What is South Indian Architecture?

 

6th century Dravidian style – Pallava period

"Mahabalipuram"

 

If we talk about ancient artefacts spread in the spiritual rites of Indian art, Dravidian style of architecture has a special identity in itself. It is in this context that it becomes necessary to study religious stories.

The earliest Dravidian style temples have been found in 'Mahabalipuram' and 'Kanchipuram' near Madras. "Mahabalipuram": Mamallapuram is located on the sea coast about 48 kilometers south of Madras. Presently it is called 'Mahabalipuram'. The Pallava dynasty of South India has been an important contributor to the development of Indian architecture and sculpture. From the middle of 1000 BC to 900 AD, there was the Pallava Empire, whose capital was Kanchi (Kanchivaram), which was a famous port and commercial and cultural center during the Pallava rulers, but nowadays this city is ruined. Art flourished at many places like Panmail, Mahabalipuram etc.

In Mahabalipuram or Mamallapuram, three intense types of temples were built. 'Chariot', 'Mandap' and 'Rachna Pradhan'.

(a) Rath Mandap: The rocks situated on the sea coast were carved from above and given the form of temples. These are called 'Rath Mandapam'. Earlier these were in the name of five Pandavas, but they were destroyed due to bad environmental conditions. These chariot pavilions were rectangular. There were small shikharas above the sanctum sanctorum, which were pyramidal. The roofs were ornamented with Dholakar and Stupika-like amalakas.

(b) Shail Mandapam: A cave temple was made by carving a mountain a little away from the coast. Gone, which is called 'Shail Mandapam'. The 'narratives of Mahabharata' (picture-159) were engraved by carving a rock near it. The numbering of Gajalakshmi, Gangavataran, Durga etc. was remarkable.

(c) Temples were also built by choosing the stones of Rachna Pradhan Mahabalipuram. The temples built on the beach are the 'Shor Temples', which are in a group of two temples. This is a two level temple, one of Shiva and the other of Vishnu. The shikhara is terraced and decorated with a top stupa. All these temples have been built by cutting huge rocks. The credit for the initial construction of these temples is given to Mahendra Varman I (580-630 AD), the art lover son of 'Singh Vishnu'. It is known from the records that he was honored with the title of 'Lakshit' due to his creation and not only this, he was also called by the name 'Vichar Chitra'.

After Mahendra Varman I, this tradition was followed by 'Mahamalla Narasimha Varman'. Narasimha Varman, popularly known as 'Rajasimha', built several stone temples from AD 680 to 728, including the 'Kailash Temple at Kanchi', the 'Seaside Temple at Mahabalipuram' and the 'Talagirisvara Temple at Panamalai.' After this, 'Raja Raj Singh' developed this tradition and promoted it further. Following the example of the Pallavas, the later Chola dynasty rulers also made a special contribution to the rise of art in the Tamil Nadu region.

Due to the unique structures of craft and unique examples of sculpture, the cave temples of Mahabalipuram are famous as the best art sites of 'Pallava Art'. This place is situated on the beach opposite to Kanchi. Mahabalipuram was the main port of the Pallava rulers. Through him, the Pallavas increased cultural and trade relations with South-East Asia through the sea route. The two temples built at this site are notable.

On the first hill 'Olakkaneshwar' and the second 'Seaside Temple' - both these temples are of Dravidian style and the planning of various parts and the work of adorning them with statues has been done in a very elegant manner. Many mythological stories come true on visiting these temples. The temple of Mahabalipuram is square with four floors and the shikhara is octagonal. Its magnificence and proportional selection are effective. There are three parts of this temple.

Noun of the first temple: This is 'Kshatriya Singheshwar', whose face is towards the sea. It is surrounded by a high defense wall, which is decorated with 'shalas' and small temples of Koota type. Here in the Trimurti and Varaha pavilions, the idols of deities have been engraved in the style of Ardhachitras, in which Durga, Gajalakshmi, Vaman Avatar, Varaha Avatar are prominent. The idols of Sheshshayi Vishnu, Govardhandhari Krishna and Mahishasurmardini in Panchmandap and Mahish are beautiful and noteworthy. Along with this, the idols of Harihar, Durga, Arjuna's penance and Brahma are visible.

