SOUTH INDIAN TEMPLE ARCHITECTURE
Evolution of South Indian temples –
• Temple architecture in South India began under Pallava
rulers but it reached its climax under the Chola rulers
(Mainline Cholas).
• Initially rock cut cave architecture was created but later
real structural temples were created.
Stages of evolution
1st Stage (Mahendravarman Stage) - In this stage ruck cut
cave architecture was created inside which deity was placed.
This structure was known as Mandap.
2nd Stage (Narsimhavarman Stage) - In this stage the rock
cut cave architecture was refined and chiseled out from
outside to give it a proper shape. Now the structure came to
be known as Ratha temple.
Example - Pandava Rath (Dharmaraj Rath, Arjuna Rath, Bhima
Rath, ...), Parvati Rath, etc.
They all are in Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu.
3rd Stage (Rajsinhavarman Stage) - At this stage real
structural temples were created. A new type of tower
, was created in this stage known as Vimana. It is said
that this stage gave rise to Dravida Style of Temple
Architecture.
Example - Shore temple (Mahabalipuram), Kailashnath
temple (Kanchipuram), etc.
4th Stage (Nandiverman Stage) - In this stage no big
temples were created but it led to the popularisation of
Dravida Style of temples.
Dravida Style of Temple Architecture
Evolution of South Indian temples –
• Temple architecture in South India began under Pallava
rulers but it reached its climax under the Chola rulers
(Mainline Cholas).
• Initially rock cut cave architecture was created but later
real structural temples were created.
Stages of evolution
1st Stage (Mahendravarman Stage) - In this stage ruck cut
cave architecture was created inside which deity was placed.
This structure was known as Mandap.
2nd Stage (Narsimhavarman Stage) - In this stage the rock
cut cave architecture was refined and chiseled out from
outside to give it a proper shape. Now the structure came to
be known as Ratha temple.
Example - Pandava Rath (Dharmaraj Rath, Arjuna Rath, Bhima
Rath, ...), Parvati Rath, etc.
They all are in Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu.
3rd Stage (Rajsinhavarman Stage) - At this stage real
structural temples were created. A new type of tower
, was created in this stage known as Vimana. It is said
that this stage gave rise to Dravida Style of Temple
Architecture.
Example - Shore temple (Mahabalipuram), Kailashnath
temple (Kanchipuram), etc.
4th Stage (Nandiverman Stage) - In this stage no big
temples were created but it led to the popularisation of
Dravida Style of temples.
Dravida Style of Temple Architecture
