Hindu Architecture under Chalukyans

2nd phase (600-750 AD)

Upto Rastrakuta and Hoysala style

Lecture-7
EVOLUTION OF AN INTEGRATED PLAN
BY CHALUKYANS…………..
Kadamba was defeated by chalukyans king named Raja Jayasimha
shifted capital from Aihole to Badami
Temple development both in Aihole and Badami
Another Chalukyan king- Vikramadhitya-I, established at Pattadkal situated half way
between old cities Aihole and Badami
Important templedevelopment at Pattadkal are
Papanath Temple (7th c AD)
Virupaksha temple
Hindu (CENTRAL) Architecture under Chalukya:2nd phase (600-750 AD)

Addition to Durga temple, Aihole

• Addition of the elongated pyramid ( shikhara) over the
apsidal end of flat roof
• The outline straight sided >> inclined inward at the
apex
• Fluted finial stone (Amala sila) >> now, dropped &
lying on the ground

The addition to Ladh khan temple:

• The flat roof adorned with a cubic volume built over

the central flat roof over main hall
Hindu (CENTRAL) Architecture under Chalukya:2nd phase (600-750 AD)

small ruined temple at Badami

• Ruined but interior exposed >> reveal

composition and constructional system
• Central cella contained within a processional
passage
• In front the pillared hall covered with sloping
slabs of stone
• Masonry simple >> megalithic appearance
• Finial square base
Hindu Architecture under Chalukya:2nd phase (600-750 AD)

Temples at Pattadakal :
• Pattadakal : 3rd capital of Chalukyan after 642 AD
• Significant Chalukyan kings Vijayaditya,
Vikramaditya
• No actual meridian of style in first half of Eighth century AD: a stage of
evolution
• Ten temples at Pattadakal:
Dravidian (South Indian)
Indo Aryan ( North Indian) Sangameswar 725 AD
Papanath temple 680 AD Virupakhsa 740 AD
Jambulinga Galagnath
Karsedesvar Sunmeswar
Kasinath Jain temple

Papanath & Virupaksha : Larger & more important

• Chalukyans changed from Vaisnavism to Saivism >> later temples dedicated to shiva
Hindu Architecture under Chalukya:2nd phase (600-750 AD)
Papanath temple at Pattadakal : 680 AD Axial planning +Symmetric
Antarala

Sub porch

Rekhanagar Shikhara
Hindu Architecture under Chalukya:2nd phase (600-750 AD)
Papanath temple at Pattadakal : 680 AD
Hindu Architecture under Chalukya:2nd phase (600-750 AD)
Papanath temple at Pattadakal …
Interior provides heavy treatment : like in rock cut
examples
Heavy cornice and bold string courses round the
structure
Repetitive niches on exterior wall >> like bas relief
of Shrines
Prematurity :
Plan is still disproportionate
Vestibule presented as supplementary supplementary assembly hall
assembly hall
Resulted disproportionate elevation (volume
composition) : long structure preceding
Garbagriha
Last example of southern shrine adorned with a
shikhara…..is PAPANATH TEMPLE at Pattadkal
Hindu Architecture under Chalukya:2nd phase (600-750 AD)

Virupakhsa temple at Pattaldakal : 740 AD

 Built by Vikramadhitya II to celebrate victory

over Pallava
 Dedicated to Shiva, in the immediate
neighbourhood of Papanath
 With increasing dominances of Chalukyan, got
access to skilled craftsmen of Pallavas
 Improvement in architectural composition >>
better plan proportioning
 Length 120 ft from front of portico to rear wall
 Junction of garbagriha and mandapa internally
and externally
 3 functional porticos on three sides of
mandapa
 Garbha griha with more acceptable form of
Southern Vimana
Hindu Architecture under Chalukya:2nd phase (600-750 AD)
Virupakhsa temple in Dravidian style at Pattaldakal : 740 AD
Hindu Architecture under Chalukya:2nd phase (600-750 AD)
Virupakhsa temple at Pattaldakal : 740 AD

• Separate nandi pavilion

• Contained within walled enclosure entered by appropriate
gateway
• Interior solidity characteristics but relieved by sculptural
ornamentation
• Detailing on mouldings, pilasters, cornices, brackets, etc.
• Technical skill with mythology
• Heavy cornice and bold string courses round the structure
• Repetitive niches on exterior wall >> Dravidian nature
• A structure rising above the back of each porch >> Embryo
Gopuram >>monumental gateway that dominates
approaches to Dravidian temple

Satisfactory effect is achieved by treating nos. units

as a single which gives COHERANCE and RYTHAMIC
grouping of its parts
Mallikarjuna temple in dravidian style and Kashi Vishwanatha temple in
nagara style at Pattadakal, built 740 CE
CENTRAL HINDU STYLE…….RASTRAKUTA STYLE (8th C)

Rastrakuta emerge in power in 757

AD: overtook part of Chalukyan empire
Main area : western ghat (around
Bombay)
> places of Buddhist Rock cut caves
Like Ajanta, Ellora, Karle

