Chola architecture represents a high watermark in the evolution of temple architecture. Discuss. (100 words, 5M)
In Temple architecture in South India reached its culmination under the Cholas. The Chola style was a continuation of the Pallava and Eastern Chalukyan tradition.
The Cholas followed and refined Pallava architecture, with the following notable features:
Walls of temples decorated with sculptures and paintings of deities, kings and queens instead of lion motifs from Pallava.
During the reign of Chola dynasty, the temple architecture reached to its epitome—their style even followed by other kingdoms in South India and Sri Lanka. The finest example of Chola temple architecture is the Brihadeswara or Rajaraja temple at Tanjore built by Rajaraja I. It is known for its spacious courtyard and massive tower.
The first Chola ruler Vijayalaya Chola built temple at Narattamalai, which is the finest example of the early Chola temple architecture.
The Airavathesvara temple at Tanjore and the Kampaharesvara temple at Tribhuvanam (Thanjavur district) are examples of later Chola temples, which testify to the brilliant achievements of Cholas.
Besides all these temples of the Chola period, the greatest landmark in the Dravidian style of architecture is Brihadeswara temple. The temple tower is 198ft (60 m) high and is one of the tallest in the world. The Kumbam (the apex or the bulbous structure on the top) weighs around 80 tonnes.
Chola temples are noted for the sculptures and ornamental works. Gopurams of these temples were highly decorative and vividly detailed. Many temples are having pillared mandapas namely Arthamandapa, Mahamandapa and Nandimandapa.
In Temple architecture in South India reached its culmination under the Cholas. The Chola style was a continuation of the Pallava and Eastern Chalukyan tradition.
The Cholas followed and refined Pallava architecture, with the following notable features:
- Use of stones instead of bricks:
Walls of temples decorated with sculptures and paintings of deities, kings and queens instead of lion motifs from Pallava.
- Temples are enclosed by decorative walls and entrance (Gopuram).
- Audience hall (Mandap); a deity room (Garbhagriha); a pyramid like storey above the deity room (Vimana).
- Ultimately the beautiful Shikhara stone at the top.
During the reign of Chola dynasty, the temple architecture reached to its epitome—their style even followed by other kingdoms in South India and Sri Lanka. The finest example of Chola temple architecture is the Brihadeswara or Rajaraja temple at Tanjore built by Rajaraja I. It is known for its spacious courtyard and massive tower.
The first Chola ruler Vijayalaya Chola built temple at Narattamalai, which is the finest example of the early Chola temple architecture.
The Airavathesvara temple at Tanjore and the Kampaharesvara temple at Tribhuvanam (Thanjavur district) are examples of later Chola temples, which testify to the brilliant achievements of Cholas.
Besides all these temples of the Chola period, the greatest landmark in the Dravidian style of architecture is Brihadeswara temple. The temple tower is 198ft (60 m) high and is one of the tallest in the world. The Kumbam (the apex or the bulbous structure on the top) weighs around 80 tonnes.
Chola temples are noted for the sculptures and ornamental works. Gopurams of these temples were highly decorative and vividly detailed. Many temples are having pillared mandapas namely Arthamandapa, Mahamandapa and Nandimandapa.