During the Pallava period in South India, temples underwent significant architectural changes. Some were small, while others were quite ambitious in their design. The layout of these temples began to get more intricate, especially for the larger temples.
- Shrine-niches: These are small alcoves or recesses that surrounded the primary tower of the temple (called “vimana”). They added beauty and depth to the temple’s design.
- Mukhamandapa and Ardhamandapa: Initially, there was a simple entrance area (mukhamandapa) in temples. Over time, this grew in size and complexity, evolving into what’s known as ardhamandapa, a more expansive entrance hall.
- Upapitha: This is like a secondary platform or base upon which the temple stands. However, its use was infrequent during this period. Interestingly, for the first time, a particular type of foundation, called Padmabandha adhisthana, began to appear.
- Adhisthana: This refers to the temple’s base or platform. It’s one of the fundamental components of the temple and often ornately decorated.
- Elephant heads: These began to emerge in temple designs, adding a distinctive touch to the temple’s corners.
The sides of the primary tower were not only adorned with main deity figures but also with numerous accompanying ones, bringing life and stories to the temple walls. Over time, temples displayed a variety of these figures and representations, enhancing the visual storytelling element.
In this period, temple architecture saw a mix of new innovations and more detailed embellishments. Yet, in the process, some of the earlier clarity and perfection in design were compromised. It’s like saying, while the temples became more intricate and elaborate, they lost some of their original simplicity and purity.- This period of architecture saw a mix of both small and large buildings. When looking at the blueprints or layouts of these temples, we see some more intricate designs, especially in the bigger temples. The main part of the temple is surrounded by small decorative alcoves.
Earlier, the entrance of temples was quite simple. Now, it’s more detailed, almost like a small hall before entering the main temple. Although there were some new design elements introduced during this period, some older styles were still present. For the first time, there’s a specific foundational design used, as shown in an illustration.
Various parts of the temple are now decorated more elaborately. For instance, the raised platform of the temple has intricate designs, and elephant head motifs now appear on the corners of a particular section.
The pillars on the sides of the main temple, especially the ones at the corners, show designs that look like mythical creatures. The walls of these temples are adorned with both main deities and a plethora of secondary figures. Among these, there are newer portrayals of Lord Shiva engaged in various activities. We can also find many smaller figures like celestial beings, musicians, and attendants in these temples. The depictions are rich and dense, filled with numerous relevant figures. One common representation of Lord Shiva and his family, which was rare in earlier phases, is now frequently seen. The symbol of Lord Shiva, known as the Shiva linga, during this time, often has a specific shape.
Certain architectural details in this phase have also evolved. For instance, the structures that protrude from the main temple body are slightly longer than before. In some designs, certain elements from the earlier temples are no longer present. Instead, mythical figures or bull symbols are placed at the corners. We can also see specific deities being depicted at the major points of some larger temples. When it comes to the top part of the temple, sometimes the design is such that certain deities are not shown. This period also witnessed some modifications to the temple’s pinnacle, with some temples showcasing a unique shape that’s slightly inward, while others have a taller, more stretched look.
Reference:
Dhaky, M. A., Michael W. Meister, George Michell, U. S. Moorti, und American Institute of Indian Studies, Hrsg. 1983. Encyclopaedia of Indian Temple Architecture. New Delhi: American Institute of Indian Studies. http://archive.org/details/encyclopaediaofi0000unse_v1v8.
