Dravidian architecture: Chola architecture temples at Brihadeeshwara

1. Under Cholas (900 to 1150 C.E)
INTRODUCTION
Out of the struggle for power, the Cholas finally emerged triumphant and
proceeded in course of time from about 900 C.E.
They extended their dominion as far as Ganga river in the north and included
Srilanka in south.
The period of Cholas was an age of continuous improvement of Dravidian art andThe period of Cholas was an age of continuous improvement of Dravidian art and
architecture.
They made exquisite bronze statues and everlasting temples on the banks of
Kaveri river.
The power of Cholas is such that they built ir 2300 temples in Kaveri belt
between Tiruchirapally-Tanjore- Kumbhakonam.
 Most of the temples are small size. But some of them are grander and
monumental exhibiting the vigour and glory of Cholas.

2. This was the period of many temples.
Many contemporary temples were taking shape especially in north India
Orissa, Khajuraho, Rajputana, Gujarat, Maharastra and Gwalior.
Belur and Halebid temples were also in course construction in Karnataka
state.
Some Bronze Sculptures of Cholas…..

3. EXAMPLES
Examples of large and massive temples are:
Brihadeswara temple, Thanjavur, 1010 C.E
Temple of Gangaikonda Cholapuram, 1033 C.E
Airavateswara temple at Darasuram, Kumbakonam, 12th cent. C.E
These are now UNESCO's world heritage sites. The first two temples are
described here.described here.

4. Brihadeswara temple, Thanjavur (1010 C.E)
Introduction:
 The great Brihadeswara temple of Thanjavur dedicated to Lord Siva was built and
completed ound the year 1010 C.E by the king Rajaraja Chola I, the great./
 Thanjavur also called Tanjore. The temple stands within the fort.
This is the largest, highest and most ambitious production built in granite. But
surprisingly granite is not available in the surroundings. It was brought from long
distances.
The temple is a landmark in the evolution of building art in south India. It was
completed within a record time of six years.

5. plan
The inner Prakaram of temple is 241 metres long 122 metres wide with a gopuram
on east and three ordii ary brana entrances on other sides.
The main structure is 55 metres long and the Sikhara is 60 metres high. From these
dimensions some idea of the magnitude of the work and the courage and skill required
to build may be realized.

6. Cloisters encircle on the inner face of the enclosure wall in which number of smaller
shrines are accommodated Surrounding the main temple, subsidiary shrines were built.
The main temple contains several structures combined axially and placed in the centre
of a spacious wal enclosure from east to west. The compartments are:
1. Garbhagriha
2. Vestibule
3. Inner Assembly hall
4. Assembly hall
5. Pillared portico
6. Nandi pavilion
Front hall has four rows of pillars on either side closely set and the inner hall has three
rows of pillars. Vestibule is opened on either side having steps down to the outer court
Beyond the vestibule is the sanctum the holy chamber.

7. Exterior
The main feature of the entire temple is the grand tower of the Vimana at the
western end over the sanctua which dominates everything in its vicinity.
The massive pyramidal tower rose to some 60 meters high. This is t first highest
Vimana built in India.
Other such high structures built later are- Jagannath temp Puri, 1100 C.E, whose
Sikhara rose to 61 meters high
Gol Gumbaz, Bijapur, 1660 C.E, 61 meters high

8. Double walls were built to carry the heavy load of Vimana
structure of Brihadeswara temple.
These walls combine each other at third tier to support
the tower. 50000 cubic metres of granite stone was used in
this temple complex Much of its dignity lies in simplicity of
its parts.
 The body of the Sikhara may be divided into three main
following parts.
1. Graceful domical finial
2. Tall tapering body
3. Square vertical base

9. The vertical body covers a square of 25 metres
and rises to a height of 15 metres. The plinth is
extensive moulded and engraved with inscriptions.
 Life size statues of deities like Durga, Lakshmi,
Saraswathi, Veerabhadra Natesha, Ardha nariswara
were enshrined in wall niches.
Over the basement the vertical body is divided into
two storeys by a massive horizontal cornice.
The same cornice is repeated over the second tier
Exterior….
The same cornice is repeated over the second tier
also. The structure shows strong horizontal and
vertical lines.
The walls are superbly divided into panels by
means of pilaster framing niches Deep recesses
were formed in between pilasters. Every niche was
presented with a statue.
Other ingenious devices and motifs were
combined superbly showing great invention.

