Dravida Temples: South India’s Architectural Marvels

Introduction:

The Dravidian style of architecture, prevalent in Southern India, is characterized by towering gopurams, intricately carved pillared halls, and vimanas atop temples. It embodies a unique and ornate design.

Architectural Distinctions of Dravida Temples: 

• New Features:Dravida temples, in contrast to nagara temples, are enclosed within a compound wall.
• Gopuram: The entrance wall boasts a central gateway known as a gopuram.
• Structural Changes: The vimana, the main temple tower in Tamil Nadu, takes the form of a geometrically rising stepped pyramid, differing from the curving shikhara of North India.

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Shikhara: Exploring South Indian Temple Architecture

• Shikhara: In South Indian temples, the term ‘shikhara’ refers only to the crowning element, usually shaped like a small stupika or an octagonal cupola (equivalent to the amlak and kalasha of North Indian temples).
• Guards: Entrance sculptures typically depict fierce dvarapalas (door-keepers) guarding the temple.
• Water Reservoir: Temple complexes often include large water reservoirs or temple tanks.

Evolution of Temple Size

• Differentiating Elements: Unlike North Indian temples with clusters of shikharas, South Indian temples often have the main temple with one of the smallest towers, indicating its historical significance.
• Huge Gopuram: Over time, as towns expanded, new boundary walls with loftier gopurams were constructed around the temple.
• Example: Srirangam temple in Tiruchirapalli showcases multiple concentric rectangular enclosure walls, each with gopurams of varying heights.

Urbanization and Administrative Centers

• Main Areas: Temples in TamilNadu, such as those in Kanchipuram, Thanjavur, Madurai, and Kumbakonam, became focal points of urban architecture.
• Transformation: Temples transformed into rich administrative centers, exerting control over extensive land areas during the eighth to twelfth centuries.

Classification of Dravida Temples

• Dravida temples are categorized into five shapes: 
• Square (kuta or caturasra), 
• Rectangular (shala or ayatasra), 
• Elliptical (gaja-prishta or vrittayata), 
• Circular (vritta), and 
• Octagonal (ashtasra).
• The choice of temple plan and vimana shape is influenced by the iconographic nature of the consecrated deity.

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Conclusion

• With its distinctive features and spiritual significance, the Dravida style continues to inspire awe and reverence, serving as a testament to the enduring legacy of South Indian craftsmanship and devotion.