The south indian temple consists essentially of a squarechambered sanctuary topped by. Temple architecture devalaya vastu part five 5 of 9. Among the kings of chola dynasty, rajaraja chola was a great ruler, who gave the great boost to the chola sculptures and architecture. The maturity and grandeur to which the chola architecture had evolved found expression in the two temples of thanjavur and gangaikondacholapuram.
Pdf art and architecture of the regional styles 750 ad to c. The dravidian architecture can mainly be seen through the temples. Built on a scale appropriate enough to house the presiding deity, sri brihadeesvara, or the lord of the universe, the temple continues to excite wonder at its many unique architectural features and living presence as a centre of saiva devotion. The temple shiva at gangaikonda cholapuram built by rajendra 1 chola 1018 to 1033 a. The nagara or north indian temple style the style of temple architecture that became popular in northern india is. The trip to south india is incomplete without paying a visit to the temples. The temple is entered through an elaborately ornamented takaratorana that forms. The cholas ruled the deccan and emerged victorious among many other kingdoms such as pallavas, pandyas, chalukyas, rashtrakutas. This town is nown for rajarajeswaram or airavateswara temple, which is one among the great living chola temples along with brihadeswara temple. Similar to other shrines, this airavatesvara temple.
Nagaesh wvara, brihadesh wvara and airavatesh wara temples in tanjorethanjavur region represent the zenith of chola architectural style. Middle chola temples rajaraja i to kulottunga i ad 985 1070. The dvarapalas, or guardian figures, at the entrance to the mandapa, or hall which started from the palava period became a unique feature of the chola temples the dravidian style got fully developed after a transition from the rock cut structures of the pallava period. The temple has a humble entrance which leads to the main shrine of the lingamurti, a. The unique temple design is recognized as nityavinoda, perpetual entertainment in mind. Spend a full day in thanjavur, the 11thcentury capital of the chola empire. The chola school of art also spread to southeast asia and influenced the architecture and art of southeast asia. King rajendra chola added credit to the chola art and architecture.
The splendid shiva temple located in thanjavur is the best example for material achievements during the reign of rajaraja chola. Aug 24, 2017 a 10th century edifice, it was built by the devout chembian mahadevi, grand mother of rajaraja chola. It literally means wombhouse and is a cave like sanctum. Files are available under licenses specified on their description page. The cholas were prolific temple builders right from the times of the first king vijayalayachola. The temple architecture evolved from the early cave temples and monolith temples of mamallapuram to the kailasanatha and vaikuntaperumal temples of kanchipuram. During the chola occupation of northern sri lanka between 993 and 1070, at least. This chola temple is special in many ways the hindu. The earliest and most remarkable evidence of indian architecture is found in the cities of the harappan civilization which boast of a unique town planning. Nobody knows exactly when the first chola kings took power in the southern point of india, but certainly, the chola dynasty was established by the third century bce, because they are mentioned in one of ashoka the greats stelae. Origin of the style, salient features of art and architecture origin of the style the hoysala temple art and architecture is an important architectural feature of indian art history in general and karnataka in.
It is the greatest step taken by rajaraja chola in the evolution of temple architecture in the south. Chola, temple, architecture collection opensource language. A 10th century edifice, it was built by the devout chembian mahadevi, grand mother of rajaraja chola. Gone gopinatha rao 1910 nilakantha l eslie c orr 109 cholas, pandyas, a nd i mperial temple culture in m. A new development was the addition of a gateway or gopuram to the walled enclosure of the temple. The chola dynasty was one of the longest ruling dynasties in the history of southern india, they utilised their prodigious wealth earned through their extensive conquests in building longlasting stone temples and exquisite bronze sculptures. Completed between early 11th and the 12th century ce, the monuments include the brihadisvara temple at thanjavur, the temple of gangaikonda cholapuram and the airavatesvara temple at. All these three temples are the living example of the brilliant art and architecture of the chola dynasty. The best example ofchola temple architecture is the brihadeswara temple at tanjore. They built beautiful dravidian monuments at ellora and elephanta now known as maharashtra, such as the jaina narayana temple, navalinga temple and the kailasanatha temple, in the rock cut architecture style. Chola, temple, architecture collection opensource language english. Chola architecture brihadeeswara temple thanjavur ad the brihadeeswara temple at tanjavur was.
The muktesvara temple the muktesvara temple is regarded as a gem of orissan architecture. Culture and heritage monuments chola temples know india. Great living chola temples unesco world heritage centre. Temple building received great impetus from the conquests and the genius of rajaraja chola and his son rajendra chola i. For lovers of tamil art, architecture, music, dance, poetry history. In the earliest temples, it was a small cubical structure with a single entrance. Chola art and style of architecture india the destiny. Early chola temples parantaka i to rajaraja i ad 907 985. The brihadeesvara temple stands as a supreme example of chola architecture.
