Temple architecture had a very rich past in India. The temples architecture in India evolved with time since ages. The temples architecture took a proper shape during Gupta age in northern India. Thera are different stages and schools developed in temple architecture. There are mainly three style of temples architecture in India; Nagara style, Dravida style and Vesara style. But there are some regional styles of temples as well.
In the southern region of India, a distinct style of temple architecture emerged under the rule of Pallavas and Cholas. Different types of sculpture arts also emerged under the rule of Chola dynasty.
Also Read: Temple Architecture in Northern India
Architecture During The Harappan Age
Ancient Edicts and Inscriptions
Temple Architecture Under Pallavas
The temple architecture under Pallavas reflected the stylistic taste of individual rulers and hence, temples architecture under Pallavas under through number of stages. In First stage, the rock-cut temples were built under the ruler of Mahendravarman and these temples were known as Mandapas. The second stage was developed under the rule of Narsimhavarman.
Under Narsimha group, the Mandapas were started to decorated with sculptures and divided into number of rathas. The biggest ratha was Dharmaraja ratha while the smallest known as Draupadi ratha which were design in Dravidian architecture style. During the third stage, proper temple architecture started to construct by replacing the rock-cut architectures under Rajsimhavarman. For example, the shore temple of Mahabalipuram.
The last stage was developed under the rule of Nandivarman and temples built during this age were smaller in size. The features of this stage temples were almost similar to the Dravidian style of architecture.
Chola Art (Dravidian Style of Temple Architecture)
The Chola ruler contributed immensely in the temple architecture as they built hundreds of temples with individual art while continuing the previous architectures like of Pallavas. The temple architecture built by Cholas was came to known as Dravidian style of temple architecture. In the Dravidian architecture, the temples were surrounded by high boundary walls.
Gopuram was the entry gate of the temples and temple premise was laid down in Panchayatan style (four subsidiary shrines along with the main deity). The spire was is in the form of a stepped pyramid that rises up linearly known as Vimana. And there was only one Vimana over the main temple, not on the subsidiary shrines. Shikara, in the shape of octagon, was the crowning element of the temple.
Antarala is the vestibular tunnel which connected the assembly hall by garbhagriha. The sculptures of Dwaarpal were placed on the entrance of garbhagriha. The presence of water-tank in temples was another important feature of Dravidian style of architecture. For example, Brihadeshwara temple at Tanjore, Gangaikonda Cholapuram temple etc.
Chola Sculpture
Cholas used sculptures for decoration purposes. The most important sculpture of Cholas is Nataraja sculpture founded at Aihole. This sculpture of Nataraja is in the posture of Tandava dance (a dance formed mythologically related to Lord Shiva). This sculpture has different postures and other features as well like Nataraja is surrounded by nimbus of glowing lights which symbolizes the vast unending cycles of time.
Thus, the temple architecture and art in the southern region took a new shape.