HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE JAIN ARCHITECTURE

Ar.Ruchi AIAP, Greater Noida

JAIN ARCHITECTURE (3RD CENTURY B.C-17TH CENTURY A.D):

CHARACTERISTICS FEATURES AND TYPICAL EXAMPLES

-Mahaveer, the last Tirthankar is generally regarded as the founder of Jain religion. -There are 24 of these jinas or saints who were defied and occupied high place in Jain Architecture. -Jina means conqueror or leader from which the Jaina is derived. -Tirthnkaras mean makers of the river crossing who lead the way across the working life torrents of the endless cycle of rebirth. -One peculiar variation found in Jain temples is that they are four faced or chaumukh. Hence instead of a single figure with single face, one way, with one entrance to the cell, they provided a quadruple image or a group of 4 diff. Tirthankaras. -This necessitates the shrine chamber with 4 doorways which affected considerably the layout design of temples.

JAIN ARCHITECTURE (3RD CENTURY B.C-17TH CENTURY A.D): -Jainas took advantage of this requirement in the construction of the exterior and in designing the shape of vimana. -They introduced the colonnaded group of small shrines round the four sides of the courtyard in which the main temple stands. -The temple consists of an Temple portico. -8 to 12 columns are arranged in the form of an octagonal set within a square. -The dome is supported by these columns joined by bracket type raking struts. -The dome is built on horizontal courses with successively diminishing square, laid diagonally to each other, with Amalaka or ornamental Kalasa at the top. -Another innovation was the construction of beautifully carved and fretted marble ceiling with central pendants almost like chandeliers in their delicacy and grace.

NEMINATH TEMPLE (GUJRAT, 13TH CENTURY): -The famous Temple is built on the hills of Girnar, nearly 915m above mean sea level, near the historic city of Junagadh. -The temple consists of a courtyard 58m x 40m and is surrounded by pillared cloisters containing over seventy cell. -The Viman is composed of a grouping of turrets around the central tower.

LADH KHAN TEMPLE:

LADH KHAN TEMPLE:

DURGA TEMPLE, AIHOLE, 550 C.E:

The plan of this temple is like Buddhist Chaitya hall probably built in 6 th century. This is an apsidal ended structure measuring externally 18m x 11m. There is an addition of portico on its eastern front 7.2 m in depth making the total length to 25.2 m.

INTERIOR:
The temple consists of a hall of a 13.4m long and divided into 2 rows of 4 pillars into a nave and two aisles with an apsidal shaped cella at the far end.

The aisles are continued round the cella as processional passage. Inside is a pillared vestibule within which a door was located.

Light is admitted to the hall and passages through stone grilles elegantly carved with perforated patterns.

EXTERIOR:

The structure was raised on a high and heavily moulded plinth. The height of the structure up to the flat roof of the aisles is 9m from the ground.

DURGA TEMPLE, AIHOLE, 550 C.E:

A passage was carried round the building joining with similar pillars comprising the portico. The portico is approached by two flights of steps, one on each side of the front. Pillars of the temple show fine figure carving. The roof of the nave is higher than the side aisles.

PATTADKAL TEMPLES (600 C.E TO 750 C.E):

INTRODUCTION:

-Pattadkal is located on the banks of Malaprabha river in Bagalkot district in Karnataka state. -The next stage of development of Chalukyan architecture is found in the buildings of Pattadkal. -The building art was undergoing a course of reformation and evolution specially in the design of Shikharas- a stepped lined one and a curved one were markedly developed denoting the Dravidian type and Indo-Aryan type Shikhras.

PAPANATH TEMPLE, PATTADKAL -Papanath temple dedicated to Lord Mukteswara is a long and low height temple of some 27.4 m long. -This is a north Indian type (Indo Aryan) of temple.
PLAN:

-It consists of the following in its axis from east to west. -Entrance porch Mukha Mandapa -Assembly Hall - Sabha Mandapa -Supplementary Hall Ardha Mandapa -Cella - Garbhagriha -The mukha Madapa is a simple portico having 2 pillars in front of Sabha Mandapa. -The Sabha Mandapa is a large hall window openings on 3 sides. -There are 16 pillars arranged in 4 squares each square containing 4 pillars slightly set aside to corners thus making the central bay wider and spacious.

