Question

Difference between pallava and chola temple architecture

Answer 1

- South Indian style of temple architecture differs from the rest of India and specifically revolves around the four periods corresponding to the 4 principal kingdoms- Pallavas, Cholas, Pandyas and Vijaynagar rulers. 

- In the Southern Silpa and Agama Texts, Vimanas are classified in the following 3 categories-Nagra, Dravida and Vesara

Temple Architecture of the Pallavas

- Earliest examples of temples of the Dravidian style belonged to the Pallava period 

There are two different sub styles of Pallava temple architecture:

i. Rock Cut(610-690 AD)

ii. Structural (600-900 AD)

- The rock cut temples at Mahabalipuram are the epitome of Pallava temple architecture. 

- The Pallava temples are further categorised into excavated pillared halls/mandapas and monolithic shrines called rather 

- 5 rathas were building by Narasimhavarman I in the period from 625 to 645 AD

- The rathas are named after the characters in Mahabharata-Draupadi, Arjuna, Bhima, Sahadeva and Dharmaraj 

- The ratha of the latter is the most complete and largest in the series 
Chola Temple Architecture

- Chola art was an extension of the Pallava era

- Cholas building several 100 temples, some of which were modest in size while others were massive with vimanas or gopuras

- Chola architecture is epitomised by the temple of Koranganatha at Trichinopoly constructed by Parantaka I (907-949 AD)

- Temple comprises pillared hall/mandapa with attached sanctuary/vimana

- Height of the shikara is around 50 feet while the mandapa is located at the height of 16 feet from the base

- Chola temple architecture reached its fullest glory at Thanjavur which was the capital established by Chola King Rajaraja I

- Tamil architecture saw its peak in the Brihadeshwara temple at Thanjavur, constructed around 1000 AD

- 55 m long structure of the temple has a 58 metres feet tall pyramidal tower/shikhara