Architecture of Tamil Nadu

The

Pallava art and architecture represent an early stage of Dravidian art and

rule and were based on earlier brick and timber prototypes.

The earliest examples of Pallava constructions are rock-cut temples dating from 610 to 690 CE and structural temples between 690 and 900 CE. A number of rock-cut cave temples bear the inscription of the Pallava king,

Pandyan architecture

Meenakshi Amman Temple

After the close of the Sangam age, the first Pandyan empire was established by Kadungon in the 6th century CE by defeating the Kalabhras, The empire ruled from 6th to 10th century CE.

Rock cut and structural temples are significant part of pandyan architecture. The

were built during the reign of the Pandyas.

Kallalagar temple

Kallalagar Temple (Kallazhagar Temple) is a

. The temple is surrounded by a large fort, part of which is dilapidated.

The famous

Srivilliputhur Andal Temple

The Srivilliputhur Andal Temple in

The history of Srivilliputhur centres around the Srivilliputhur Andal Temple, dedicated to Andal.^[35] It is argued that the temple of Vatapatrasayi is present from the 5th century, but there are epigraphic records are available only from the 9th century CE. The view that the Andal temple was built during the 14th century is highly debated.^[36] The temple has inscriptions from Chola, Pandya and Vijayanagar Nayakkar Kings, spanning across various centuries from the 10th to 16th centuries. As per some accounts, the original structure was constructed by Tribuvana Chakravarthy Konerinmai Kondan Kulasekaran and the Andal temple and 194 feet Rajagopura was built by Barathi Rayar of Vijayanagar king.^[37]

Kalugumalai temples of Pandyas

The temples in

king Parantaka Nedunjadaiya (768-800 CE).

There are approximately 150 niches in the bed, that includes images of

The carvings in the

(the sacred bull of Shiva) and animals like monkeys and lions. Historian Sivaramamurti believes that this is the only place where

Dakshinamurthy is depicted playing the Mridanga (a percussion instrument), while in all other places, he is depicted playing Veena. Epigrapher like V. Vedachalam believes that there is a spontaneity in the sculptures indicating of natural human movements like in

the Shiva and Uma sculpture where they seem to be talking like common folks.

The sanctum of the

Chola architecture

World Heritage Sites

.

The

Nammalvar.^[41]

Temple building received great impetus from the conquests and the genius of

Chola

emperors.

Contrary to popular impression, the Chola emperors patronized and promoted construction of a large number of temples that were spread over most parts of the Chola empire. These include 40 of the 108 Vaishnava

Natarajar Temple

(though originally built by the Pallavas but possibly seized from the Cholas of the pre-Christian era when they ruled from Kanchi) were two of the most important temples patronized and expanded by the Cholas and from the times of the second Chola King Aditya I, these two temples have been hailed in inscriptions as the tutelary deities of the Chola Kings.

Temple shrine on the

Chidambaram's expansion that escalated the building of those syncretic latter styles of Dravidian architecture seen across the continent pictured.^{[43][44][45][46]}

Of course, the two

Thirubhuvanam, both on the outskirts of Kumbakonam were the royal temples of the Cholas to commemorate their innumerable conquests and subjugation of their rivals from other parts of South India, Deccan Ilangai or Sri Lanka

and the Narmada-Mahanadi-Gangetic belts. But the Chola emperors underlined their non-partisan approach to religious

iconography and faith by treating the presiding deities of their other two peerless creations, namely the

World Heritage Sites, which will elevate them to the exacting and exalting standards of the Great Living Chola Temples

.

The temple of

Rajendra Chola I, was intended to exceed its predecessor in every way. Completed around 1030, only two decades after the temple at Thanjavur and in much the same style, the greater elaboration in its appearance attests the more affluent state of the Chola Empire under Rajendra.^[47] This temple has a larger Siva linga than the one at Thanjavur but the Vimana of this temple is smaller in height than the Thanjavur

vimana.