-The hall gives access into Ardha mandapa which is a square room containing 4

PAPANATH TEMPLE, PATTADKAL -This is an anti chamber. -There is no separate vestibule.

-It seems that during construction there were some modifications in the structure of Ardha Mandapa.
-The last one is the cella having a narrow processional passage surrounding it. -There is no nandi Mandapa.
EXTERIOR:

-The lower part of the structure is a substantial basement formed by bold string courses decorated with animal motifs, floral designs and Kudu. -Above this, the central broad space of the wall is decorated with niches, each niche carrying 2 pillars, a cornice and a traceried canopy of Indo-Aryan type repeated throughout.

PAPANATH TEMPLE, PATTADKAL -These niches housed Siva and Vishnu deities depicting episodes from Ramayana. -The shikhara is separated from its substructure.

-It is the simplest form of Indo-Aryan spire appearing over the flat roof.
-Amalaka and Kalasa are missing. -It has the convex type curve turning inward and has horizontal grooves.

PAPANATH TEMPLE, PATTADKAL

VIRUPAKSHA TEMPLE : -It was built at Pattadkal by queen Lokmahadevi to commemorate her husbands victory over Pallavas of kanchi -The temple has a walled enclosure entered by an appropriate gateway from eastern side. -It measures about 36.5 m long.
PLAN:

VIRUPAKSHA TEMPLE :

-It consists of the following usual compartments -Detached nandi Pavilion in front.

-Madapa having 3 elegant porches.

-Garbhagrihva on the rear side having a processional passage. -Mandapa has 16 square pillars symmetrically laid inside and there are 2 more pillars in line in front of vestibule.

VIRUPAKSHA TEMPLE :
EXTERIOR:

-The temple contains the mouldings, pilasters, cornices, brackets, the floral scrollwork, perforated windows and ornamental carvings.

-Embellishment was mainly concentrated in the main wall between the basement and the cornice.
-The wall was divided by means of pilasters into well proportioned spaces alternating with perforated windows.
PILLARS:

-The upper end of the shaft of the pilaster was narrowed where it joins with the capital.
EARLIER FORM OF GOPURAM:

-A notable structure that is rising above the parapet at the back of its porches is an embryo Gopuram. -Inspired from this small monumental gate head further new designs were evolved, developed, modified and had attained remarkable shapes and sizes into large Gopurams.

DRAVIDIAN ARCHITECTURE
UNDER PALLAVAS (600 TO 900 C.E):

-This southern style of architecture can be conveniently divided into following 5 phases corresponding to dynasties and kingdoms, which ruled south India this time. -Pallavas- (600-900 C.E) -Cholas- (900-1150 C.E) -Pandyas- (1100-1350 C.E) -Hampi Vijaynagar- (1350-1565 C.E) -Madhurai (from 1600 C.E)

RATHAS, 650 C.E -A ratha is a chariot for taking processions of the image of the deity. -The existing rock boulders were cut and made into the form of rathas. -These rathas are not of great size, the largest is about 13m, the widest is 10.7m and the tallest is 12m. -They are 8 in all and 5 are Pandvas Rathas.
VIHARA TYPE RATHAS:

-These are square in plan and contain a solid cubical portion in the centre with a surrounding narrow passage consisting of front pillars. -Over the solid portion the pyramidal shikhara rises. -Shikhara contains finely proportioned and well contoured tiers, each one possessing a horizontal cornice.

-Largest type of ratha is Dharamraja ratha.

