Indian architecture in concept and execution

Case Study of Dravidian Temple Architecture

Types of Indian Temple Architecture

Nagara

Dravida

Kalinga

Maru-Gujara

Chalukya Hoysala

Indian Temple Architecture

FEATURES

Gopuram: an elaborate gateway of south Indian temples, in the form of a tower.

Jagati: the platform on which the temple is erected.

Mandapa: a pillared hall for public rituals.

Antarala: an antechamber between the garbhagriha and the mandapa in north Indian temples.

Garbhagriha: the sanctum sanctorum where the presiding deity is kept.

Shikhara or Vimana: the tower over the garbhagriha

Dravidian vs. Nagara Temple Architecture

Dravidian architecture important features are the vimana and gopuram. Vimana is tall pyramidal tower consisting of several progressively smaller storeys, the peak of the vimanas is known as sikhara in south indian temples.

Gopurams the welcoming gate became taller and taller overpowering the main shrine and its super structure and dominating the whole temple complex.

In Nagara the beehived shaped tower is the most distinguished element called as shikhara.

The gateways are in the North and they are plain simple and small.

Nagara style vs Dravidian style

TEMPLES OF SOUTH INDIA

Introduction to Dravidaian Temple Architecture

Pallava (600-900AD)

Chola (900-1150 AD)

Pandya (1100-1350 AD)

Vijayanagara (1350-1565 AD)

Nayaka (from 1600 AD)

Pallavas vs. Cholas

Dravidian architectures foundation laid

Pallavas great patrons of art and architecture

They used architecture to legitimize their rule by richly endowing the shrines and by naming the edifices after their kings. As a result, a complex relationship began to grow between the temple, community and the king.

Two phases

Mahendra and Mammala (610-690)

Rajasimha and Nandivarman (690-900)

Golden age for Dravidian architecture.

Proclaim their power through arts

Used temple to make unequivocal statement about their political hegemony.

Brihadisvara temple (a royal monument of power)

FACTS:

Built by Raja Raja Chola

One of tallest (210 fts high) and largest tower in India

Temple was built per ancient texts called Vaastu Shastras and Agamas

Brihadeeshwara Temple

FEATURES

Axial and Symmetrical geometry rules temple layout.

The Kumbam (Kalasha or Chikharam) (apex or the bulbous structure on the top) of the temple is carved out of a single stone and it weighs around 80 tons

Kumbam raised to its present height by dragging on an inclined plane of 6.44 km

Inner mandapa which is surrounded by massive walls that are divided into levels by sharply cut sculptures and pilasters providing deep bays and recesses

Brihadeeshwara Temple DISTINCT FEATURES

The two large gopuras in line are first introduced here in Dravidian architecture.

The vimana is dvitala (double storied).

In the Dravida style, the Karuvarai takes the form of a miniature vimana with other features exclusive to southern Indian temple architecture such as the inner wall together with the outer wall creating a pradakshina around the garbhagriha for pradakshina. The entrance is highly decorated. The inside chamber housing the image of the god is the sanctum sanctorum, the garbhagriha The garbhagriha is square and sits on a plinth, its location calculated to be a point of total equilibrium and harmony as it is representative of a microcosm of the universe. In the center is placed the image of the deity.

Knowledge Systems

Vaastu Sastra Floor Plan

Cosmic Being

Trigonometry Placing of Kumbam on top of the pyramidal tower

Astronomy Shadow of gopuram never falls on the ground

Vastupurushamandala and Temple Plan

Vastupurushamandala derived from 3 words: Vastu refers to physical environment

Purusha refers to cosmic being

Mandala refers to diagram

Square is a very fundamental form in Hindu philosophy.

Mandala is actually a square subdivided into smaller squares in the form of a grid with each unit clearly making area of Gods.

Brihadeeshwara Temple as Padmagarbhamandala (16*16)

Most common mandalas are 64 and 81, these are common in Dravidian temples.

Brihadeeshwara Temple: Vaastu Sastra

FLOOR PLAN

Vertical Symbolism

The structure is so huge and it could signify Mt.Kailash

Horizontal Symbolism

Trigonometry

66m

It is hypothesized that the kumbam which weighs over 80 tonnes is of single rock and was rised to its present height by dragging on an inclined plane of 6.44km.

A temporary inclined plane has been constructed and demolished after construction.

Elephants have been used to drag the stone up this slope.

Mathematical Calculations

Sin=66/6440 = 0.01

F=m*g*sin

m=72574.8 kg

g=9.81 F=72574.8*9.81*0.010

F=7296.4N approx. 7.3kN

Weight a normal elephant can lift 300kg-500kg No of elephants used: 7300/400=19

Force the inclined plane has to withstand: No: of elephants*mass*g*sin+ Weight of kumbam

19*5000*9.81*0.01+7300=16619.5 N= 16.7kN

INFERENCES This shows how much force the temporary

inclined plane must withstand. Cholas should have taken huge amount of

pain in constructing this. Creating a temporary structure that could

withstand this much Force is a big deal. This clearly shows how Cholas were

distinctly ahead in architecture and practical use of mathematics.

Astronomy

They should have had a decent knowledge about path of the sun.

Combining this knowledge with their expertise in architecture they created a marvel.

Vimana doesnt cast a shadow on temple premises.

This not only shows their skill set but also the planning Cholas possessed.

The architect Kunjara Mallan Raja Raja Perunthachan should have thought of all these before hand and then executed it.

Patterns in South Indian Temples Sr. no Temples of South India Period In Plan Area Ratio

Total Area of the

temple (sq.m)

Total Wall

Area of the

temple (sq.m)

Total Wall

Area/Total, Total

Area of the

temple (%)

1 Ladh khan temple, Aihole, Karnataka 5th cent. 291.24 43.35 14.88%

2 Durga temple, Aihole, Karnataka 6th cent. 258.35 45.42 17.58%

3 Temple of papanatha, Pattadakal, Karnataka 7th cent. 199.42 58.07 29.11%

4 Temple of virupaksha, Pattadakal,Karnaataka 8th cent. 162.8 55.12 33.84%

5 Shore temple, Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu 8th cent. 32.91 20.59 62.56%

6 Jaina temple, Pattadakal, Karnataka 9th cent. 148.81 49.82 33.47%

7Brihadeshvara temple, Thanjavur, Tamil

Nadu11th cent. 2179.29 737.15

33.82%

8 Mallikarjuna temple, Sudi, Karnataka 11th cent. 176.19 78.51 44.59%

9 Gangaiacondacholapuran temple, Karnataka 11th cent. 2084 729.49 34.98%

10 Jain temple, Lakkundi, Karnataka 11th cent. 198.11 73.23 36.96%

11 Main Shrine , Itagi, Koppal district, Karnataka 12th cent. 378.72 131.98 34.98%

12Temple of kallesvara,

Kukkanur,Karnataka12th cent. 459.92 232.63 50.56%

13Virupaksha temple complex,

Hampi,Karnataka12th cent. 336.03 125.64 37.38%

14 Kesava temple, Aralguppe, Karnataka 13th cent. 472.12 214.6 45.43%

15 Isvara temple, Arisikerai, Karnataka 13th cent. 486.78 148.93 30.48%

16 Chandrasekara temple, Hampi, Karnataka 14th cent. 335.56 110.8 33.01%

17 Chandikeshawa temple, Hampi, Karnatka 14th cent. 106.21 36.62 34.42%

18 Vitthal temple, Hampi, Karnataka 15th cent. 769.04 397.54 49.95%

Patterns in Dravidian Architecture

Time vs. Area of Temple

Patterns in Dravidian Architecture

Time vs. Height of Temples

Conclusions