Chola southern india from the later half of the 9th century till the beginning of the th century kingdom of polonnaruwa, sri lanka the 8th century 10 concepts. Temple building received great impetus from the conquests and the genius of rajaraja chola and his son rajendra. The vimanam of this temple, in contrast to the rigid pyramidal structure of the brihadeeswara temple, rises up in a concave manner with fluid lines. Kallie szczepanski is a history teacher specializing in asian history and culture.
Temple architecture and sculpture hindu, buddhist and jain. D the son of sundara chola parantakaaii and vanavanmahadevi built this magnificent temple named brihadisvaram at tanjore the capital of chola dynasty. Sacred river ganges elements of hindu architecture. Great living chola temples, tamil nadu tourism of india. An encyclopaedia of hindu architecture internet archive. Pdf this study focuses on coastal regions of tamil nadu art and architecture. Temple architecture in india ncert notes pdf download. Bridhadishwara temple, unesco world heritage site, thanjavur tanjore, tamil nadu, india, asia.
The great living chola temples were built by kings of the chola empire, which stretched over all of south india and the neighbouring islands. Thanjavur, gangaikondacholapuram and darasuram on 22nd april 1010, the 25th regnal year of the chola king arunmolivarmanbetter known by his title rajaraja, the king of kingsinstalled a goldplated potfinial on the summit of a monumental new temple in the city of thanjavur, consecrating one of the grandest temples ever built in india. Many distinctive features that we find in the architecture today developed throughout the long period of indian history. Like the other temples, airavatesvara temple is also known for its architecture. Chola temple architecture chola art was an extension of the pallava era cholas building several 100 temples, some of which were modest in size while others were massive with vimanas or gopuras chola architecture is epitomised by the temple of koranganatha at trichinopoly constructed by parantaka i. It features a 24m vimana and a stone image of siva. King rajaraja chola constructed the brihadisvara temple in 10th.
The temple construction and architecture is still a surprise to the present engineers. Chola temple architecture chola art was an extension of the pallava era cholas building several 100 temples, some of which were modest in size while others were massive with vimanas or gopuras chola architecture is epitomised by the temple of koranganatha at trichinopoly constructed by parantaka i 907949 ad. An imposing structure the temple is the finest creation of chola craftsmen. Completed between early 11th and the 12th century ce, the monuments include the brihadisvara temple at thanjavur, the temple of gangaikonda cholapuram and the airavatesvara temple at darasuram. A low enclosure wall embellished with sculptured niches surrounds it. The temple was ornately decorated often even to the dark shrine rooms lighted only by flickering oil lamps. Nov 26, 2015 the temple has suffered severe disfiguration due to erosion by salt water laden air over the centuries. Brihadisvara, gangaikondacholapuram and airavatesvara. The site includes three great 11th and 12thcentury temples. Media in category architecture of the chola dynasty. In later period maratta and nayaks rulers constructed various shrines and gopurams of the temple. Kambaharesvarar temple was built by the king kulothunga iii 1179 ad 1216 ad. The size of the temple was huge and the tower itself 190ft high.
Nov 18, 2017 the size of the temple was huge and the tower itself 190ft high. Airavatesvara temple at darsuram the airavatesvara temple at darsuram was built by rajaraja chola ii. Set on spacious grounds and built of granite, it is an impressive structure that was the worlds tallest building at the time it was built. What links here related changes upload file special pages permanent link page. Media in category architecture of the chola dynasty this category contains only the following file. The entire rock face was cut away and a splendid temple carved like a statue for from hill side, complete with shrine room, hall gateway, votive pillars, lesser shrines, and cloisters, the whole adorned with divine figures. With heavily ornamented pillars accurate in detail and richly sculpted walls, the airavateswara temple at darasuram is a classic example of chola art and architecture. This era is frequently referred to as the chola period, after the dynasty that ruled from the region of the kaveri. Chola architecture 900 1150 adthe capital of the chola dynasty was the city of thanjavur from 836 1267 ad the great temple of thanjavur was founded by rajaraja i. These temples were not on a large scale until the end of the 10th century.
Pallavas were the first recognisable south indian dynasty who indulged in the pursuit of architectural innovations. Mar 23, 2017 chola architecture 900 1150 adthe capital of the chola dynasty was the city of thanjavur from 836 1267 ad the great temple of thanjavur was founded by rajaraja i. The chola temple architecture has been appreciated for its magnificence as well as delicate workmanship. Thanjavur chola temples brihadisvara temple gangaikondacholapuram airavatesvara temple darasuram temple architecture temple sculptures.