RATHAS, 650 C.E

'Five Rathas' at Mamallapuram,

Bhima Ratha

RATHAS, 650 C.E

Draupadi Ratha

Nakula Sahdeva Ratha

Arjuna Ratha

RATHAS, 650 C.E

CHAITYA TYPE RATHAS:

-The rathas, which followed the design of chaitya hall are oblong in plan and rise into 2 or more storeys. -Each has a kneel or barrel roof with a chaitya arch gable end. -Examples- Bhima Ratha, Sahadeva Ratha and Ganesha Ratha.
DRAUPADI RATHAS:

-The smallest, simplest and most finished of the series is the Draupadi ratha, which is an exception in its design. -This is merely a cell or Parnasala (thatched hut). -Its base is carved with the figures of animals of lion alternating with an elephant.

SHORE TEMPLE, MAMALLAPURAM -The first Pallava building to be constructed of dressed granite stone was the shore temple at Mamallapuram so named as it stands on the foreshore of the sea of Bay of Bengal.

-This was built by the King Narasimha Varman II.

PLAN:

-The temple is plainly visible to those approaching the harbour in ships like a light house. -Pallavas, the sea-faring people conducted worship of water in this temple. -There are shallow cisterns on the ground, which could be flooded on occasion. -Canals , conduits and receptacles were arranged to feed water to the cisterns. -The temple is a rare example having 2 main shrines placed asymmetrically not in axis one behind the other, one on east and the other on west.

SHORE TEMPLE, MAMALLAPURAM

PLAN:

SECTION:

SHORE TEMPLE, MAMALLAPURAM

SHORE TEMPLE, MAMALLAPURAM

SHORE TEMPLE, MAMALLAPURAM -This part is surrounded by a heavy outer wall with little space between for circulation. -These two shrines were built at the extreme end on east side of the complex.

-As there was no space in front of cella on east side, hence all the additional structures were added on the rear side of the shrine on west.
-A massive enclosure wall surrounds the building and western side was left entirely open.
EXTERIOR:

-In design and principle the monolithic Dharamraja ratha and the shore temple are the same. -There is the square lower storey and a pyramidal towers above. -Shikhara of Dharamraja ratha is short in height and the same for Shore temple is more elongated, graceful and fine.

SHORE TEMPLE, MAMALLAPURAM

PILLARS:

-The most remarkable are the rampant lion pilasters, which were multiplied whereever an upright support is required. -As the style progressed this Leogriff motif became more frequent and more characteristic symbol in Pallava structures.
SURROUNDING WALL:

-The enclosure wall was an imposing structure, its parapet and coping crowned by the figures of kneeling bulls.
-Boldly carved lion pilasters are projected at close intervals all around the exterior of the walls.

CHOLAS (900 TO 1150 C.E)

BRIHADESWARA TEMPLE, THANJAVUR:

-The great Brihadeswara temple of Thanjavur dedicated to Lord Siva was built and completed around the year 1010 C.E by the King Rajaraja Chola I, the great. -The temple stands within the fort. -This is the largest, highest and most ambitious production built in granite.

-It was completed within a record time of 6 years.

PLAN:

-The inner Prakaram of temple is 241m long 122m wide with a gopuram on east and 3 ordinary Torana entrances on other sides. -The main structure is 55m long and the Shikhara is 60m high. -The main temple contains several structures combined axially and placed in the centre of a spacious walled enclosure from east to west.

BRIHADESWARA TEMPLE, TANJORE

PLAN:

BRIHADESWARA TEMPLE, TANJORE

Temple entrance

BRIHADESWARA TEMPLE, TANJORE

Shrine of Ganapathy

Entrance to upper storey of main tower

Shiva Lingam at the temple

BRIHADESWARA TEMPLE, TANJORE -The compartments are : -Nandi Pavilion -Pillared Portico -Assembly Hall -Inner assembly Hall -Vestibule -Garbhagriha
EXTERIOR:

-The main feature of the entire temple is the grand tower of the Vimana at the western end over the sanctuary which dominates everything in its vicinity. -The massive pyramidal tower rose to some 60m high. -Double walls were built to carry the heavy load of Vimana structure of Brihadeswara temple. -50000 cucm. Of granite stone was used in this temple complex.