10. The pyramidal body mounts up in thirteen
diminishing tiers, until the width of its apex equals one
third of its base.
On the square platform thus obtained stands the
large bulbous cupola.
The effect of this pyramidal mass is enhanced by the
rich manner of its treatment.
 It has multiple horizontal lines in diminishing tiers
and rows of ornamental shrines producing a marvelousand rows of ornamental shrines producing a marvelous
visual effect of great beauty.
Finally the striking contrast on the top of Sikhara is
the rounded cupola. Its winged niches on all sides
relieved the solidity of dome.
The monolithic octagonal dome stone is weighing 80
tons made from a single rock.
The cupola has a recessed neck resting on the
pyramidal tower

11. . It is believed that this block was rolled
and carried to the top on a specially built
ramp of six kilometers long.
The cupola appears to hang in the air.
The tower resembles a human being
containing body, neck and head. Either
close to or from distance the upward sweep
of Sikhara is supreme.
There are number of inscriptions on the
walls and some are stating the information
on the management of the crle and the
society.
Vnquestionably the Thanjavur Vimana
(Sikhara) is the highest, finest and a daring
production of both Chola king Rajaraja
Chola I and the Dravidian craftsmen.

12. Temple of Gangaikonda Cholapuram
1033 C.E:
Introduction:
This monumental structure was built
by the king Rajendra I, the son of
Rajaraja Chola I to mmemorate the
victory of his empire spread up to
Ganga river who ruled during 1018 C.E
to 1033 C.E.
He comissioned this structure with an
intention to excel in richness and
grandeur than its predecessor structure
ihadeswara temple of Thanjavur.
The temple was situated 28
kilometres from Kumbhakonam in
Tamilnadu state. This temple also is
called Brihadeswara temple.

13. Plan:
The temple is large in plan than its
predecessor temple, but less in height
as the Vimana measures only 46
meters high.
The temple building was placed in
the middle of an immense walled
enclosure.
The plan of the temple tiding makesThe plan of the temple tiding makes
a rectangle of some 104 meters long
33 metres wide having main entrance
on east.

14. The compartments in this
temple are:
 Garbhagriha
 Vestibule
 Assembly hall Assembly hall
 In front of the main temple
building is a detached Nandi
pavilion within the axis with
a colossal image of Nandi
 Detached Nandi pavilion in
the front
.

15. The main doorway gives access to an
Assembly hall, which is a low structure
containing over 150 pillars of rider and
simple design.
The pillars are closely set on either
side, but leaving a wide gap in the center
axially king a spacious way to the
sanctuary.
 In between pillared hall and sanctuary
there is a vestibule or transept (Antarala)there is a vestibule or transept (Antarala)
running at right angles to the axis of the
building leading to north and south
doorways.
There are deeply ressed side
entrances approached by flight of steps
from outside on both sides to the
vestibule.
There are eight massive piers in this
vestibule. Beyond this at the far end is
the holy place, the Garbhagriha. Entrance doorway…

16. Exterior:
The front mandapa bears a
simple appearance with its plain
pillars.
The pyramidal vimana, which ;s
over the sanctuary on western
end, is massive and superb
achievement. On its plan it is a
square of 30 metres s andsquare of 30 metres s and
vertically it resolves into the
following three levels.
Vertical ground story
Tapering body and
Domical finial

17. The tapering body is in tiers with eight
diminishing zones.
 The contours of the tower are not strong
straight :s, as was done in its predecessor
example of Tanjore Vimana. But here
concave curves are made making the tower
smooth.
The domical finial is directly placed on the
square platform almost without neck.square platform almost without neck.
Whereas the grand al of the Tanjore
temple is separated from the tapering body
and placed over a neck giving a graceful
appearance leek and head.

18. The main vertical body is embellished with statuary.
Single figure statues occupied the niches as a whole.
The figures of the god of Nataraja, Ganesh, Apsaras, Ganadevatas, Yakshas
were depicted at appropriate places.
Under the supremacy of Cholas, the art and architecture in south India
attained a new peak.
Exterior wall decorated with sculptures…