Dravidian Style of Architecture

Why in the News?

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), has recently finished copying inscriptions at three temples in Thirukurungudi, located in Tirunelveli district.

About the 3 temples mentioned:

Nambi Rayar Temple (Thirukoshtiyur Temple)

It is a temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu and is located in Thirukoshtiyur, near Sivaganga in Tamil Nadu.
It is one of the 108 Divya Desams (sacred Vishnu temples).
It is known for its association with Ramanuja, one of the most important figures in Vaishnavism, who learned the sacred mantra “Ashtakshara” here.
The temple has a five-tiered rajagopuram (temple tower) and is built in Dravidian style.

Thirumalai Nambi Temple (Thirumaliruncholai Temple)

It is a temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu and is located in Thirumaliruncholai, also known as Azhagar Kovil, near Madurai, Tamil Nadu.
This temple is also one of the 108 Divya Desams.
Thirumalai Nambi, who was a saint and a scholar, was closely associated with this temple and served as a priest here.
The temple is set in a hilly region and has intricate carvings and sculptures in traditional Dravidian architecture.

Aniliswarar Temple

It is a Shaivite temple located in Anilivandhan Kottai, near Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu.
The temple architecture is traditional with a smaller gopuram (temple tower) compared to the larger, more well-known temples.

dravid

About Dravidian Style of Architecture

	Details
Flourished	8th century to the 13-14th century AD
Enclosure	Temples are enclosed within a compound wall, unlike Nagara temples.
Notable Features	Gopuram (Entrance Gateway): The front wall has an elaborate gateway tower called Gopuram, which serves as the main entrance to the temple complex. Vimana (Main Tower): Vimana or temple tower has a stepped pyramid-like structure that rises geometrically, unlike the curving shikhara in North Indian temples. Temple Tank: It is common to have a large water reservoir or temple tank enclosed within the temple complex.
Shapes of Temples	Square (Kuta or Caturasra) Rectangular (Shala or Ayatasra) Elliptical (Gaja-prishta or Vrittayata) Circular (Vritta) Octagonal (Ashtasra)
Notable Temples	The Pallavas, early builders of Dravidian temples, started with rock-cut temples and later shifted to structural temples. Mahabalipuram: Narasimhavarman I (Mamalla) initiated construction, and Narasimhavarman II (Rajasimha) built the Shore Temple. The Shore Temple houses three shrines for Shiva and Vishnu. The Rajarajeswara or Brahadeeshwarar Temple at Thanjavur, built by Rajaraja Chola in 1009 CE, is the largest and tallest of Indian temples. It features large Gopurams with elaborate sculptures.
Significance	Temples were not only religious centers but also key administrative hubs, controlling large areas of land and resources, especially during the 8th-12th centuries.

PYQ:

[2012] The Nagara, the Dravida and the Vesara are the:

(a) Three main racial groups of the Indian subcontinent

(b) Three main linguistic divisions into which the languages of India can be classified

(d) Three main musical Gharanas prevalent in India