BRIHADESWARA TEMPLE, TANJORE -The body of Shikhara may be divided into 3 main following parts. -Square vertical base. -Tall tapering body. -Graceful domical finial. -The vertical body covers a square of 25m and rises to a height of 15m. -The plinth is extensively moulded and engraved with inscriptions. -Life size statues of deities like Durga, Lakshmi, Sarawathi, Veerabhadra, Natesha were enshrined in wall niches.

-The walls are superbly divided into panels by means of Pilaster framing niches.
-The pyramidal body mounts up in 13 diminishing tiers, until the width of its apex equals 1/3rd of its base.

-On the square platform thus obtained stands the large bulbous cupola.

BRIHADESWARA TEMPLE, TANJORE -The monolithic octagonal dome stone is weighing 80 tons made from a single rock. -The cupola has a recessed neck resting on a pyramidal tower.

PANDYAS (1100 TO 1350 C.E) Pandyas dominated south India for more than 2 centuries after succeeding Cholas.

Most temples were already built from early years and hence some facilitates and subsidary structures were added to the existing temples.

GOPURAM:

It is an imposing monumental entrance structure built in the temples of South India.

These are tall and magnificent, often appearing more than one in imp. Temples.

These pylon entrances with their embellishments were introduced frequently into the temple complexes.

The Pylon here is called the Gopuram.

This was derived from cow gate of early vedic villages. Gopuram consists of 4 parts.

PANDYAS (1100 TO 1350 C.E)

Rectangular cubical bottom containing entrance doors. Truncated pyramidal part rising tier by tier over the cubical base. Barrel vault above. Row of pinnacles.

PLAN:

A typical example of Gopuram depicts a building oblong in plan. It was entered by a passage from the centre of its longer side. The passage is a tall opening giving access into the temple enclosure.

EXTERIOR:

Externally it is a solid masonry structure containing a cubical base and a truncated pyramidal portion above crowned by barrel vault and row of pinnacles.

The super structure was built of light materials like brick and plaster. It is a truncated pyramid in diminishing tiers and was often raised over 46m in height.

PANDYAS (1100 TO 1350 C.E)

ROOF:

On the summit is a kind of elongated roof with gable ends. The vaulted roof is similar to the kneel roof of Buddhist chaitya hall. The roof is more ornate and is fantastic production with its gables. Metal kalashas were placed in a row on top in between the gables.

PANDYAS (1100 TO 1350 C.E)

View of Tiruvannamalai with Annamalaiyar temple towers in the centre and hills in the background

Meenakshi temple- South Gopuram with urved corners.

UNDER NAYAKS, MADURAI 1600 C.E

INTRODUCTION:

After the fall of Vijayanagar empire in 1565 C.E and owing to the pressure of Islamic aggression, the Hindu elements were forced further to the south of the city of Madurai, as the capital city now in Tamilnadu state.

During this time north India was under the reign of Mughals and no hindu temples were under construction since some 400 years except a few examples at Brindavan.

EXPANSION OF TEMPLES:

No. of imp. Temples already exist and they require some facilities and additional shrines the existing shrines, the result of which is that a no. of ancient temples became expanded into structural complexes of vast size and impressive appearance.

The inner portion of the temple was strictly reserved and secluded as the sacred habitation of the god and was not disturbed. The temple may be resolved into 2 main divisions.

Inner part, more covered and most sacred part. Outer part, more open, more public and less sanctified part.

UNDER NAYAKS, MADURAI 1600 C.E

PROCESS OF EXPANSION OF TEMPLES:

Expansion was proceeded on the following lines. The preliminary step in expansion was to enclose the shrine within a spacious structure.

Hence within this there grew up pillared aisles, verandahs, halls and other arrangements of like nature.

The entrance to this whole was through a small Gopuram in the front. Increasing temple rituals and ceremonies demanded additional accomodation.

