EVOLUTION OF DRAVIDIAN ARCHITECTURE

CHOLAS(AD 900 - 1150)

PANDYAS(AD 1100 – 1350)

VIJAYANAGAR(AD 1350 - 1565)

MADURA(AD 1600 -)

Imperial Chola rulers of Tanjoredeveloped the Dravidian style of

temple architecture almost to perfection.

PALLAVAS(AD 600 – 900

DRAVIDIAN ARCHITECTURE UNDER CHOLAS(900-1150 AD)

•The two magnificent temples at Tanjore and Gangaikonda Cholapuramin Tiruchirapalli District built in early 11th century A.D. show the best of Chola art. •The cholas desired something granduer in conception to immortalisetheir glory.•Raja Raja Chola built brihadeshwara temple, Tanjore. The size of the temple was huge and the tower itself 190ft high. It is the greatest step taken by Rajaraja chola in the evolution of temple architecture in the south. •Rajendra Chola built a temple at GangaiKonda Cholapuram which is also equally famous. King Rajendra Chola added credit to the Chola art and architecture.• King Kulothunga I built a temple for Sun God at Kumbakonam. This temple is first of its kind in the south Indian architecture. Rajaraja II built Airavatheeswarar temple at Dharasuram.

BRIHADESWARA TEMPLE, TANJORE

An artist’s sketch of Vimana and mandapa of Brihadeshwara temple

•The Brihadeswara or Rajarajeswara Temple of Shiva in Tanjore built by Rajaraja Chola in 1010 A.D. is the largest and highest of Chola temples and stands as a symbol of Cholagreatness.

Plan of Brihadeshwara temple, Tanjore

GARBHAGRIHAPRADAKSHINAPATH

ANTHARALA

PILLARED MANDAPA 1

PILLARED MANDAPA 2

ARDHAMANTAPA/PILLARED PORCH

GOPURAM

NANDIPAVILION

PRAKARA

N

E

Plan of Brihadeshwara temple

Section of Brihadeshwara temple

Section of Brihadeshwara temple

View of Brihadeshwara temple, Tanjore

Nandi, Brihadeshwara temple, Tanjore

Pillars , Brihadeshwara temple, Tanjore

BRIHADESWARA TEMPLE, GANGAIKONDACHOLAPURAM

•The temple Shiva at Gangaikonda Cholapuram built by Rajendra 1 Chola (1018 to 1033 A.D.) is another line piece of temple architecture.• Massive grandeur and huge structures decorated with minute sculptures are characteristics of Chola art.

Plan of Brihadeshwara temple, Gangaikondacholapuram

Plan of Brihadeshwara temple, Gangaikondacholapuram

Brihadeshwara temple, Gangaikondacholapuram

Comparision of temples at Tanjavur, Gangaikondacholapuramand Darasuram