Home » Temples of South India, Famous Temples of India

Temples of South India | Famous Temples of India

India has wealthy cultural and historical heritage well preserved in its temple architecture and pilgrim sites. From the majestic Himalayan ranges in the North, to Kanyakumari in the South, India is arrayed with thousand of shrines, temples and worship places dating back to hundreds of years.

Many theories have been formulated to explain the existence of these holy sites in such a huge number, paving the path to attain salvation or "nirvana". The statuary and beautification in these ancient temples showcases one of the world's foremost artistic heritages. The designs of major temples have augmented into enormous architectural splendor.

Southern India is dotted with places of religious interest. There are several towns that are referred to as the temple towns owing to the splendor of the temples they are home to. Southern India is sprinkled with places of religious interest.

South Indian Temple Tour - There are several towns that are referred to as the temple towns owing to the magnificence of the temples they are home to. Rameshwaram is an island- of Lord Rama's temple at Tamil Nadu is a terrific destination.

Along with being a major pilgrimage for the Hindus, Rameshwaram is a happening holiday spot too. Rameshwaram is significant for the Hindus as a pilgrimage to Benaras is incomplete without a Pilgrimage to Rameshwaram.

South Indian Temple Tour - Architecture of South Indian Temples is the style that developed in the Dravida Desam. The Vimana and the Gopurams are the unique characteristics of the Southern style. The Vimana is a tall pyramidal tower consisting of several more and more smaller stories. This stands on a square base.

The Gopuram has two stories divided by a horizontal molding. The Prakara or the outer wall, envelops the main shrine as well as the other smaller shrines, the tank. The Pallavas, the Cholas, the Pandyas, the Vijayanagar rulers, the Nayaks all contributed to the Southern style of temples.

The period of the reign of Hoysalas is from AD 1100-1350. The temples erected by the Hoysala kings have complex plans with numerous angled projections. The Chlorite stone was carved on the surface with remarkable precision.

South Indian Temple Tour, The columns of the temples are multi-faceted. The example of the Hoysala temples can still be seen at Belur, Halebid and Sringeri. The temple building activity came to an abrupt end due to the Muslim invasion.

The construction of temples gained fervor once again during the period of the Vijayanagara Empire. The characteristic feature of the temples of this period the growth of the temple complexes. The temples are concentric sequence of rectangular enclosure walls having gopuras in the center.

The best examples of the temples of Vijaynagara are at Hampi.Mahabalipuram or Mamallapuram was the important seaport of the Pallava rulers. The place is famous now for some of the greatest architectural and sculptural specimen in India. The beautiful cave temples and gigantic open air reliefs carved from blocks of granite date to the 7th century AD.

The Shore temples at Mahabalipuram were built during the reign of Rajasimha in the 7th century AD and marks the of zenith of the Pallava art and architecture. The temple was designed to catch the first rays of the rising sun and to illuminate the waters after dark. Thus the temple has an unusual layout.

The Shore Temple was the first Pallava structure to be built of stone rather than being hewn out of stone like the older temples. The greatest improvement in design is in the shikhara or spire, which has altered from the rounded vihara design to a soaring, tiered style.

Elements like the vimana or spire, the gopuram or gateway and animal figures that were to become trademark features of Dravidian architecture can all be seen here. And it is largely the use of dressed stone, which gave the architects greater creative freedom.

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