the first free
standing rock cut temples were built by the
Pallava Kings in Tamil Nadu.
RATHAS – MAHABALIPURAM  Exteriors are completed and interiors are incomplete
 Seven pagodas exist, reproduced from wooden  Unknown purpose of execution
examples  Small Structures a maximum 42' long 35' wide 40'
 ·Beam heads, rafters, purlins, all transferred into high
rock  Derived from the chaitya hall and viharas
 Acted as a prototype for later temples
Draupadi Ratha : Arjuna Ratha :

 Smallest among the group dedicated to Durga  Stepped pyramid structure decorate with Kudus

 Simplest and the most finished  The square details at the cornes are termed as
 A cell or Pansala square in plan Stupis and the oblong ones In the facade Shalas

 The shape of the roof -concave pyramidal  Square in plan 5 m.

roof ·indicates it was a copy of the thatched  High relief sculptures on external walls between
structure -portable shrine pilasters.
 The base is supported by figures of animals. a lion
altemating with an elephant

 The corner ridges were decorated with delicate

carvings with volutes .There are niches containing
high relief carvings of the Durga
Bhima Ratha :
Sahadeva Nakula Ratha:
 Reproduces the Chaitya mode
 The Ratha is based on “Chaitya Hall “ of Buddhist
 Keel or Barrel vaulted roof with a Chaitya Gable end temple with an apsidal end on the south side
 The structure is 2 stories high
 Double pillared portico on the north side.
 The front portico consists or 4 columns  Its plinth measures 5.5 m , 3.35 m and rises to a
 Prototype for the Gopuram of later temples with height of 5m in four tiers.
the oblong plan, diminishing stories, keel roof with  The roof is elaborately carved.
pinnacles and gable end.
 The gable end of the roof Is ornamented with a
central symbol similar to the stupa
 Depicts a prayer hall with curved barge boards
taking the place of the vaulted roof. Decorative
brackets simulate the ribs of the vault.
Dharmaraja Ratha : Ganesh Ratha :

 Dedicated to Shiva  Dedicated to Shiva

 Largest of the 5 Rathas  Lion ornamenting a pier in the facade. 2 Lion pillars

 Square In plan 10m. in the portico Aedicule on ether side with carved

 Consists of 3 stories the last of which is 13m high sculptures.

 No internal space other than galleries with  3 stories with the keel roof - Prototype for the

columns at the entrance Gopuram

 It is a large scale version of Arjuna Ratha with a  In elevation it has 2 parts

larger no. of miniature edifices carved in the roof  Square portion with pillared verandah below

 There are 12 square Stupis at the corners and 24  Paramedical shikara/tower formed by converted

Shalas on the sides- kudu cells. Strongly molded stylobate ( Base).

 Turreted roof
2"" PHASE OF PALLAVAN ARCHITECTURE-(690 • 900 AD )
STRUCTURAL TEMPLES (SHORE TEMPLE-
Mahabalipuram)

 The Shore Temple was constructed In 700 AD by

Narasimha Varma II Rajasimha

 Constructed of dressed Granite

 The complex consists of 2 shrines dedicated to Shiva

and 1 shrine dedicated to Vishnu

 Located near the shore of Mamallapuram the

temple was constructed with the intention of the
cella facing the east so that the first rays or the sun
would illuminale the shrine