The

Chola period is also remarkable for its sculptures and bronzes all over the world. Among the existing specimens in museums around the world and in the temples of South India may be seen many fine figures of Siva in various forms, such as Vishnu and his consort Lakshmi, and the Siva saints. Though conforming generally to the iconographic conventions established by long tradition, the sculptors worked with great freedom in the 11th and the 12th centuries to achieve a classic grace and grandeur. The best example of this can be seen in the form of Nataraja the Divine Dancer.^[48]

Vijayanagara and Nayak architecture

Krishnapuram Venkatachalapathy Perumal temple

Krishnapuram Venkatachalapathy temple, (also called Krishnapuram Temple) in Krishnapuram, a village in

Srivaikuntam, Avudayarkovil, Vaishnava Nambi and Thirukurungudivalli Nachiar temple at Thirukkurungudi.^[53]

Vellore Fort

Vellore Fort was built by Chinna Bommi Reddy and Thimma Reddy Nayak, subordinate chieftains under

Alagar Koyil.^[57] The Gopuram of the tower is over 100 ft. in height. The temple also has a Mandapam, with the hall supported by carved stone pillars of dragons, horses and yalis (lion like creature).^[58][59]

Thenkaraikottai

Mahabharatha and Srimad Bhagavatham. There are statues of Alvars and Vaishnavate Acharyas, Vishvaksena kept in a row in the inner Mandapam of the temple similar to many other Vaishnavate temples. The inner Mandapam has 4 pillars with sculptures of Vishnu

and his avatars. The temple also has a temple tank which is present away from the temple.

Other temples

The

gopurams

with stucco statues on the surface and the long corridors.

Kallazhagar temple.

sculpture of Rama hugging Sugriva at Srivaikuntanathan Perumal temple

.

The main temples representing this style are:

• The Srirangam Ranganathaswamy Perumal temple at Srirangam – noted for its increase in the number of enclosures and its "thousand-pillared" mandapam. These enclosures together

makes it the largest functioning religious complex in the world.

• The
  Alagar Koyil – noted for the life size images of Maha Vishnu and his Avatars
  .
• The
  Sugreeva
  with his right hand and holding his bow in the left and on his left stands Sita, while in another pillar he is seen hugging Hanuman with his right hand and Angada seen standing in anjali.
• The temple at Rameswaram – noted for its long corridors;
• The
  Tanjavur
  – noted for its fine vimana with ratha and maha mandapas;
• Meenakshi Temple at Madurai – noted for the great splendour its "thousand-pillared" mandapam, and the Thanga Thamarai kulam ("Golden Lotus water pool").

Thanjavur Maratha kingdom

Thanjavur Maratha palace

The Thanjavur Maratha palace was originally constructed by the rulers of Thanjavur Nayak kingdom. After the fall of the Thanjavur Nayak kingdom, it served as the official residence of the Thanjavur Maratha. The palace complex consists of the Sadar Mahal Palace, the queen's courtyard and the Durbar Hall. The Royal Palace Museum contains a splendid collection of Chola bronzes. The Raja Serfoji Memorial Hall and the Royal Palace Museum are situated in the Sadar Mahal Palace. There is also a small bell tower. The Saraswathi Mahal Library is situated with the Thanjavur palace complex.^[63]

Colonial

See also: Architecture of Chennai

San Thome Basilica is a

Madras), India. It was built in the 16th century by Portuguese explorers, and rebuilt again with the status of a cathedral by the British

in 1893.

The Madras High Court and Government Museum in Chennai were designed by Henry Irwin.

Indo-Saracenic architecture

Further information:

Puratchi Thalaivar Dr. M.G.Ramachandran Central Railway Station

Indo-Saracenic architecture is a type of architecture used by the British architects in India in the late 19th century and the early 20th century. It is a combination of Islamic, Hindu, and Byzantine architecture. Features of Indo-Saracenic architecture include domes, arches, minarets, and stained glass. The British built many public buildings like museums, educational institutions, and railway stations using this type of architecture. Examples of Indo-Saracenic style buildings in Chennai include Madras High Court, Senate House, Chepauk Palace, and Egmore Railway station.^[64]