Dravidian temple architecture can be seen as a continuum that, though strengthened during the period of the Pallavas, reached its pinnacle during the reign of the Cholas. Discuss.

Features of Dravidian temple

◎ Stepped Pyramid Vimana

– Kalash

– Vimana

◎ Gopuram – Gateway

[unique]

◎ Boundary wall

◎ Tank

Pallava's contribution:

◎ Mahabalipuram group – simple and created monolithic rock cut temples ◎ [illegible] temple

➤ garbagraha with small Vimana

◎ Navasthiavaiman group ➤ elaboration of Rocke cut temple – Vimana growed higher and Varied shaped ◎ panchratha (Mahabalipuram)

➤ mostly layer temple Vimana similar to (Dharmaraja ratha)

◎ Rajasimagruop – structured temples were constructed

➤ grandeur than previous style

◎ Shonetemple

NK@ Narasimhavaiman II group – Dravidian temple reached

◎ Final shape during his period

– elaborate sculpture & decorations added

– woofer tank within premises

– gopuram rose taller

◎ Kanjipur uma – temples – These Individualistic styles upgraded Dravidian temple style

Pinnacle during chola period:

– elaborate sculpting & decorations added

– woofer tank within premises

– gopuram rose taller

Addin of features like:

◎ Vimana: –

– Resi taller with elaborate sculpting.

– Made up of Monolithic stones

◎ Rajarajatempel (1010 AD)

Vimana – made of Heaviest granite stone and considered as engineering marvel – constructed without crane technology – by Building Barrel.

◎ Gopuram: – Rose taller and taller

Cholas constructed taller gopurams of Hair times

➤ land sculpture includes nieces from Marriages of Gods, Yaksas, Yakshni

◎ Panchti: – Mutual painting made temple premise

◎ Rejuva and Kamie devar painting in Brihadeshwer temple

◎ Bronze sculpture: – Adoption of Bronze Sculpture Carved with Highest craftsmanship ◎ Narayan Atchha, Queen and lesser gods

◎ Mandap – For cultural activities

➤ has richly carved monolithic pillars

◎ Vahan – largest Bull statue (Nandi) in Brihadeshwer temple was chola adoption.

— Muthuarasi · AIR 225