Dravidian Style of Temple Architecture

QUESTION 1

List out the characteristics of the Dravidian style of temple architecture. Discuss the contribution of the Chola Dynasty with reference to temple architecture. (250 words, 15 marks)

Introduction:

The Dravidian architectural style is associated with the temples of southern India or Deccan. This style of temple architecture was widespread in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and northern Tamil Nadu.

Body:

Characteristics of Dravidian Temple Architecture

·       The temple is enclosed within a compound wall.

·       The front wall has an entrance gateway in its center, which is known as a gopuram.

·    The shape of the main temple tower, vimana, is like a stepped pyramid that rises up geometrically.

·      The word ‘shikhara’ is used only for the crowning element at the top of the temple which is usually shaped like a small stupika or an octagonal cupola.

·       Large water reservoir or a temple tank is enclosed within the complex.

·      The subsidiary shrines are either incorporated within the main temple tower or located  as distinct, separate small shrines beside the main temple.

·  The gopurams have been even loftier for example in the Srirangam temple in Tiruchirapally has as many as seven ‘concentric’ rectangular enclosure walls, each with gopurams.

Contribution of the Chola Dynasty to the Temple Architecture

·      The Great Living Chola Temples were built by kings of the Chola Empire, which stretched over all of south India and the neighboring islands.

·  Temples also started becoming the focus of urban architecture. Kanchipuram, Thanjavur or Tanjore, Madurai and Kumbakonam are the most famous temple towns of Tamil Nadu.

·     The three Great Chola Temples are an exceptional and the most outstanding testimony to the development of the architecture of the Chola Empire and the Tamil civilisation in Southern India.

                            i.    The gigantic Brihadeshwara Temple in Thanjavur is perhaps one of the finest
          examples of the Cholas’ artistic brilliance.

                           ii.   The Brihadeshvara temple complex at Gangaikondacholapuram.

                     iii. The Airavatesvara temple complex, built by Rajaraja II, at Darasuram, features a 24-m vimana and a stone image of Shiva which testify to the brilliant achievements of the Chola in architecture, sculpture, painting and bronze casting.

Conclusion:

The doyen of South Indian history, NilakanthaSastri, in his 1955 book The Cholas, writes that under Rajaraja I and his successors, the Chola Empire had reached the capacity of ‘Byzantine royalty’ “with its numerous palaces, officials and ceremonials and its majestic display of the concentrated resources of an extensive empire.”  Temples architecture was definitely an important part of their history.