Hence outside the enclosure sometime later the structures like granaries, storerooms, pillared halls and other edifices grew up.

Within these enclosures large and imp. Structures like Hypostyle halls of thousand pillars and water tank lined with steps and surrounded by an arcade were developed.

UNDER NAYAKS, MADURAI 1600 C.E

MANDALA PLAN:

In South India, temple complexes grew into temple towns. They were planned in Mandala form having prakarams (courts) and surrounding walls. Mandala is an interpretation of cosmological grid diagram.

The temple was built like a human body in which there are sheaths from Annamaya Kosha to Anandamaya kosha which is deep internal and subtle.

The temple courts interpret these sheaths.

Important towns are : Srirangam Chidambaram Madurai Kanchipuram Tirruvannamalai

MEENAKSHI TEMPLE, MADURAI (17TH CENTURY C.E)

LAYOUT AND PLANNING:

-One of the larger and greater temple of Dravidian architecture is the Meenakshi temple, Madurai of 17th century mostly built in one time.

-It is a double temple, as it has 2 separate sanctuaries, one dedicated to lord Siva and the other to his consort the goddess Meenakshi.
-These 2 shrines are temple within a temple.

-It was built is Mandala plan having courts, pillared halls and enclosure walls.
-The outer wall of the temple surrounds an area of 259m x 221m, with 4 large gateways one each in the centre of 4 sides. -Admission is through the Gopuram on east. -This is connected to a fine pillared avenue pavilion was placed.

MEENAKSHI TEMPLE, MADURAI (17TH CENTURY C.E)

MEENAKSHI TEMPLE, MADURAI (17TH CENTURY C.E)

MEENAKSHI TEMPLE, MADURAI (17TH CENTURY C.E)

SIVA ENCLOSURE:

-Inside the last enclosure the sacred shrine is situated. -This contains 3 compartments an Assembly hall, a vestibule and a Cella. -All the courts, coridors and halls have flat roofs supported on pillars. -The pillars are exquisite, beautiful and wondrous in their design. -At the other end the Cella was placed. -This was surrounded by a small Shikhara, which penetrates through the flat roofs of pillared halls.
MINAKSHI ENCLOSURE:

-The other temple of this complex is that of the consort or associate deity, Minakshithe fish eyed. -This enclosure is attached to the south of Siva temple to the rear.

MEENAKSHI TEMPLE, MADURAI (17TH CENTURY C.E) -This is a half-size production having one compartment within another. -It is entered through 2 Gopurams one on east and the other on west is larger.

-The enclosure is mostly covered with pillared halls and coridors.

POOL OF GOLDEN LOTUSES:

-Lying towards the front of Minakshi enclosure and in an angle to the south is a large rectangular water pool surrounded by steps and pillared coridors on its 4 sides. -This is the pool of golden lotuses, an artificial reservoir measuring 50m x 36m. -There are 11 Gopurams in total and it counts to 12.
ARIANAYAKAM MUDALIS HYPOSTYLE HALL:

-In the northeast portion of the outer enclosure, there is a spacious structure containing some thousand pillars added by Arianayakam Mudali, Minister and Founder of nayaks Dynasty.

-The interior consists of central passage with a double row of columns.

MEENAKSHI TEMPLE, MADURAI (17TH CENTURY C.E)

PUDUMANDAPAM OR TIRUMALAI NAYAKS CHOULTRY:

-In front of the temple and opp. To eastern Gopuram leaving a thoroughfare is a large hall called Pudu Mndapam also known as Tirumalas choultry.

-It measures 100m x 32m.

-It is a reception hall or temporary residence for the deity during the festival season.