 Among the breakers stood a stone pillar to act as a

light house

 This concept led to the different arrangement of

the parts in the layout
Planning:
 The placement of the cella in the east left no
space for the mandapas , forecourts and gateway
 These were hence placed in the rear or t he shrine
 The central structure is surrounded by a massive
enclosure wall, with the entry on the Western side
of the courtyard
 ·The layout was further complicated by the addition
of 2 shrines added asymmetrically on the west
 The addition of the shrine on the west with the
smaller spire gives the impression that it is the
main entrance
 The 2 supplementary shrines have converted the
Shore temple into an unconventional double
towered monument Verticality of the temple
accentuated with a slender monolithic stupi
 The central building seems to be a development
off the Rathas with a difference in the treatment
Details:
 Square lower storey
 Pyramidal tower in diminishing tiers
 Change in the shape of the tower seeming to rid of
the vihara
 Rhythmic, buoyant composition than the Rathas
giving the temple a lightness and soaring quality
 Appearance of a pilaster- rampant lion as a relief
found wherever a structural form with an
ornament was required
 The lion pillar with the Dravidian capital projects at
every angle and Is also introduced at intervals
around the lower part of the entire structure
 As the style progressed the Leo Griff motif is
frequently used
 Identifying symbol of the Pallavan period
Water Chambers:
 Surrounded by an outer rectangular enclosure
 Portions of the ground floor of the enclosure
consisted of a system of shallow cisterns which
could be flooded on certain occasions
 The space could hence be resolved Into a water
temple
 Some of the conduits and receptacles can be
traced
 The water was fed into the system by means of
canal and conveyed by sluices
 Overflow was carried through the rear of the shrine
to the sea
Enclosure:
 Surrounding wall had a parapet and coping with
figures of kneeling bulls
 Bold projecting lion pilasters on exterior wall
 Entrance through a richly ornamented doorway on
the western side Leading to a corridor on one side
KAILASANATHAR TEMPLE , KANCHIPURAM

 The temple has retained the Pallavan

architecture In its original stylized form with
Influence of the later styles developed by the
Chola Dynasty and Vijayanagara Emperors.

 It is of stone built architecture unlike the rock cut

architecture built into hallowed caves or carved
Into rock outcrops as in Mahabalipuram. The tall
gopuram (tower) is to the left and the temple
complex is to the right.

 The temple's foundations are made of granite,

which could withstand the weight of the temple,
while the super structure including the carvings
are all made of sandstone. Initially , only the
main sanctuary existed with pyramidal vimana
and a detached mandapa(main hall).

 The temple complex is complete In all respects as
it has garbhagriha (sanctum sanctorum). antarala
(inner enclosure), mandapam high compound wall
and an entrance gate, the gopuram.
 The mandapa, which was Initially detached was
made part of the main shrine by interposing an
ardhamantapa (smaller hall).
 The pillars of the mandapa have the repetitive
features of mythical lion mounts.
 The structure has a simple layout. with a tower or
shikhara at the center of the complex.
 The shikara of the temple, above the main shrine
(sanctum sanctorum),is square in plan and rises
up in a curvilinear style or pyramidal shape. The
tower has many levels rising proportionately.
 The top of this tower, there Is a small roof In the
shape of a dome.
 The pillar elements' with mythical animal shapes
(lions on the base) are extra features in Pallavan
style.
 At the entrance, the gopuram walls are plastered. Its
entrance wall has eight small shrines and a gopura,
precursor to the main gopura.
 At some later stage, the mandapa and the sanctuary
were joined by an intermediate hall called the
ardhamantapa , which is reported to have marred the
beauty of the temple to some extent.
 The temple is enclosed within walls in a rectangular
layout.
 The outstanding feature of sculptures is the profusion
of depiction of the erect lions projecting out in
several directions.
 There are two sculptures of Shiva here which are
seen holding the Veena (musical string instrument)
in the hand. There is a lot of difference between
the Veena found in the said sculptures and the
present day.
 A circumambulatory passage, with a symbolic
meaning is situated along the compound wall. In order
to make the circumambulation, there is a narrow
entry passage which devotees must crawl through.
Seven steps must be climbed In order to reach the
passage. Passing through the narrow passage is
Indicative of passage through life.
 After the circumambulation, the exit Is through a pit
or another narrow passage symbolic of death. lt is
believed that making the circumambulation round
the various deities would usher the same blessings
as visiting paradise.
CHOLA ARCHITECTURE – (900 -1150 AD)
 The capital or the Chola dynasty was the city or
Thanjavur from 836 –1267 AD
 The Cholas ruled the Deccan and emerged
victorious among many other kingdoms such as
Pallavas, Pandya, Chalukyas, Rashtrakutas.
 They advanced as far as Bengal, Sri lanka, Java,
Sumatra, and had trade links as far as Indonesia.
 The temple of Gangaikondacholapuram, the
 Their military and economic power was reflected creation of Rajendra Chola I, was intended to
in the grand architectural productions under this exceed its predecessor in every way.
period at Thanjavur, Gangaikondachola puram,  Completed around 1030, only two decades after
Dharasuram and Tribuvanam. the temple at Thanjavur and in much the same
style, the greater elaboration in its appearance
attests the more affluent state of the Chola Empire
under Rajendra.
 This temple has a larger Siva linga than the one
at Thanjavur but the Vimana of this temple is
smaller in height than the Thanjavur vimana
EARLY CHOLA TEMPLES  The capital Is modified to by addition of a neck
Typical Features: moldings padmabandham and the pot kalasha. The
 The temples are of modest proportions Palagai is expanded to combine the ldaie
 Built entirely of stone underneath
 Egs. At Pudukottai - Sundareswara at Tirukattalai,
Vijayalaya at Nartamalai
 These show the Dravidian style in its formative
stages
 Use of well dressed granite
 Pallavan influence observed in the vimana - similar
to the Rathas
 Similarities to the Chalukyan in shape of the
domical finial of the shikhara, which is similar to
bldgs. at Patadakkal
 Treatment- simplification of the exteriors
compared to the Pallavas with elimination of the
details
 Absence of the lion motif and pillar
Brihadeeswara Temple Thanjavur - 1000 AD Planning:

