South Indian Temple Architecture

It is also called as Dravidian architecture
Dravidian architecture (600AD-100AD) is an architectural idiom in Hindu temple architecture that emerged in the southern part of the India
It consists primarily of Hindu temples where the dominating feature is the high gopura or gatehouse
Majority of the existing structures are located in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Telangana.
A temple consisted of -- Vimanas, Gopurams, Mantapams and Chaultries.
Vimana It is the structure over the garbhagriha or inner sanctum in the Hindu temples of South India and Odisha in East India
 A vast gateway, which led to different parts of the temple with pillars the length of its path, was known as the Mandapam-the porch.
A Gopuram or gopura is a monumental entrance tower, usually ornate, at the entrance.
A gopuram is usually a tapering oblong in form with ground-level wooden doors, often richly decorated, providing access. 

Choultry is a resting place for travelers, visitors to a site, typically linked to Buddhist, Jain and Hindu temples.
In Southern India five kingdoms and empires stamped their influence on architecture during different times.

1. South Indian temple architecture

2. Introduction It is also called as Dravidian architecture Dravidian architecture (600AD-100AD) is an architectural idiom in Hindu temple architecture that emerged in the southern part of the India It consists primarily of Hindu temples where the dominating feature is the high  gopura  or gatehouse Majority of the existing structures are located in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and  Telangana . Mahaballipuram temple Arunalachalam temple

3. A temple consisted of -- Vimanas, Gopurams , Mantapams and Chaultries . Vimana  It is the structure over the garbhagriha or inner sanctum in the Hindu temples of South India and Odisha in East India  A vast gateway, which led to different parts of the temple with pillars the length of its path, was known as the Mandapam -the porch. Mandapa Parts of temples Vimana

4. A  Gopuram  or  gopura  is a monumental entrance tower, usually ornate, at the entrance. A gopuram is usually a tapering oblong in form with ground-level wooden doors, often richly decorated, providing access.  Choultry  is a resting place for travelers, visitors to a site, typically linked to Buddhist, Jain and Hindu temples. In Southern India five kingdoms and empires stamped their influence on architecture during different times . Gopuram Choultry

5. Can be sub-divided into two phases - the rock cut and the structural.  Pillars are the main contributions of this period. Period where order in introdused . Again rock cut phase consists of two groups – mahendra grpoup and mamalla group. Pallavas

6. Evolution of pallavan order The early pillars were the rudimentary type of beam and bracket. Introduction of an element- lion. This lion symbolized the ruling dynasty – Simhavishnu . Palagai - wide abacus Idaie - lotus form Kumba - melon capital Tadi - refined necking Kalasa - Inverted lotus Simha - lion

7. Group of monuments in Mahaballipuram Mahabalipuram temples are cave temples also known as mandapas . They were excavated, cut and then carved using chisels and iron mallets. The most notable are the Varaha Cave Temple, Krishna Cave Temple, Tiger Cave Temple, Panchapandava Cave Temple, and the Mahishasuramardini mandapa . Varaha mandapa Krishna mandapa Tiger mandapa Panchapandava mandapa Mahishasuramandhini mandapa

8. Rathas and Mantapas RATHAS are small shrines carved out of a monolithic rock. Generally Ratha is known as chariot used for carrying the image of the deity during religious procession. But here in pallava style it commonly refers to a monolithic shrine which has all the essential features of a temple including domed storey to shikhara . Mahaballipuram has the preminent rathas . Draupadi Ratha : Smallest among the group dedicated to Durga . Simplest and the most finished Arjuna Ratha : Stepped pyramid structure decorate with Kudus. High relief sculptures on external walls between pilasters Draupadi and Arjuna ratha

9. Bhima Ratha : Reproduces the Chaitya mode.   The structure is 2 stories high. The front portico consists of 4 columns. Sahadeva Nakula Ratha : The Ratha is based on ‘ Chaitya Hall’ of Buddhist temple It is apsidal end on the south side and double pillared portico on the north side. The roof is elaborately carved. Bhima ratha Nakula sahadeva ratha

10. Dharmaraja Ratha : Largest of the 5 rathas . Dedicated to Shiva. Consists of 3 stories. It is a large scale version of Arjuna Ratha with a larger no. of miniature edifices carved in the roof.  Ganesh Ratha : Dedicated to Shiva. Lion ornamenting a pier in the facade. Consists of 3 stories. Turreted roof.

11. The best examples of this phase are the Shore Temple at Mahabalipuram. It consists of two Shiva shrines having vimanas, a third shrine dedicated to Seshashayi Vishnu.  Unique feature of this temple is however its vimanas which don’t appear like stepped pyramids but rather tall slender tapering spires.  Shore temple Structural temples

12. The temple has a  garbhagriha in which the deity,  Sivalinga , is enshrined. A small  mandapa  surrounded by a heavy outer wall with little space between for circumambulation. The most distinctive feature of the temple are the  Dharalinga  and the  Somaskanda panel. The smaller Shiva temple behind the main temple is a double storied structure with a stepped pyramidal tower with an octagonal  shikhara  built over a circular  griva .  

13. Cholas The Cholas continued the temple-building traditions of the Pallava dynasty and contributed significantly to the Dravidian temple design. The capital of the Chola dynasty was the city of Thanjavur . The great temple of Thanjavur was founded by Rajaraja I  Their military and economic power reflected on the grand architectural products.

14. Early cholas Built entirely of stone  Use of well dressed granite. Brihadeeswara Temple Thanjavur The largest, highest and most ambitious project at its time – a landmark in the evolution of South Indian Architecture. dedicated to Shiva. Built by Raja Raja Chola I between 1003 and 1010 AD. It has two mandapa , namely  maha-mandapa  and  mukha-mandapa , are square plan structures axially aligned between the sanctum and the  Nandi mandapa .  It has been listed as UNESCO world heritage site.

15. The main Vimana is a huge solid block on the western end consisting of 3 parts: Square vertical base Tall tapering body Domical finial  The square base rises for 2 stories to accommodate the Linga which is elevated The hollow interior of the vimana , a view from below. Built of interlocking stones without any binding material. The built structure is so strong that even six earthquakes could just move some of the stones.

16. Pandya architecture Pandya comes after chola stlye . They usually emphasize on the gateways, GOPURAM. Gopuram is generally built rectangular. Ground and first floors with stone and the upper floors with bricks with an inclination of 25 degrees. Pinnacles called shikharas are always used in odd numbers.  Niches -- with heavily carved HINDU Mythologies sculptures. One of the greatest examples of this architecture is meenakshi temple in madurai .

17. Meenakshi amman temple, Madurai The temple complex is the center of the old city of Madurai.