HAMPI VIJAYANAGAR (1350 TO 1565 C.E)

INTRODUCTION:

-The powerful and forceful hampi Vijayanagar dominated entire South India for over 2 centuries from 1350 to 1565 C.E. -Vijayanagar was a great stronghold and a defensive rampart. -It was the period when the people were encouraged in arts and given greater freedom.
PLANNING OF TEMPLE:

-Buildings were increased in no. within the temple enclosure making it a complex. -In addition to main temple in the middle, there are separate shrines, pillared halls, pavilions and other annexes each having its purpose. -An imp. Such building that had taken place here is the Kalyana Mndapa ( Marriage Hall), a most ornate structure.

HAMPI VIJAYANAGAR (1350 TO 1565 C.E)

ORDER OF PILLARS:

-The no., intricacy and prominence of pillars and piers produced rich beauty in Vijaynagar temples.

-Each pillar is a figurative drama in stone.

-A very striking type of pillar design is that in which the shaft become merely a central core for the attachment of a group of statuary, often of heroic size.
CAPITALS:

-Ornamental brackets are the part of their capital as found in every stage of Dravidian order. -Below the bracket is a pendant or Bodegai, which was elaborated into a volute terminating in an inverted lotus bud.

VITTALA TEMPLE, HAMPI VIJAYANAGAR 16TH CENT, C.E :

It is the most exquisitely ornate temple building in Hampi Vijayanagar. It was begun by the emperor Sri Krishna Devaraya in 1513

PLAN:

It stands within a rectangular courtyard of 152m x 95m wide, which is surrounded by cloisters containing triple row of pillars.

Entrance is made three Gopurams, those on east and south being more important. There are 6 separate structures, mostly in the form of Pillared halls. The largest is the main temple occupying the center.

The central building is dedicated to Lord Vishnu in the form of Vittala and is a low structure of one storey.

It consists of following three compartments.

VITTALA TEMPLE, HAMPI VIJAYANAGAR 16TH CENT, C.E : Ardha mandapaor open pilllared portico in the front. Mandapa or closed Assembly hall in the middle. Garbha-griha or sanctuary in the rear.

ARDHA-MANDAPA:

The compartment which first attracts is Ardha-mandapa or a columned pavilion measuring 30m side with deeply recessed sides.

This stands on a moulded plinth, 1.5m high with flights of steps elephant guarded on its 3 free sides.

The whole is heavily shadowed by means of an immensely wide eave.

ORDER OF PILLLARS.:

The chief feature of this columned hallis its range of pillars, 56 in no.s each 3.6m in height.

Each pier comprises an entire sculpted group, being fashioned out of one large block of granite.

VITTALA TEMPLE, HAMPI VIJAYANAGAR 16TH CENT, C.E :

Cluster of delicately shaped columns form the central portion of these broad supports, while interposed between them is the rearing animal motif, half natural half mythical but wholly rhythmic.

MANDAPA AND SANCTUARY:

The Mandapa and sanctuary combined is a rectangle of 41m long and 21m wide. This is entered from east. In addition it has 2 side entrances each having steps and a porch. This is a square hall of 16.80m side. It has 16 pillars in all.

EXTERIOR:

The exterior walls of the remainder building were conventionally built with pilaster niche and alcove combination.

The Vimana was rather unusual.

VITTALA TEMPLE, HAMPI VIJAYANAGAR 16TH CENT, C.E : It has a processional passage down with the level of the courtyard with 2 flights of steps.

KALYANA MANDAPA (MARRIAGE HALL) :

Out of the remaining structures of the enclosure more ornate is Kalyana Mandapa, placed on south east side to the temple.

It is an open pavilion resembling the ardha Mandapa.

This has a high plinth with deeply recessed sides and flights of steps in the centre of 3 of them.

There are 48 piers all of which were exquisitely carved.

RATHA (CHARIOT) :

Within the main axis of the temple and in front of Ardha-Mandapa is a Ratha or chariot of God built in stone containing wheels and elephant guards at the steps. Every feature is imitated in granite and upper part like Shikhara was in brick and mortar, which is now disappeared.

VITTALA TEMPLE, HAMPI VIJAYANAGAR 16TH CENT, C.E :

Stone chariot

Vittala templ, Hampi Vijayanagar