Cholas have incorporated sculpture into the design of their temples at 9th century. Southern india archaeological institute of america. In the evolution of the chola temple architecture we can roughly see three major phases, beginning with. Raja raja cholan the great south indian tamil king part 1. Ideavy cornices, strong pillars wide in proportion to their height and the broad base of the sikhar or tower give to indian temple architecture a feeling of strength and solidity. The front mandapam is in the form of a huge chariot drawn by horses. In this article, we shall see the details of the chola temple architecture, which is an important part of dravidian temple architecture. Massive grandeur and huge structures decorated with minute sculptures are characteristics of chola art. Chola architecture 900 1150 ad prepared by roopa chikkalgi. Rajendra chola built a temple at gangaikonda cholapuram which is also equally famous. Discuss the tandava dance as recorded in the early indian inscriptions. The best example of chola temple architecture is the. The temple testifies the brilliant achievements of the chola rajakesafi architecture, sculpture, painting, the architect and engineer of the temple was raja raja rama as stated in inscriptions found at the temple.
Brihadeeswara temple was constructed by rajaraja chola i and was designed by kunjara mallan raja rama perunthachan. The brihadisvara temples are situated at thanjavur, the ancient capital of the chola kings. Variant forms are found in karnataka formerly mysore and andhra pradesh states. Jan 05, 2019 the temple testifies the brilliant achievements of the chola rajakesafi architecture, sculpture, painting, the architect and engineer of the temple was raja raja rama as stated in inscriptions found at the temple. An illustration of a computer application window wayback machine an illustration of an open book. Another fine example of the chola temple architecture is the temple in gangaikondacholapuram, which succeeded tanjore as the capital of the chola empire. South indian temple architecture, also called dravi. It was completed around 1009 byrajaraja chola, and is the largest and tallest of all indian temples. Among the existing specimens in the various museums of the. The great living chola temples is a unesco world heritage site designation for a group of chola dynasty era hindu temples in the indian state of tamil nadu. The chola period is also remarkable for its sculptures and bronzes. Temple architecture in india ncert notes pdf download 1. Orissa are muktesvara temple, rajaranitemple and the lingaraja temple.
The temple has a humble entrance which leads to the main shrine of the lingamurti, a form that. We visit the brihadeshwara temple and fort, the crowning glory of chola temple architecture and a unesco world heritage site. Brihadeeshwara temple, of which foundations were laid by the chola king rajaraja i in 1002 ad, is probably the finest temple in tamil nadu. Arts college for women a, madurai 2 abstract the chola kings ruled from 8481280 a. The temple has suffered severe disfiguration due to erosion by salt water laden air over the centuries. Classical dance in the chola kingdom bharatanatyam music and poetry. An encyclopaedia of hindu architecture by acharya, prasanna kumar, 1890. The chapter also discussed how temples in the early medieval india were not. The first seeds of dravidian temple architecture in tamil nadu were possibly sown during this period. Jun 24, 2017 rajaraja chola and brihadiswara temple. Tevaram bronze sculptures of the chola era lost wax process architecture in the chola era temple architecture religious philosophy saivism government on government, sastri 1935. Nobody knows exactly when the first chola kings took power in the southern.
He constructed brihadiswara temple with huge architecture. The base of the temple has the pictures of dancing shiva and stone deities. Finally, various elements of ornamentation such as gavaksha, vyalayali, kalpalata, amalaka, kalasha, etc. Architecture under the cholas a special feature of the chola architecture is the purity of the artistic tradition. May 19, 2016 thanjavur chola temples brihadisvara temple gangaikondacholapuram airavatesvara temple darasuram temple architecture temple sculptures the gallery has images conveying the beauty and grandeur of the chola temples. Upsc questions related to the topic culture are not so easy to prepare. The main reason being lack of quality study materials which explain the same in simple language. The gallery has images conveying the beauty and grandeur of the chola temples. Chola architecture represents a high watermark in the evolution of temple architecture. Architecture is an important area inside the culture topic. Built in the early 11th century, the two magnificent temples at thanjavur and the gangaikonda cholapuram in tiruchirapalli district show the best of chola art and architecture.
Pdf the art and architectures along the tamil nadu coast. The dravidian style of architecture is the characteristic south indian style and is mainly found in the southern indian states of tamil nadu, karnataka, kerala, telangana, and andhra pradesh. Not only did the cholas outlast ashokas mauryan empire, they continued to rule until 1279 cemore than 1,500 years. From the epigraphical evidence it is known about rajarajai started. The magnificence and maturity with which the chola architecture evolved can easily be identified in two grandeur temples at gangaikonda cholapuram and thanjavur. The crowning achievement of ellora is the great kailasanath temple excavated on the instructions of the rastrakuta emperor karsana i.
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