On the back wall of the sanctum there is an artistic marking of 'Somaskanddev'. There are many other colossal deities on the outer walls. A small shrine behind the main temple houses the idol of Sheshasayee Vishnu. The stone slab of the idol of Mahishasurmardini has been said to be special for its craft combination and excellent marking. Sanhar Leela is depicted in the whole scene. The goddess has bow, mace, sword, parashu, bell etc. in her hands and Mahishasura is collapsed in the lower and semi-human figure. The Trivikrama idol in the Varaha Mandapa depicts Vishnu in the posture of measuring the universe. In this way, both Shaivism and Vaishnavism have flourished here.

Saptaratha group: In the early period, the Pallava rulers built various chariot groups (cave temple groups). The word ratha is considered typical in Pallava architecture. The construction of chariots started in the time of 'Mahamalla Narasimha Varman I' 620-688 AD The 'group of seven Ratha temples' is called 'Saptrath group'. The first 'Adiwara Ratha' has the idols of Mahendra Varman and his queens. There are figures of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva in different levels of the shikhara, where Ardhanarishvara and Narasimha idols are also excellent.

It has five parts - The first is called 'Draupadirath', which is small in size. The image of Durga is inscribed on its wall. The second is 'Arjunarath', which is square and free of ornamentation. The third is 'Bhimrath', which is built like the Chaityas. The fourth ratha is of three storeys, which has an excellent sculpture of Narasimha Varman. The fifth and last chariot is 'Sahadevarath', which is famous for its iconography and craft combination.

The most structural sculpture at the entrance of Mahabalipuram is that of 'Gangavataran', which is carved out of a huge sheer rock. 58 feet by 43 feet in size, there is a scene of penance of Bhagiratha, in which Bhagiratha in the form of penance, in the form of ashes, is trying tirelessly to bring Ganga to the ground. Along with him, the entire divine and earthly world, even the animals and birds are shown engaged in penance. Thus this scene is very effective. In this way, there was a gradual development in the architecture of the temples during the Pallava period and due to this the Dravidian style was firmly established.

The development of Guha Mandapas in the Pallava period is counted in different styles in the name of their patron kings, such as-

(a) Mahendra style (610-640 AD) Mahendra style cave pavilions are found in Krishna Gupta, Nellore, Chinglepet, Tiruchirappalli and Arcot districts. These cave temples with open pavilions are plain and devoid of ornamentation and are established on huge octagonal pillars.

(b) Mamalla style (640-690 AD): Two types of temples were built in Mamalla style. First, the ones with open pillared pavilions carved out of rock like Mahendra style, which are called 'Shell Mandap'. The second type of temples are called 'Ratha temples' and are carved out of a monolithic rock. The pillars of the Mamalla style were slender and ornamental and were based on the figures of seated lions. In this way, there is a beautiful harmony of sculpture and architecture in the chariot temples built in Mamalla style.

(c) Raj Singh style (690-800 AD)

(d) Nandivarma style (800-900 AD)

The temples of Rajasimha and Nandivarma style were structural. Under this, the 'Shor Temple' of Mahabalipuram is notable.

Two temples were built in Kanchipuram under this style - 'Kailashnath Temple', which is located on the seashore and is dedicated to Shiva. The second 'Vaikunthaperumal Temple', which is dedicated to Vishnu. It is said that because of these temples, the city of Kanchi is divided into 'Shivkanchi' and 'Vishnukanchi'. All parts of Pallava architecture are present in Kailashnath temple. For example, shikhara, pillar, hall, interval, ramparts decorated with horns and bastions, etc., tapering upwards. Sixty feet high, the vimana of this temple is more developed, solid, heavy, strong and beautiful. Dravida Gopuram etc. forms are also visible here.