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 ,admirable 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
Koranganath temple at srinivasanallur Airavateshwara temple at Darasuram

Brihradeshwara temple at tanjore

Gangaikondacholapura m brihadeshwara temple

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 supported 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 passage 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 adjoins 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