South Indian temple architecture

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General Info on temple structure around us.

 

The basic structure of temples in India is a room or the Garbhagriha (sanctum

sanctorum) where the idol of the main deity is kept. The temple is approached by

a flight of steps and is often built on a platform. A porch covers the entrance

to the temples, which is supported by carved pillars. A prominent roof called

the shikhara surmounts the top of the Garbhagriha, and dominates the

surroundings. As time went by, small temples grew into temple complexes. However

the temples of the Hindus and the Jains have many similarities and

dissimilarities in their making and outlook.

 

Temple architecture in India is broadly divided into the northern and southern

styles. Temple architecture has been classified according to the form and shape

of the shikhara and the distinctiveness of its decoration. The shikharas of the

temples in south India tend to be made up of distinct horizontal levels that

diminish to form a rough pyramid. Each level is decorated with miniature temple

rooftops. Some south Indian temples, like the Minakshi temple, also have tall

shikharas over elaborate gateways or gopurams, to add to the overall symmetry of

the temple complex. The shikharas of the temples in north and central India, in

contrast, resemble an upturned cone that is decorated with miniature conical

shikharas. Some temples developed their own local flavor, while following the

basic regional style.

 

The Jain temple at Karkala, although located in the southern part of India, does

not have the lavish shikharas and gopurams like most South Indian Hindu temples.

It is completely Dravidian and simple in character and has a flat roof.

Influences of Buddhist architecture can also be detected in this temple. The

Jain temples are similar to their Hindu counterparts in many ways (basic

structure, pillared galleries, carved pillars, etc), but the lavish and minute

carvings and the use of marble?as Jains associate white with purity?set them

apart from their Hindu counterparts. The Jain temples in the Southern part of

India do not generally use marble but make use of granite, which lends strength

to the structure but is extremely hard to work on. Other important aspects of

the south Indian Jain temples, which set them apart from their northern

counterparts, are their simplicity and huge monolithic sculptures of their

deities