CHOLAS
INTRODUCTION Political decline of pallavas during ninth century was followed by emergence of Cholas as ultimate power in south. Later half of the 9th century till the beginning of the 13th century Fertile valley of the Kaveri river Worshipper of lord Shiva and made temples dedicated to Shiva. period is divided into two phase 1.Early Cholas.
2.Later Cholas.
CHOLAS
History Cholas arose in south of Deccan plateau and centered around Tanjore presently Chennai. Developed Dravidian style and almost perfected it. Great builders ,execute work on stupendous scale. Emperor Rajaraja chola (9851014) and his son Rajendra chola(1012-1044) established their empire around Orissa in east and Goa in west
CHOLAS
Architecturally Work in most hardest stones granite ,charkockite
Did supreme creations in short time Work on harmony, uniquely combining of beautiful elements ,irable is the articulation of the ground storied walls.
Treatment of base is the finest feature. Adherence to typical Dravidian style Base derived from Pallavas works
Modest in scale & simple in plan Carpentry was the starting point for their architectural style
Main Temples
Brihradeshwara temple at tanjore
Gangaikondacholapura m brihadeshwara temple
Koranganath temple at srinivasanallur
Airavateshwara temple at Darasuram
GANGAIKONDACHOLAPURAM A view:-
GANGAIKONDACHOLAPURAM •Plan rectangular in shape 240ft along EW axis • Mandapa 175ft. deep 90ft. wide connected to antarala. • Mandapa is a low rise structure with flat roof ed on more than 150 pillars • Encloser is 350ft long and 110ft wide •Vimana is 150ft having 9 storeys.
Plan of Gangaikondacholapuram
MAHISHASURMARDINI WELL
NANDI PALLION
VIMANA The Sri Vimana consists of the following parts beginning with the lowest basement. 1. The basement (upapitha) 2. The base (adhishtana) 3. The wall (bhitti) 4. The roof cornice (prastara) 5. The garland of miniature shrines (hara) 6. The storeys (tala or bhumi) 7. The neck (griva) 8. The crown (sikhara)
Vimana
BRIHADESHWARA TEMPLE AT 1.Also known as TANJORE VIEW OF TEMPLE Rajarajeswaram. Constructed by Rajaraja chola 2.Most magnificent temple of this period 3.Temple complex consist of main temple stone shrine ,a nandi pavallion and a gopuram. 4.Main complex is 250ft wide, 216ft high 5.Surrounded by all sides with a five storied entrance gopuram in the east. 6.Main structure is a square of 180 ft side
PLAN OF BRIHADESHWARA TEMPLE
45ft side
SECTIONAL ELEVATION OF TEMPLE
Plan of main sanctum or garbhagriha
Section of 14 storied shikhar with vimana
BRIHADES HWARA TEMPLE ,TANJORE • Fourteen storied shikhara ( vimana ) is 190ft high • On top of it is alarge monolithic dome which weighs 81 tone.
VIMANA OF THE
A frieze of yali heads run around whole structure. Sculpted walls throughout
Detail of celing in the temple
INTERIOR OF TEMPLE
GIGANTIC MONOLITHIC DOME
SCULPTURES ON WALLS
INTERIOR OF TEMPLE
Nandi pavallion inside temple premises
FRONT VIEW
SIDE VIEW
13 STORIED SHIKHAR
KORANGNATH TEMPLE Koranganatha temple situated on the banks of the river Cauvery at Srinivasanallur about 50 kms from Tiruchy on the Tiruchy - Salem highway, The temple was built by the king Parantaka I and is dedicated to the god Ranganatha.. Koranganatha Temple is a fine masterpiece of art and culture features some of the finest early Chola stone sculptures and artifacts. The base of the temple wall boasts a row of sculpted mythical animals called ‘yazhi’ - it is a unique feature of Chola architecture. On one side of the temple wall there is a beautiful statue of Lord Dakshinamurthy sculpted on it. Word koranganath is derived from a Tiruchirapalli Airport is the nearest airport. monkey (KORANGU)
VIEW OF KORANGNATH TEMPLE
FLOOR PLAN OF TEMPLE
KORANGNATH TEMPLE •Has a square vimana • A pillared hall mandapa •Mandapa contains fine sculptures ,
•Total length is 50ft., • former rectangle 25ft by 20ft, later a square of 25ft side.
•Shikhara or tower is 50ft, •cornice of the mandapa measures 16ft • small hall - four pillars comprises the interior
•a vestibule and age leading to the cella square chamber (12ft side).
FRONT VIEW
KORANGNATH TEMPLE Important characteristic has several full length sculptures of Hindu Gods and Goddesses housed in recesses of wall VIMANA. On southern wall -well rendered scenes representing the goddess Kali as Dakshina, with Saraswati on her left and Lakshami on the right, while below is Asura, the enemy of gods.
SIDE VIEW
SIDE VIEW
Airavateshwara temple at
Darasuram It is located at Darasuram ,in
Kumbakonam district , built by Rajaraja ll. The Airatesvara temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. This legend is commemorated by an image of Airavata with Indra seated in an inner shrine. Both the exterior and the interior of the temple are filled with these fine artistic works, in different sizes and shapes.
The front mandapam itself is in the form of a huge chariot drawn by horses.
Airavateshwara temple at THE MOST Darasuram CONSPICUOUS
PART OF EMBELLISHMENT ON THE EXTERIOR ARE THE DEVAKOSHTHA NICHES FRAMED BY PILASTERS THE BRICK BUILT 5 STOREYED VIMANA IS COVERED WITH SALAS AND KUDUS.
IT ALSO DEPICTS THE EPISODES FROM THE LIVES OF SHAIVA SAINTS. THE PLANNNED COLONNADES CONTAIN RICHLY ORNAMENTED PILLARS AND PROJECTING A view of temple MANDAPAS AT THE FOUR CORNERS.
It has lavished carving and design of the balustrades and pillars, depicting galloping horses and elephants pulling the wheel. Pillars in interior of projecting section of mandapa are unique in design with three oblong and two polygonal sections on each . Medallions of scrollwork with dancers and musicians, religious themes and campaigns have been carved on different section and ceilings. Use of black basalt for sculpture icons, enhanced by use of engaged columns.
LAVISHLY CARVED PILLARS
The gopura stands on the eastern wall of enclosure.
The vimana over the garbha griha is axially inclined with ardha mandapa.
The vimana is 24 m (80 ft) high and base is decorated with mouldings,friezes,and small niches.
To the east of the inner court lies the a group of well-carved buildings, one of which is the Balipita ('seat for sacrifice')that ads a small shrine containing image of Ganesha.
In the south-west corner of the court is a mandapam having 4 shrines. One of these has an image of Yama.
Main sanctum drawn by chariot wheels
Horse and elephants drawn chariot drawn on front of mandapa of temple.
Different views of temple
The small niches and plastering done on vimana and interior.
PILLAR DIFFERENTIATION
How they differ from pallavas • There are no large rearing lions or yalis at the base of pillars and pilasters • A Rounded kumuda replaces octagonal champhered one in all but the plainest temples and a fine frieze of the serried heads and shoulders of yalis and some times other animals runs • Lastely a row of tanghent circles in low relief runs along the bottom edge of the main cornice moulding.
THANK YOU
Mohd. Saif. Mohd. Suhail Nadeem Waris Nikita Rastogi