Chola architecture

CHOLA ARCHITECTURE
900 - 1150 AD
Prepared By- Roopa Chikkalgi. BGS SAP

CHOLA DYNASTY
•Pallavas – 600-900 AD
•Cholas- 900-1150 AD
•The Chola dynasty was one of the longest-
ruling dynasties in the history of southern
India.
•The heartland of the Cholas was the fertile
valley of the Kaveri River, but they ruled a
significantly larger area at the height of their
power from the later half of the 9th century
till the beginning of the 13th century.
•The whole country south of the Tungabhadra
was united and held as one state for a period
of two centuries and more.
•Under Rajaraja Chola I and his successors
Rajendra Chola I, Rajadhiraja Chola,
Virarajendra Chola and Kulothunga Chola I the
dynasty became a military, economic and
cultural power in South Asia and South-East
Asia.

CHOLA ARCHITECTURE – 900 - 1150 AD•The capital of the Chola dynasty was the city of Thanjavur from 836 – 1267 AD
•The great temple of Thanjavur was founded by Rajaraja I .
•The Cholas ruled the Deccan and emerged victorious among many other kingdoms such as Pallavas, Pandyas,
Chalukyas, Rashtrakutas.
•They advanced as far as Bengal, Sri Lanka, Java, Sumatra and had trade links as far as Indonesia.
•Their military and economic power was reflected in the grand architectural productions under this period at
Thanjavur, Gangaikondacholapuram, Dharasuram and Tribhuvanam.
Kambahareswara Temple-Tribhuvanam
(Kumbakonam) 1178-1218
Gangaikondacholapuram Temple 1014-1044 AD
Airateswara Temple-Darasuram
1146-1173 AD

CHOLA ARCHITECTURE – 900 - 1150 AD
Early Temples
Typical Features:
•The temples are of modest proportions.
•Built entirely of stone.
•These show the Dravidian style in its formative stages
•Use of well dressed granite
•Pallavan influence observed in the vimana - similar to the rathas
•Treatment- simplification of the exteriors compared to the Pallavas with elimination
of the details.
•Absence of the lion motifs and pillar.
•The capital is modified to by addition of a neck moulding padmabandham and the
pot kalasa.

BRIHADESHWAR TEMPLE
Another Name – PERUVUDAIYAAR TEMPLE
Location- THANJAVUR, TAMIL NADU
DRAVADIAN ARCHITECTURE
Creator- RAJA RAJA CHOLA I
Built in- 1010 AD
Deity- LORD SHIVA
• An artwork achieved by Cholas it is one of the largest temples in India and the most
prized architectural sites.
• The temple stands amidst fortified walls that were probably added I 16th century.

BRIHADESHWAR TEMPLE
• Brihadeshwara Temple in thanjavur is one of the largest temples in India which is built by emperor Rajendra Chola I
and completed in 1010 AD.
• This temple is also known as Peruvudaiyar Kovil, Periya Kovil or Big Temple, Raja Rajeswara Temple and
Rajarajeswaram.
• The temple tower is the tallest one in the world which is 216 ft high. And the kumbam in the tower weighs about 80
tonnes.
• For the construction of the temple, more than 130,000 tonnes of granite was used. Surprisingly, these heavy stones
were brought down from a place that was located 50 miles away from the Brihadeeshwar temple.
• A unique feature about the temple is, it is the only temple wherein the Temple tower’s (Gopuram) shadow does not
appear on the ground at noon.
• The king Raja Raja Cholan built the temple after his visit to Sri Lanka. The king was inspired after witnessing the
Vedic structures built by the Hindu kings.

CHOLA ARCHITECTURE
Brihadeeswara Temple Thanjavur – 1000 AD
The Brihadeeswara Temple at Tanjavur was
constructed around 1000 AD
The largest, highest and most ambitious project at its
time – a landmark in the evolution of South Indian
Architecture
Superb architectural treatment and Proportions
The main structure is 180’ long above which is the
tower 190’ high

Brihadeshwara temple
• Brihadeshwara Temple (locally known as
"Big temple") is a Hindu temple dedicated to
Shiva located in Thanjavur in the Indian state
of Tamil Nadu.
• The temple was built in a courtyard
measuring 240 X 120m in the ratio of 1:2
• Granite is used for construction.
• Inner sanctum is square.
• The wall and plinth of the temple are
carved out of Chola, Pandya, Vijayanagar,
Nayaka and Maratha rulers.
• Axial planning.