 The Brihadeeswara Temple at Thanjavur was  Dedicated to Shiva

constructed around 1000 AD  Surrounded by 2 walled precincts

 The first one measures 270 m X 140m consisting of
 The largest, highest and most ambitious project at Its
a high wall running along the banks of the river
time - a landmark In the evolution of South Indian
Kaveri.
Architecture
 The 2nd wall consists of a portico with a
 Fine architectural treatment and Proportions
double row of pillars , measures 150m x
 The main structure Is 180' long above which is the
75m.
tower 190' high.
 The Temple is entered through the perimeter
wall forms a rectangular cloister which could
be divided into 2 squares.
 The center of the 1st square contains the
Nandi pavilion and the 2nd contains the cella.
 Over the cella is the main gopuram 60m high
and 15m at its base.
 The garbhagriha is a mere 5m square surrounded
by a thick wall with a narrow corridor.
 Axial planning.
 The main cella is preceded by 2 hypostyle halls
and a narrow vestibule.
 Entered through a pillared portico on the west.
COMPONENTS OF VIMANA
1. VERTICAL BASE :
 Square of 82 feet rising to the height of 50 feet.
 The square vertical base rises for 2 stories to
accommodate the linga which was increased in
height.
 An upper gallery was hence added creating a
2nd storey, with the 2 levels of the tower receiving
the same treatment.

2. PYRAMIDAL PORTION:
 13 diminishing stories until the width of the
apex is 1/3 base.

3. CUPOLA:
 On the square platform stands the cupola, the
inward curve of the neck breaking the rigid outlines
of the composition.
Architectural treatment
Vertical face :  The entire periphery of the temple base consists of
 The wall is divided Into 2 stories by means of an mythical animals – lions.
overhanging cornice which is the only horizontal PYRAMIDAL ROOF
member  The surface are adomed with the horizontal lines of
 Contains pilasters and niches with sculptures the diminishing tiers.
 In the middle of each recess is a figure subject  The cupola at the summit is contrasted with the niches
 The mastery of the sculptors is seen in the Dvarapalas on all the 4 sides.
which stand guard at the gate
 Brihadeeswara Temple has been listed as a
UNESCO World Heritage Site under the list of
'Great Living Chola Temples'.
 An approximate of 130,000 tons of granite was
used in the formation of this temple.
 A huge idol of Lord Shiva with three eyes is present
inside the temple along with the 108 dance forms
or 'karmas'.
 The exterior part on the other end Is decorated
with sculptures .There are 250 lingams in the

 The holy shrine has a temple tower (vimana) that is entire temple compound.

built at a height of 216 feet. Being the tallest in the  This famous sanctuary is made up of a pillared hall

world, it symbolizes Mount Peru. 'Gopuras' or the and an assembly hall which is known as mandapas

two gateways are located at the eastern entrance and many sub-shrines.

of the temple.
 The temple's entrance has a large statue of Nandi
(sacred bulI) that measures about 16 feet in length
and 13 feet in height. This statue has been carved
out of a single stone.
 'Kumbam' is the topmost component of the holy
shrine and weighs about 60 tons. It has been also
carved out from a single granite stone.

