Evolution Of Dravidian Temple Architecture In South India

Abstract

South Indian temple architecture, also called Dravidian Style, architecture invariably employed for Hindu temples in modern Tamil Nadu from the 7th to the 18th century, characterized by its pyramidal, or kuṭina-type, tower. Variant forms are found in Karnataka (formerly Mysore) and Andhra Pradesh states. The South Indian temple consists essentially of a square-chambered sanctuary topped by a superstructure, tower, or spire and an attached pillared porch or hall (maṇḍapa, or maṇṭapam), enclosed by a peristyle of cells within a rectangular court. The external walls of the temple are segmented by pilasters and carry niches housing sculpture. The superstructure or tower above the sanctuary is of the kuṭina type and consists of an arrangement of gradually receding stories in a pyramidal shape. Each story is delineated by a parapet of miniature shrines, square at the corners and rectangular with barrel-vault roofs at the centre. The tower is topped by a dome-shaped cupola and a crowning pot and finial. The origin and evolution of temple architecture has been covered in and around seven regional kingdoms. The present study deal with temple structure and evolution of structural changes from the beginning. The origin of temple structure has not framed in given period, it’s a huge prehistorical continuity. If we start from cave temple its involve cultural, social and religious beliefs reflects.