Planning:
Dedicated to Shiva
Surrounded by 2 walled precincts
The first one measures 270m x 140 m consisting
of a high wall running along the banks of the
river Kaveri
The 2nd wall consists of a portico with a double
row of pillars, measures 150m x 75m
The Temple is entered through
The perimeter wall forms a rectangular cloister
which could be divided into 2 squares
The center of the 1st square contains the Nandi
Pavilion and the 2nd contains the Cella
Over the cella is the main Gopuram 60m high
and 15m at its base

Plan
The Garbhagriha is a mere 5m square surrounded by a thick wall
with a narrow corridor.
Axial planning
The main cella is preceded by 2 hypostyle halls and a narrow
vestibule
Entered through a pillared portico on the west

THE Great Brihadeshwar Temple ,
Tanjore
The Great Nandhi:
• Big statue of Nandi(sacred bull), carved out of
a single rock, at the entrance.
• The Nandhi-12 feet high, 19.5 feet long and
18.25 feet wide.
• Weighing about 20 tones.
• Stone was brought over from the bed of the
River Narmada in the north

CHOLA ARCHITECTURE
Components of Vimana:
The main Vimana is a huge solid block consisting of 3 parts:
1. Square vertical base
2. Tall tapering body
3. Domical finial
Vertical base:
• Square of 82’ rising to a ht. of 50’
• The square vertical base rises for 2 stories to
accommodate the Linga which was increased in ht.
• An upper gallery was hence added creating a 2nd
storey, with the 2 levels of the tower receiving the
same treatment
Pyramidal portion:
13 diminishing stories until the width of the
apex is 1/3 base
Cupola:
On the square platform stands the cupola, the
inward curve of the neck breaking the rigid
outlines of the composition

The magnificent Vimana (temple tower) stands to a height of 216 feet (66m).

CHOLA ARCHITECTURE
Architectural treatment:
Vertical face:
The wall is divided into 2 stories by means of an
overhanging cornice which is the only horizontal member
Contains pilasters and niches with sculptures
In the middle of each recess is a figure subject
The mastery of the sculptors is seen in the Dvarapalas
which stand guard at the gate
The entire periphery of the temple base consists of mythical
animals – lions
Pyramidal roof:
The surfaces are adorned with
the horizontal lines of the
diminishing tiers
The Cupola at the summit is
contrasted with the niches on
all the 4 sides

CHOLA ARCHITECTURE

The key inscription on the base of the vimana where Rajaraja Chola says
he built the stone temple and records the gifts that he, his sister, his
queens and others gave the temple.
Pichard called the vimana an “architectural audacity”.

Brihadeeswarar Temple has been listed as a
UNESCO World Heritage Site under the list of
‘Great Living Chola Temples’.
An approximate of 130,000 tons of granite was
used in the formation of this temple.
The holy shrine has a temple tower (vimana)
that is built at a height of 216 feet. Being the
tallest in the world, it symbolizes Mount Peru.
‘Gopuras’ or the two gateways are located at the
eastern entrance of the temple.
The temple’s entrance has a large statue of
Nandi (sacred bull) that measures about 16 feet in
length and 13 feet in height. This statue has been
carved out of a single stone.

 ‘Kumbam’ is the topmost component of the holy shrine and weighs about 60 tons. It has been also carved out from a
single granite stone.
 A huge idol of Lord Shiva with three eyes is present inside the temple along with the 108 dance forms or ‘karmas’.
 The exterior part on the other end is decorated with sculptures. There are 250 lingams in the entire temple compound.
 This famous sanctuary is made up of a pillared hall and an assembly hall which is known as mandapas and many sub-
shrines.

The inner part of the mandapas is highly significant and is divided into various
categories with the help of sculptures and pilasters.
Being one of the rarest temples in India, the idols of ‘Ashta-dikpaalakas’ or
guardians of directions can be found here. The six feet effigies of Agni, Varuna,
Indra, Yama, Isana, Kubera and Nirriti are placed in a separate temple.
Being a masterpiece in itself, the shadow of the tower over the gateway of the
shrine never falls on the ground, more significantly in the premises of the temple.
The altar situated at the entrance of this holy shrine has two idols of Lord
Ganesha. When a person taps on any one of the idols, a sound occurs that travels
towards the other idol slanting through the stone at one end and the metal to
another. There are many pillars of the temple that produce such musical sounds.

CHOLA ARCHITECTURE
The double portico of 450 m perimeter running all
around the structure contains 252 lingas in black stone
arranged under corbelled vaults carried on 400 pillars
all around
The wall behind the portico is beautifully painted

Brihadeshwara temple at Gangaikonda Cholapuram

• Gangaikonda Cholapuram was built during medieval India and was erected as the capital of the
Cholas by Rajendra Chola I, the son and successor of Rajaraja Chola.
• It follows the same structural base as of Brihadeshwara temple at tanjavore.
Gangaikondacholisvaram Temple
•The second Brihadisvara temple complex, built by Rajendra I, the son and successor of Rajaraja I, was
completed in 1035. The temple of Gangaikondacholisvaram is approached through the northern
entrance from the road.
•The passage moves through the enclosure wall and leads on to the inner court. The 53 m Vimana has
recessed corners and gracefully upward curve, which is in contrast with the straight and severe tower
at Thanjavur. As it rises to a height of 160 feet and is shorter than the Thanjavur tower, it is often
described as the feminine counterpart of the Thanjavur temple.
•The shrine of Chandikeswara is near the steps in the north. In the northeast are a shrine housing
Durga, a well called lion-well (simhakeni) with a lion figure guarding its steps and a late mandapa
housing the office. Nandi is in the east facing the main shrine.
•In the same direction is the ruined Gopura, the entrance tower. The main tower surrounded by little
shrines truly presents the appearance of a great Chakravarti (emperor) surrounded by chieftains and
vassals.
Brihadeshwara temple at Gangaikonda Cholapuram

Chola architecture

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