CHOLA PERIOD

ARCHITECTURE

Dravidian Style
The Dravidian style of architecture mainly emerged in the southern
part of the Indian subcontinent.
Consisted mainly of pyramid shaped temples called KOVILS.
Intricately carved stones and statues of deities, warriors, kings and
dancers.
Various kingdoms and empires : Cholas, Cheras, Pandyas, Pallavas,
Rashtrakutas, Chalukyas, Hoysalas and Vijayanagara empire.

Tanjore
Chola Dynasty, 9th-13th century

INTRODUCTION
The period of the imperial Cholas (c. 850 CE - 1250 CE) was an age of
continuous improvement and refinement of the Dravidian art and architecture.
Continued the temple building traditions of the Pallava dynasty
The Chola kings built numerous temples throughout the kingdom.
The evolution of the temple architectural the early phase starting
with Vijayalaya Cholas, the middle phase of Rajaraja Chola and Rajendra
Chola and the final phase during the Chalukya Chola period of Kulottunga
Chola I and after.
Include irrigation schemes, embankment of artificial lakes, dams across the
Kaveri and well planned cities.
Temples at BRIHADDESWARA, TANJORE and GANGAIKONDA
CHOLAPURAM built in early 11th century A.D. show the best of Chola art.

KEY FEATURES
Pallava features of rathas seen in the early period

temples.
Consist of usual compartments pillared halls, attached
to the vimana or tower over the sanctum.
Vimana consists of series of square receding tiers. Like
a stepped pyramid.
Numerous and intricate sculptures on the outer
surfaces.
Pillars and Pilasters were enriched with mouldings.
A neck moulding (Padma bhandam) was provided at the
junction of the shaft and capital.
A form of pot (Kumbha) was added below the capital.

BRIHADESWARA TEMPLE

BRIHADESWARA
TEMPLE,THANJAVUR
The Brihadeswara or Rajarajeswara Temple of Shiva in Tanjore built by
Rajaraja Chola in 1010 A.D. is the largest and highest of Chola temples and
stands as a symbol of Chola greatness.
Constructed in granite,.
A square base about 53 metres high shikhara of thirteen successive
storeys is 57.7 metres high.
Stone dome 8 metres high and weighing 81 tons crowns the shikhara.
Covered with exquisite sculptures and mouldings.
The plinth is covered with inscriptions in Tamil.
Gopuram decorated with beautiful sculptures.
Spacious enclosed courtyard and pavilion with one of the largest
monolithic Nandis (6 metres long, 2.6 metres broad and 307 metres high).

The walls of the passage

around the sanctum are

covered with exquisite
paintings
show vivid expression - a
marked feature the classical
painting of the Cholas.
The hundred and eight dance
poses of Shiva carved on the
inner walls of this temple .
An imposing structure, the
temple is the finest creation
of Chola craftsmen.

TEMPLE AT GANGAI
KONDACHOLPURAM

Built by Rajendra completed in 1035.

53 m high Vimana (sanctum) tower.
6 pairs of massive monolithic dvarapalas, guarding the
entrance.

AIRAVATESHAWARA TEMPLE
Located in the town of
Darasuram, Tamil Nadu.
Built by Rajaraja Chola II,
in the 12th century, UNESCO
world heritage site.
The sanctum is in the
form od chariot drawn by
horses.
The pillars depict Socioeconomic conditions of the
period.
Vimana is 24m high
The south side of the front
mandapa is in the form of a
huge chariot with large
stone wheels drawn by
horses.

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