Dravidian architecture, also known as the South Indian temple style, is a Hindu temple architectural idiom that originated in the southern Indian subcontinent, specifically in South India and Sri Lanka, and reached its pinnacle in the sixteenth century. The bulk of current constructions are found in the southern Indian states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, etc, and are mentioned in the ancient book Vastu shastra as one of three forms of temple architecture. Here we will discuss the Dravidian Architecture which will be helpful for UPSC IAS Exam preparation.

Dravidian Architecture - Features

The following are characteristics of the Dravidian Style of Architecture:

• The temple is surrounded by a high boundary wall that separates it from the rest of the site.
• The high entrance doorway in the center of the front wall is known as a gopuram.
• The temple grounds were designed in the panchayatan style, with a main temple and four subsidiary shrines.
• Vimana: The main temple tower's form. It's a geometrically rising stepping pyramid (unlike the Nagara style Shikhara that is curving).
• In Dravidian architecture, there is only one vimana on top of the main temple. In contrast to Nagara architecture, the subsidiary shrines lack vimanas.
• The word shikhara is used in the Dravida style to describe the temple's crowning aspect (which is shaped like a stupika or octagonal cupola).
• A vestibular tunnel known as antarala connected the assembly hall to the garbhagriha.
• The garbhagriha's entrance was adorned with sculptures of Dwaarpal, Mithun, and Yakshas.
• The presence of a water tank inside the temple enclosure was a distinguishing feature of Dravidian architecture.
• Subsidiary shrines might be found both within and outside of the main tower.
• The garbhagriha is usually found in the lowest tower of a temple. With the passing of time and the growth of the temple population, the town's further boundary walls were built. The highest gopuram would be found in the most recent building.
• There are seven concentric rectangular enclosure walls with gopurams at the Sriranganathar Temple in Srirangam, Tiruchirappalli. The garbhagriha is located in the central tower.
• Kanchipuram, Thanjavur (Tanjore), Madurai, and Kumbakonam are famous temple towns in Tamil Nadu.
• From the eighth through the twelfth century, temples were not only religious centres, but also governmental centres with enormous swaths of territory.

Classification of Dravidian Temples

There are basically five different shapes:

• Square, also known as kuta or caturasra;
• Rectangular, also known as shala or ayatasra;
• Elliptical, also known as gaja-prishta or elephant-backed;
• Circular, also known as vritta,
• Octagonal, also known as ashtasra.

Famous Dravidian Temples in India

• Rajaraja Chola finished the majestic Shiva temple of Thanjavur, also known as the Rajarajeswara or Brihadeshwara temple, in the Dravidian style in 1011 A.D. and it is the largest and tallest of all Indian temples.
• Gangaikondacholapuram temple was built by Rajendra I to commemorate his victory in the Gangetic delta.
• Annamalaiyar Temple in Tiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu, Meenakshi Temple in Tamil Nadu, Airavatesvara Temple in Tamil Nadu, and so on are some well-known Dravidian temples in the south.

Dravidian Architecture - Contribution of Pallavas

Under the Pallava ruler Mahendravarman, temple architecture in South India began. The temples built under the Pallava dynasty reflected the various kings' artistic preferences and may be divided into four stages chronologically:

Mahendra Group

• The initial stage of the Pallava temple architecture was the Mahendra Group.
• The temples erected under Mahendravarman's reign were mostly rock-cut structures.
• Unlike the Nagara style, where the mandapas primarily referred to the assembly hall, the temples under him were referred to as mandapas.

Narasimha Group

• The Narasimha Group was the second stage in the evolution of South Indian temple architecture.
• Intricate sculptures were carved within the rock-cut temples.
• The mandapas were now separated into different rathas under Narasimhavarman.
• The largest was known as the Dharmaraja ratha, while the smallest was known as the Draupadi ratha.
• A successor of the Dharmaraja ratha is the design of a temple in the Dravidian style of architecture.

Rajasimha Group

• Rajasimha was in charge of the temple's third stage of construction.
• Under his leadership, actual structure temples began to take the place of rock-cut temples.
• Shore Temple at Mahabalipuram, Kailashnath Temple in Kanchipuram, and others are examples.

Nandivarman Group

• During the Pallava period, the Nandivarman Group was the fourth stage of temple development.
• The temples that were constructed were lesser in size.
• The characteristics were virtually identical to those seen in temples built in the Dravidian style.

Dravidian Temple Architecture – Shore Temple – Mahabalipuram

• During the time of Pallava monarch Narasimhavarman II, also known as Rajasimha (700–728 AD), the temple was constructed.
• It has three shrines: an east-facing Shiva shrine, a west-facing Shiva shrine, and a Vishnu in Anantashayana position in the centre.
• It's unusual to have three primary shrines. It's likely that the shrines were not all constructed at the same time and were later added.
• A water reservoir and a gopuram have been discovered.
• Along the temple's walls are statues of Nandi the bull (Shiva's mount).
• There are also a number of carvings.

