PALLAVA ARCHITECTURE

WHY IN NEWS?

Times of India: Stone inscriptions of Pallava-Chola period found

BACKGROUND

Temple architecture in South India began under the reign of Pallavas.

The Pallavas were instrumental in the transition from rock-cut architecture to structural stone temples.

 PHASES

ROCT CUT PHASE

Mahendra Phase:

The 1^st stage of Pallava architecture was the rock cut temple architecture built under Mahendravarman

Technique: Instead of using traditional materials like brick, wood etc structures were built by hewing rocks and caves

Examples: Mandagapattu cave temple at Villipuram ( Dedicated to Brahma-Shiva- Vishnu)

Cave temples built during these periods have simple architecture consisting of a pillared verandah(mandapa) and a shrine cut into one of the walla of the cave

(Imp feature: Dwarapalas/ gatekeepers sculpted into the pillar)

 Narasimha Varman 1

• The rock cut temples began to be richly embellished with sculptural representations of famous Hindu legends and Gods.
• Apart from the rock-cut mandapatype temples, monolithic temples in the form of rathas and huge open air -reliefs were also constructed.

EXAMPLES

1.Intricately carved Descent of the Ganges/Arjuna’s Penance at Mammalapuram(open air relief)

2.Pancha Rathas

3.Varaha Mandapa

Vishnu in the Varaha avatar lifting Bhudevi(Goddess Earth)

This temple also contains the sculpture of Mahendravarman and Narasimhavarman 1.

Trivikrama Vishnu in Varaha mandapa

Gajalakshmi Panel: Representation of Goddess Lakshmi

She is shown with her hand holding lotus flowers, fawned by four attendants.

Durga Panel

4.Mahishasura Mardini temple

Mahishasuramardini Panel

the Goddess Durga is depicted with eight arms holding various weapons and fighting with the Asura named Mahisasura

Ananta Vishnu Panel

Vishnu reclining on Adishesha.

STRUCTURAL TEMPLE PHASE

• In this phase free-standing shrines were constructed with stone and mortar brought in for the purpose. Monuments of this phase are of two groups – the Rajasimha group (690 to 800 AD) and the Nandivarman group (800 to 900 AD)

EXAMPLES

Narasimha/Rajasimha Group

1.Shore Temple at Mahabalipuram and the Kanchi Kailasanathar Temple at Kanchipuram

Nandivarman group of monuments

 1.Vaikunta Perumal Temple at Kanchipuram