Dravida Style Architecture

Dravida Style Architecture: A Journey Through History

Dive into the grandeur of Dravida and Vesara styles of South Indian temple architecture, with a special focus on temples like Brihadeshwara and Meenakshi, and their rich cultural and architectural significance.

• The Dravida or South Indian Temple Style

  

  • Enclosed Structure: Unlike the nagara temple, the dravida temple is enclosed within a compound wall.
  • Entrance Gateway: The front wall has an entrance gateway at the center, known as a gopuram.
  • Main Temple Tower: The main temple tower, known as vimana in Tamil Nadu, is shaped like a stepped pyramid that rises geometrically.
  • Shikhara in South India: In South Indian temples, the word ‘shikhara’ refers to the crowning element at the top, usually shaped like a small stupika or octagonal cupola, similar to the amlak and kalasha of North India.
  • Sculptures at the Entrance: While North Indian temples have images like mithunas and river goddesses (Ganga and Yamuna), South Indian temples typically have sculptures of fierce dvarapalas (door-keepers) guarding the temple.

  

  • Water Reservoir: It is common to find a large water reservoir or temple tank enclosed within the temple complex.
  • Subsidiary Shrines: Subsidiary shrines are either incorporated within the main temple tower or located as separate small shrines beside the main temple.
  • Temple Layout: Unlike North India, the South Indian temple does not have multiple shikharas clustered together. The main temple often has one of the smallest towers, typically the oldest part of the temple.
  • Temple Evolution: Over time, as the population grew, new boundary walls were built taller, and the gopurams became loftier. For example, the Srirangam temple in Tiruchirapally has seven concentric rectangular enclosure walls, each with gopurams.
  • Urban Role of Temples: Temples in South India, particularly in towns like Kanchipuram, Thanjavur, Madurai, and Kumbakonam, became rich administrative centers, controlling vast areas of land.

  

• Subdivisions of Dravida Temples
  • Five Main Shapes: Dravida temples are of five different shapes:
    • Square (kuta/caturasra): Also called caturasra.
    • Rectangular (shala/ayatasra): Also known as ayatasra.
    • Elliptical (gaja-prishta): Derived from apsidal chaityas with a wagon-vaulted shape.
    • Circular (vritta): A circular plan.
    • Octagonal (ashtasra): An octagonal plan.
  • Iconographic Nature: The plan of the temple and shape of the vimana were often conditioned by the iconographic nature of the consecrated deity.
  • Subdivisions Variation: While these shapes are a general differentiation, several different shapes may be combined in specific periods and places to create unique styles.

  

• The Pallava Dynasty and their Temples
  • Rise of the Pallavas: The Pallavas, active in the Andhra region from the second century CE, moved south to Tamil Nadu and were influential from the sixth to the eighth century.
  • Influence and Expansion: Their empire extended to parts of Odisha, with strong links to South–East Asia.
  • Buddhist Influence: The Pallavas, mostly Shaivite, were influenced by the long Buddhist history of the Deccan.
  • Rock-Cut vs Structural Buildings: Early Pallava buildings were rock-cut, while later ones were structural, although structural buildings existed even during the rock-cut period.
  • Notable Pallava Rulers: Narasimhavarman I (Mamalla) expanded the empire and was instrumental in the construction at Mahabalipuram, which became known as Mamallapuram.
• The Shore Temple at Mahabalipuram

  

  • Construction Period: The Shore Temple at Mahabalipuram was likely built during the reign of Narasimhavarman II (700–728 CE).
  • Orientation and Shrines: The temple faces the east and houses three shrines: two to Shiva (one facing east and the other west) and a middle one to Vishnu.
  • Multiple Shrines: This arrangement is unusual, as temples typically have a single main shrine. The addition of different shrines over time suggests changes in patronage.
  • Architectural Features: The compound includes a water tank, early gopuram, and numerous sculptures of Nandi (Shiva's mount).

  

  • Environmental Erosion: The sculptures and carvings on the temple walls have been damaged by erosion caused by salt-water laden air.
• The Brahadeeshwarar (Rajarajeswara) Temple, Thanjavur

  

  • Construction and Size: The Brahadeeshwarar temple was completed around 1009 CE by Rajaraja Chola and is the largest and tallest of all Indian temples.
  • Vimana and Shikhara: The pyramidal multi-storeyed vimana is 70 meters tall, topped with a monolithic shikhara shaped like an octagonal stupika.
  • Gopurams: Two large gopuras with elaborate sculptural programs were created alongside the temple.
  • Stucco Figures: The vimana is decorated with hundreds of stucco figures, though some might have been added during the Maratha period.
  • Main Deity: The main deity, Shiva, is represented by a massive lingam set in a two-storeyed sanctum.
  • Mythological Narratives: The walls surrounding the sanctum feature extended mythological narratives depicted through painted murals and sculptures.

Introduction to Deccan Architecture

• Introduction to Deccan Architecture
  • In regions like Karnataka, temple architecture was influenced by both North and South Indian styles.
  • While some scholars categorize the buildings as either nagara or dravida, a hybrid style known as vesara became popular after the mid-seventh century.
• Ellora Temples and Rashtrakutas
  • The Kailashnath temple at Ellora, built during the Rashtrakuta dynasty, is one of the most significant achievements in Deccan architecture.

  

  • It is a complete dravida temple with features like a Nandi shrine, gopuram-like gateway, surrounding cloisters, subsidiary shrines, and an imposing tower.
  • Notably, the entire temple was carved out of living rock, showcasing the pinnacle of rock-cut architecture.
  • The sculpture of the Rashtrakuta phase at Ellora is dynamic, with figures often larger than life and filled with grandeur.
• Chalukya Architecture in Karnataka

  

  • The Western Chalukyas, led by Pulakesin I, established their kingdom around Badami in 543.
  • Their early activity was seen in rock-cut caves, followed by structural temples like the Ravana Phadi cave at Aihole.
  • One of the most important sculptures at Aihole is of Nataraja, surrounded by larger-than-life depictions of the saptamatrikas.

  

  • Chalukyan architecture is known for incorporating various regional styles, creating hybridized temples such as the Virupaksha temple at Pattadakal.
  • The Durga temple at Aihole features a unique apsidal shrine, reminiscent of Buddhist chaitya halls, with a later shikhara similar to the nagara style.

  

• Hoysala Architecture
  • The Hoysalas became prominent in South India after the decline of the Cholas and Pandyas, with their temples often called vesara, as they combined elements of both dravida and nagara styles.
  • The most famous Hoysala temples are at Belur, Halebid, and Somnathpuram.

  

  • Hoysala temples are known for their complex star-shaped plans, made from soapstone, which allowed intricate carvings, especially of gods' jewelry.
  • The Hoysaleshvara temple at Halebid, dedicated to Shiva as Nataraja, is a double building with a hall for music and dance.
  • The intricate carvings on the frieze, such as a procession of elephants, are some of the finest examples of Hoysala craftsmanship.

  

• Vijayanagara Architecture
  • Founded in 1336, Vijayanagara became an influential kingdom known for its synthesis of dravida temple architecture and Islamic styles.
  • The architecture of Vijayanagara represents an era of wealth, exploration, and cultural fusion.
  • Vijayanagara temples showcase a mix of Chola ideals with foreign influences, reflecting the kingdom's diverse cultural interactions.