PANDYA ARCHITECTUR E- 1100 -1350 AD
The Genesis of the Gopurams of Dravidian
Style
After the Cholas- architecture was at its peak with the
concentration being on the Vimana
Changes during the Pandya period:
 Vimana ceased to be the center of concentration
 The supplementary and outlying portions were
developed
 Reasons were sentimental- do not touch God
 Walls were built/Pylons were the center of
concentration for architecture
 Became the main feature of South Indian Temples
 Derivation of the Cow gate- City gate- Temple
gate Gopuram
 Considerable political changes were taking place.
The most threatening force was from the north -
conquering hordes of Islam.
 This threat made the Pandya rulers hurriedly throw
up makeshift battlements around their cities and the
heart of their towns -the temples. This called for
modifying the Temple to a Fortress which was
unacceptable
 The solution was hence to raise the gates of the
fortress to the level of architecture. This was the
genesis of the famous gopurams, or entrance
gateways of the temple cities of the south.
EARLY ARCHITECTURE ( 6TH – 10TH CENTURY)  About 7.5 meter of the mountain is excavated in a
VETTUVAN KOIL rectangular fashion and in the middle the temple is
 After the close of the Sangam age, the first sculpted from a single piece of rock.
Pandyan empire was established by Kadungon in  The carvings reflect the southern temple style of
the 6th century by defeating the Kalabhras, The the Pandya era.
empire ruled AD (6th – 10th centuriy ).
 Rock cut and structural temples are significant
part of pandyan architecture.
 The Vimana and mandapa are some of the
features of the early Pandyan temples Vettuvan
Koil (English: a Sculptor's paradise) is a Hindu
temple built between the 8th and 9th century.
 Kalugumalai is a priceless
unfinished Pandyan monolith cave temple, part of
the iconographic richness that helped chronicle
the burgeoning richness of the Tamil culture,
traditions, and sacred centers containing religious
art.
MEENAKSHI AMMAN TEMPLE COMPLEX

 The towers ,or the gopurams for which this

temple is known, are visible from a distance.

 No less than 12 gopurams or towers adorn this

temple and the 4 outer ones tower to a height of
over 160 feet.
 Surrounding the Shiva and Meenakshi temples is a
huge prakaram with Imposing 9 tiered gopurams
,in each of the 4 cardinal directions.
 The tallest of these Is the southern tower, rising to
a height of 170 feet.
 There are thus a total of 12 gopurams, two gold
plated vimaanams (crowning the sancta) and
several mandapams with carved pillars within the
Meenakshi sundareshwarar complex.
 The idol of Shri Meenakshi Amman Is made of  The numerous Mandapas of the Temple like the
greenish black stone. Thousand Pillars Mandapam, tell us stories about
 The Swayambhu Lingams are believed to be the Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati sculpted out of
representations of Lord Shiva that have risen from rock.
the ground by themselves.  A unique fact that can be opened about the
 Lord Shiva performs the different forms of
placement of shrines is that the shrine of Lord
Cosmic Dance.
Sundareshwarar is exactly one-fourth of the
 The Porthamarai Kulam, meaning the "Pond with
total area of the temple.
the Golden Lotus" is the name given to the sacred
 The shrine of Goddess Meenakshi is exactly one.
Temple Tank.
Fourth of the area of Lord Sundareshwara's
 It is believed that the tank was initially created by
shrine.
Lorri Shiva himself when he thrust his Trishul into
 This might indicate that In the earlier times, Lord
the Earth on request from Nandi.
Shiva was given ritualistic importance over
 Meenakshi temple is an architectural wonder.
Goddess Meenakshi.
The imposing 14 gopurams of the temple
complex are awe inspiring and intricately carved.
9 STORYED GOPURAM OF TEMPLE
Differences between Vimana and Gopuram:
 Shikhara ,a Sanskrit word translating literally to
"mountain peak", refers to the rising tower in the First type:

Hindu temple architecture of North India  Straight sloping sides Firm and rigid contours

 In South India, the equivalent term for "shikhara"  Geometric form where the treatment is
is "vimana". architectural Pillars and pilasters were used
 There existed two types as to the form of the
Gopuram with respect to the appearance and the Second type: more ornate
surface treatment  Curved and concave sides Creating an upward
sweep
 Surface treatment Is of Florid nature Figure
subjects predominate
 Every portion is plastered thick with images The
roof is spectacular with comuted gables
 The ridge line breaks into a row of tall pinnacles
forming a climax to the fretted and pullulating
mass below

Type 1 Type 2
 Gopura is generally constructed with a massive
stone base and a superstructure of brick and
plaster. It is rectangular in plan and topped by a
barrel-vault roof crowned with a row of finials.
 It differs from the Vimanam in that It need not
necessarily be square-based. Above that
rectangular base a pyramidal structure covered
with brightly colored plethora of sculpture is raised
to a great height.
 The humans and the divine beings are In the inner
enclosures.
 A devotes bows at the at the entrance, the feet of
the Lord, as he steps Into the temple and proceeds
towards the sanctum, leaving behind the world of
contradictions.

 A Gopura has to be towering and massive.

 In the ancient times, the cities all over South India

could be discerned from afar by the distinctive
shape of their Gopuras dominating the skyline.

 When viewed from top, the Gopura too

resembles a Mandala;

 With the Goblins, Yalis, mythical animals and other

beings located in the outer enclosure
Surface Decoration:

 Most of the Pandya Gopurams are of the

architectural type simple and conventional due to
the early period of evolution

Dravidian Order:

 Pillars and capital saw two changes

 The ldaie or flower motif was given a scalloped
edge- foliated and exquisite appearance
 Alteration of the Bracket overhanging the bracket
Into a molded pendent or a drop
 The Palagai was altered in proportion
 Abacus 2·thick, 4' 6" feet diameter
VIJAYANAGARA ARCHITECTURE (1350 – 1600 AD )
(Vellore fort )
 Vellore Fort was built by Chinna Bommi Reddy
and Thimma Reddy Nayak, subordinate chieftains
under Sadasiva Raya of the Vijayanagara
Empire in the year of 1566 AD.
 It is mentioned that "there is no such fort on the
face of earth like the one in Vellore. It had a deep
wet ditch (moat) where once 10,000 crocodiles
swarmed, waiting to grab every intruder into this
impregnable fort. It has huge double walls with
bastions projecting irregularly, where two carts
can be driven abreast".
 The fort was constructed in granite from the
nearby quarries in Arcot and Chittor districts.
 It spreads over an area of 133 acres (0.54 km2)
and is located at an altitude of 220 m (720 ft)
within a broken mountain range.
 The fort is surrounded by a moat which was once
used as an additional line of defence in the case of
an invasion.
 It was supposed to have included an escape tunnel
leading to Virinjipuram about 12 km (7.5 mi) away,
which could be used by the king and other royals in
the event of an attack.
 This report was however later disputed by
researchers of the ASI who found no evidence of
the existence of such a passage.
 The fort is considered to be among the best of
military architecture in Southern India and is
known for its grand ramparts, wide moat and
robust masonry.
JALAKANTESHWARA TEMPLE ( VELLORE FORT )
 The Jalakanteshwara Temple inside Vellore fort is
a fine example of Vijayanagaram Architecture.
 The temple has exquisite carvings on its gopuram
(tower), richly carved stone pillars, large wooden
gates and stunning monoliths and sculptures.
 These Vijayanagara sculptures are similar to the
ones present in Soundararajaperumal Temple,
Thadikombu, Krishnapuram Venkatachalapathy
temple, Srivilliputhur Divya Desam and Alagar
Kovil.
 The Gopuram of the tower is over 100 ft. in
height.
 The temple also has a Mandapam, with the hall
supported by carved stone pillars of dragons,
horses and yalis (lion like creature).
 The sculptures of door keeper found in
Jalakandesvarar temple at Vellore, and the door
keepers on either side of the Mandapam of
Ekambaranthar temple at Kanchi were very
attractive.
 Again, certain temples contained the sculptures of
Siva, Umayevol. Thirumal, Lakshmi, Vairavarm kali
and Chandesvarar.
 These beautiful structures attracted the
masses. They were still in good condition.  The mosque inside the fort was constructed during
the last Arcot Nawab's period.
 The church inside the fort was constructed during
the early British period (Robert Clive, East Indian
Company). Muthu Mandapam is a memorial built
around the tombstone of Sri Vikrama Rajasinha,
the last ruler of Sri Lanka.
NAYAK ARCHITECTURE - 1600 AD onwards  Meenakshi Temple at Madurai – noted for the
Evolution of the Temple- Complexity in Plan due to great splendor its "thousand-pillared" mandapam,
Complexity in Ritual and the Thanga Thamarai kulam ("Golden Lotus
The Madurai and Thanjavur Nayaks made great water pool").
contributions to architectural style, the main
characteristics of the style during this period being
the elaborate mandapas of the "hundred-pillared"
and "thousand-pillared" types, the
high gopurams with stucco statues on the surface
and the long corridors.
The main temples representing this style are:
 The Ranganatha temple at Sri Rangam – noted
for its increase in the number of enclosures;
 The temple at Rameswaram – noted for its long
corridors;
 The Subramanya temple at the Brihadeeswara
Temple court at Thanjavur – noted for its
fine vimana with Ratha and maha mandapas;
 The Muslims started moving south which led to the
shifting of the capital south at Madurai.
 The architecture flourished principally under the
rule of Tirumalai Nayak 1623 -1659
 The Madura Style as it is also known as was a revival
of the Pandya style of architecture.
The expansion of the temples corresponded to the
expansion of the temple ritual :
 The forms and ceremonies became more elaborate
leading to the arrangement of buildings for the
activities
 The increase in the structural form was due to the
wider powers given to the deity
1. Inner areas :
 Consisted of flat roofed courts, one enclosed within
the other.
 This normally covered a fairly large rectangular
space.
 Within the inner of the 2 courts is the sanctum, the
cupolas of which covered in gilt projects out
through the flat roofs acting as the focal center
 There is a guarded seclusion to the inner area
2. Outer areas:
 Concentric series of open courtyards known as
‘ Prakarams '
 Enclosed within high walls, open to sky as they are
too large to be roofed
 Provide space for secular buildings connected with
the ceremonies
 EXPANSION OR GROWTH OF TEMPLES:  The enclosure was entered by Gopurams, one on
InnerAreas or Cella:
the E and W The Gopuram on the E was the
 Wholly covered and sacrosanct. The Cella and the
principal doorway and largest
Portico form the sanctum- origin of temple
 Various structures were erected inside - pillared
 Cella was enclosed within another flat roofed hall
halls or Mandapas and subsidiary shrines
to protect the original sanctuary and to emphasize
 Semi religious buildings such as granaries, store
the sacredness
rooms for ceremonial supplies
 Pillared aisles were added entrance through a small
gopuram in front on the east  Later concentric rectangles were added contained

 Later the covered court was enclosed within a within higher enclosing walls leaving another open

similar structure, division of the concentric space between the inner and the outer perimeters

corridors by means of pillars and pavilions  4 entrances adorned the four walls in the center

 2 entrances on the East and West with a larger at the cardinal points

gopuram than the previous enclosure  Each consisted of a Gopuram larger than the

Outer Areas: previous one within the outermost enclosure 2

 The entire composition was enclosed within a large Important structures were built- Thousand

rectangle by means of a highwall The remaining Pillared Hypostyle hall and a Square Tank of water

space was left to provide a wide open courtyard or for ablutions, lined with steps and surrounded by

Prakaram an arcade
 This formed the basis for temple layouts but layer Sri Rangam temple in Trichy

temples were sometimes disproportionately

enlarged - Srirangam which has 7 concentric
rectangular enclosures the whole resembling a
town.

Meenakshi Amman temple (extensions in nayakkar period )