Under Rastrakut, the rock cut

architecture rejuvenated for Hindu
Architecture
Excavations of cave temples at
Ancient island of Ghorapuri (Modern
Elephanta)
Rock cut Kailash temple at Ellora
CENTRAL HINDU STYLE…….RASTRAKUTA STYLE (8th C)

Rastrakut Period (AD 757-973)

Elephanta cave
 CENTRAL HINDU STYLE…….RASTRAKUTA STYLE (8th C)
Rastrakut Period (AD 757-973)
Lies on Elephanta island near Bombay
Measurement : 130 ft square
3 Entrances leading to collonaded hall (Mandapa)
Mandapa spaced out by column forming isles of varying width >> not in grid
The shrine kept at side aisle instead of opposite to main entrance
Gigantic sculpture of Trimurti at rear wall opp. to M. entrance >> three headed
Maheshmurti at middle
Presence of ponds and Recess elements
>> water ritual / Naga
CENTRAL HINDU STYLE…….RASTRAKUTA STYLE (8th C)

Rastrakut Period (AD 757-973)

Kailash Temple at Ellora

Kailash Shiva’s paradise,

planned in ascending height
giving shape of a mountain

So Larger structure, ever

could have been constructed
thro’ stone masonry of 8th c

Carving from top to down

and entire surface was
covered with white
gesso…..giving brilliant
shine at that time, looks like
snow clad peak of mount
Kailash
CENTRAL HINDU STYLE…….RASTRAKUTA STYLE (8th C)

Rastrakut Period (AD 757-973)

Kailash Temple at Ellora Rock cut edifice at Ellora:
Located near Rastrakut capital Kalkhed

60 miles from Ajanta

Early phase: mere variation of Badami and
Elephanta caves added to existing group of
Buddhist caves
Kailash temple (800 AD)
The greatest architectural achievement of the
Rastrakuta >> patronage of King krishna I
A living rock replica of structural temple by
cutting rock >> received Pallava craftmanship
Overall scheme 300ftx 175ft x ht 100ft
Double storey entrance gateway leading into
cloistered courtyard
Courtyard contains main temple, nandi pavilion,
dhwaja stambhas
CENTRAL HINDU STYLE…….RASTRAKUTA STYLE (8th C)

• The rock cut at Ellora:

• Main temple has west entrance
• Main Temple Plan occupies roughly 150 x
100 ft
• 25ft high plinth with frieze of carved lions &
elephants between mouldings
• Cruciform central aisle,
• Four coulmn set in each corner in main hall
• Garbagriha approached through vestibule
• Vimana- three tiered and rises to 95 ft
• The composition of of the cornices, pilasters,
niches and porticos and other detailings
looks magnificient
• Nandi pavilion 20ft square raised to ht of 50
ft
• bridge connection with main temple and
entrance >> vanished now
• Two 51 ft high dhwaja stambha flanking in
front
• Stucco workers once
HOYASALA STYLE
CENTRAL HINDU STYLE [Later Chalukyan or Hoysala
Architecture]
Contribution of new dimension to the temple architecture……HOYSALA STYLE

Entirely different from early temple style

Star shape plan in place of simple square plan
Use of Vimana Shikhara roof

Star shape profile is achieved by rotating the same simple square plan
around its own axis and turning its diagonal thro’ a series of equal angle
Zig Zag surface treatment
Temple stands on high plinth/ platform called JAGATI
Main temple parts:
Garbha Griha
Vestibule
Sukhanasi, connected to pillared hall called NAVARANGA
Isolated Nandi mandapa/ open pillared Pavilion called MUKHA
MANDAPA, placed in front of Navaranga
CENTRAL HINDU STYLE [Later Chalukyan or Hoysala
Architecture]
Contribution of new dimension to the temple architecture……HOYSALA STYLE

No use of mortar
Stability was achieved by accurate fitting of stone block with precisely
cut mortise and tenon joint
Trabeated system
Use of very fine stone …..green or bluish black chlorite which is suitable
for carving

Eg. Chennakesav Temple at Belur

Hoysaleswar Temple at Halebid, karnataka
Keshav Temple at Somnathpur
CENTRAL HINDU STYLE [Later Chalukyan or Hoysala
Architecture]
Contribution of new dimension to the temple architecture……HOYSALA STYLE

Hoysaleswar Temple at Halebid, karnataka

Incomplete double temple stand on high

plinth (1.5m)
Each block measures 34 x 30m with height
7.5m
Both has star shape stellate plan
Sanctuary with attached hall, but no tower
Nandi Mandapa or open pillared pavillion
Row of beautiful geese at eye level
It has 4 entrance……2 to each temple
Entrance is flanked by 2 small pavillion on
either sides of steps
Mandapa (hall) in Hoysaleshvara Temple at Halebidu
CENTRAL HINDU STYLE [Later Chalukyan or Hoysala
Architecture]
Contribution of new dimension to the temple architecture……HOYSALA STYLE

Keshav Temple at Somnathpur

Famous tripled temple of 1268 AD
Entrance through a Gopuram, leads to rectangular courtyard
Star shaped plan stand on high plinth
Shikhara missing in many Hoysala styled temples, is found in
this temple
3 shikhara over three cellas
Symmetrical planning
Through the Columns Somnathpur
Thank you