Dravidian Architecture - Contribution of Cholas

• The Cholas mastered the Pallava-inherited Dravidian temple style. Moving away from the Pallavas' early cave temples, the building style got increasingly ornate throughout this period.
• Stone became the most common material utilized in the construction of temples.
• Gopurams became more prevalent during this time. Carvings of various Puranas were used to embellish them.
• During the Chola dynasty, the Vimanas grew in prominence. The temple tower of Brihadeshwara temple, for example, is 66 metres tall.
• In the construction of the temple, more attention was placed on the usage of sculptures.

Dravidian Temple Architecture – Brihadiswara Temple – Tanjore

• Rajarajeswara Temple is a Shiva temple built around the year 1011 AD by Rajaraja Chola.
• This Chola temple is larger than any Pallava, Chalukya, or Pandya construction before it.
• More than 100 Chola temples have been preserved. During the Chola period, numerous temples were built.
• Its pyramidal multi-story vimana is about 70 metres tall.
• A massive shikhara stands atop the vimana.
• The shikhara is an octagonal stupika with a dome form. It features two big gopuras with intricate carvings. There are big Nandi figures on the shikhara.
• The kalasha on the shikhara's summit is 3 meters and 8 centimeters tall.
• The vimana is covered in hundreds of plaster figurines. Many of these might have been added later in the Maratha era.
• Shiva's principal deity is shown as a massive lingam in a two-story shrine.

Conclusion

Temple construction activities that began during the Gupta rule continued to thrive in later periods. The Pallavas, Cholas, Pandyas, Hoyshalas, and later the rulers of the Vijaynagar kingdom were great temple builders in southern India. Mahabalipuram's shore temple was built by the Pallava rulers. The Cholas constructed numerous temples, the most famous of which is the Brihadeshwara temple in Tanjore.

FAQs

MCQs

1. Who built the Brihadeshwara Temple?

A) Pallavas
B) Pandyas
C) Cholas
D) Cheras

2. Which feature distinguishes Dravidian architecture from Nagara architecture?

A) Curved shikharas
B) Stepped vimanas
C) Absence of gopurams
D) Flat roofs

3. What is the primary deity worshipped at the Brihadeshwara Temple?

A) Vishnu
B) Shiva
C) Brahma
D) Durga

4. Which dynasty is known for building the Shore Temple at Mahabalipuram?

A) Cholas
B) Pallavas
C) Pandyas
D) Cheras

5. What is a gopuram in Dravidian temple architecture?

A) Main deity’s shrine
B) Entrance tower
C) Water tank
D) Temple garden

GS Mains Questions and Model Answers

Q1: Discuss the evolution of Dravidian architecture from the Pallava period to the Chola period.

Model Answer: Dravidian architecture began with the Pallavas, who pioneered the rock-cut temples and monolithic rathas. The style evolved during the Chola period, with stone becoming the dominant material for temple construction. The Brihadeshwara Temple at Thanjavur exemplifies the grandeur of Chola architecture, featuring towering vimanas and intricate carvings. The addition of large gopurams and elaborate mandapas marked the shift towards a more ornate architectural style, which was further developed by the Pandyas and Vijayanagar kings.

Q2: Examine the socio-political role of temples in the Dravidian architecture tradition.

Model Answer: Temples in Dravidian architecture were not only religious centers but also served as hubs of socio-political life. They housed schools, hospitals, and administrative offices, playing a central role in governance. Kings used temple construction to legitimize their rule and assert their authority. Temples like the Brihadeshwara Temple became symbols of imperial power, while also serving as centers of economic activity, with vast landholdings managed by the temple authorities.

Q3: Analyze the artistic significance of the sculptures and carvings in Dravidian temples.

Model Answer: The sculptures and carvings in Dravidian temples are rich in symbolism and narrative detail, often depicting scenes from the Puranas and epics. These carvings reflect the cultural and religious ethos of the time, with intricate representations of gods, goddesses, and mythical creatures. The gopurams and vimanas are adorned with sculptures that showcase the technical skill and artistic sensibilities of the period. The temples also served as canvases for expressing royal patronage and devotion to deities, particularly Shiva and Vishnu.

Previous Year Questions on Dravidian Architecture

1. UPSC CSE Prelims 2021

Question: Which of the following features is unique to Dravidian temple architecture?
A) Curved shikharas
B) Gopurams
C) Step wells
D) Stupas

Answer: B

Explanation: Gopurams are large entrance towers typical of Dravidian temple architecture, distinguishing them from the curved shikharas of the Nagara style.

2. UPSC CSE Mains 2019

Question: Discuss the contributions of the Chola dynasty to temple architecture in South India.

Model Answer: The Cholas took Dravidian architecture to new heights by constructing grand temples such as the Brihadeshwara Temple. They introduced the concept of vimanas with towering heights, embellished with sculptures and carvings. Gopurams became more elaborate during their reign, reflecting the growing importance of temples as social and political centers. The use of stone for massive constructions, intricate carvings, and the prominence of linga worship marked a significant phase in South Indian temple architecture.