SOUTH INDIAN ARCHITECTUE

After theGuptas, in the early mediaeval times,

substantial contribution was made to Indian
architecture by theChalukyas, Rashtrakutasand
Pallavasin theDeccanand thePalasin Northern India.

The period (also the

height of the Gupta
Empire) was marked by
extensive inventions and
discoveries in science,
technology, engineering,
art, dialectic, literature,
logic, mathematics,
astronomy, religion, and
philosophy that
contributed to Hindu
culture.

TEMPLE in GUPTA PERIOD

TYPES

OF STYLES

Northern Hindu
Style
Central Hindu
Style
South Hindu Style

in TEMPLE

DRAVIDIAN
ARCHITECTURE

The south Indian style of temple

architecture is very distinct from that
of the rest of India. It is convenient to
resolve the types of architecture into
four periods corresponding to the
principal kingdoms which ruled in
southern India down the centuries.

FEATURES

THE SIGNIFICANCE

Reflects a
-synthesis of arts,
-the ideals ofdharma,
-beliefs,
-values and the way
of life.

THE SYMBOLISM
A Hindu temple is a symbolic reconstruction of the universe
and universal principles that make everything in it
function.The temples reflect Hindu philosophy and its
diverse views on cosmos and Truths.
Link between man, deities, and the
Universal space
ELEMENTS OF HINDU COSMOS
Create and sustain life are present in a
presenting the good,
Hindu temple
the evil
from fire to water,
and
from images of nature to deities,
the human,
from the feminine to the masculine,
from the fleeting sounds and
incense smells to the eternal
nothingness

THE SITE
The appropriate site for a temple
at sangams (confluence of rivers),
river banks, lakes and seashore
is near water and gardens,
where lotus and flowers bloom,
where swans, ducks and other
birds are heard, where animals
rest without fear of injury or
harm.

THE PLAN
A Hindu temple design follows a
geometrical design calledvastupurusha-mandala..Mandalameans
circle,Purushais universal
essence at the core of Hindu
tradition, whileVastu means the
dwelling structure.
Villages, towns and kingdoms
integrated temples, water bodies and
gardens within them to achieve
harmony with nature.

SHAPE

of

FORMS
&
INDIAN TEMPLE

EXCEPTIONS TO THE SQUARE GRID PRINCIPLE

The design lays out

a Hindu temple in a
symmetrical, selfrepeating structure
derived from
central beliefs,
myths, cardinality
and mathematical
principles.

THE MANUALS
Composition and structure

Basic form of a Hindu temple

PARTS & ELEMENTS

OF TEMPLE

1. Garbhagriha:
It literally means womb-house and is a cave like
sanctum.
In the earliest temples, it was a small cubical structure
with a single entrance.
Later it grew into a larger complex.
The Garbhagriha is made to house the main icon (main
deity) which is itself the focus of much ritual attention.
2. Mandapa:
It is the entrance to the temple.
It may be a portico or colonnaded (series of columns
placed at regular intervals) hall that incorporate space
for a large number of worshippers.
Dances and such other entertainments are practiced
here.
Some temples have multiple mandapas in different
sizes named as Ardhamandapa, Mandapa and
Mahamandapa.
3. Shikhara or Vimana:
They are mountain like spire of a free standing temple.
Shikhara is found in North Indian temples and Vimana
is found in South Indian temples.

VIMANA

VIMANA
SIKHARA

GARBHA GRIHA

PRADAKSHINA

PATHA

MANDAPA

Pillared hall
Performing rituals
NATAMANDIRA hall of
dance
Also an isolate and
separate structures from
the sanctuary.

ANTARALA

vestibule or the intermediate

chamber.
It unites the main sanctuary
and the pillared hall of the
temple.
ARDHAMANDAPA meaning the
front porch or the main
entrance of the temple leading
to the mandapa

GOPURAMS
Monumental and ornate tower at
the entrance of the temple
complex, specially found in
south India.

The typical gateway of the

temple mostly found in
north Indian temple.

TORANAS

PITHA
The plinth or the platform of the
temple.

Fluted disc like stone placed

at the apex of the sikhara

AMAL AKA /
CAPSTONE /
HARMIKA

SUMMERY
7th to 8th C
Variant forms.
Square chambered sanctuary
Topped by super structureTower Pyramidal shape.
gradually receeding stories.
- each story dlineated by a parapet of miniature of
shrines.
-Squares at the corners
-rectangular with barrel vault roofs at the center.
-tower is crowned
External walls pilasters & carry niches housing
sculptures.
GAVAKSHA dormer windows