Ancient Architecture in TamilNadu

                Ancient Architecture in TamilNadu 

The history of architecture in Tamil Nadu dates back to the Megalithic Age, i.e. from the 1000 BC. Among these Megalithic monuments, stone mounds and stone cairns resemble building structures.

A "stone cist" is a square structure made up of four large stones, covered with large stones. There are holes in it for placing objects. "Dolmens" is also of the same type but is buried in the ground. Such monuments were built for the dead.

During the Sangam period, there were religious buildings such as temples and Buddhist and Jain monasteries. However, they were mostly built of bricks. According to Silappadhikaram and Manimekalai, temples were called "Kottam". Temples and other royal residences were called Kottam. The architectural structures of Tamil Nadu from the Sangam period to the historical period can be classified as follows.

1) Temples

2) Monasteries

3) Forts

4) Palaces

5) Boathouses

6) Warehouses

7) Shops

Kaveripoompattinam is a place where all these come together. "Shuduman Ongiya Nedunila Kottam" is a place where temples are built of shuduman. Considering the history of temples, the following types of temples exist in Tamil Nadu.

1) Rock-cutTemples

2) Structural Temples

3) Chariot Temples

4) Gaja Bishta Temples

The history of Rock-cut temples, which we all know well, begins from the Pallava period. However, the Pandyas had built Rock-cut temples even before the Pallava period. Take the example of Rock-cut . There are various opinions among researchers regarding this. Although caves for Jains to stay in the Tamil hills were found during the Sangam period, they cannot be called complete building structures.

Pallava King Mahendravarman I built the first cave temple in Tamil Nadu at Senchi Mandakapattu in Villupuram district without using stone, mud and lime for the three deities.

Pallava King Mahendravarman's Rock-cut temples are found at the following places:

1) Mandakapattu

2) Mahendravadi

3) Kuranganlumuttam

4) Keel Ma Vilangai

5) Pallavaram

6) Vallam

7) Thalavanur

8) Mamandur

9) Vilapakkam

10) Trichy

Three types of temples developed during the Pallava period: cave temples, chariot temples and structural temples.

1) Rock-cut temples - made by hollowing out rocks

2) Ratha temples - made by carving rocks from top to bottom. Chariot-like

3) Structural temples- made by stacking or carving stones

These three types of temples can be found in Mamallapuram. Two main types of stones were used to build temples

1) Granite

2) Sandstone

These sandstone temples are easily destroyed. The Pallavas have shown brick-built temples, but these types of temples existed even in the Sangam period. The Murugan temple made of bricks in Chaluvankuppam predates the Pallavas period. But there is no consensus among researchers about its date.

After the Pallavas, the credit for building a large number of kattali, i.e. black stone-built temples belongs to the Cholas. In particular, the Chola queen Sembiyan Madevi converted the Pallavas-era brick temple into kattali. The Cholas built a large number of temples for Shiva. 

Their temple vimanas feature Dravidian and Vesara sigars. Devakottams are invariably found on the walls of the sanctum sanctorum and the ardha mandapa The tall Vimnas also speak of the glory of the Cholas. 

After the Cholas, the Pandyas, Vijayanagar and Nayaka kings who ruled Tamil Nadu also built some temples. Tall towers, wedding halls, swing halls. Banana flower arrangements, Vaishnava decorations on the pillars, etc. speak of the glory of Vijayanagara art. 

Almost all the Nayakas also followed the Vijayanagara art work. Pillar sculptures are famous.mandapa.

Conclusion

Archaeological and historical evidence shows that Tamil Nadu is an artistic treasure trove of various types of temples and sculptures.