Delhi BJP unit to get new office built in ‘Hampi tradition’

  • June 9, 2023
  • Posted by: OptimizeIAS Team
  • Category: DPN Topics
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Delhi BJP unit to get new office built in ‘Hampi tradition’

Subject: History

Section: Art and culture

The foundation of the temples in South India was provided by the Pallava rulers but the original Dravida style of temple architecture came to light under the Chola rulers. Later under the Vijayanagar rulers and nayakas, this style of temple architecture was further enriched.

Basic features of the Dravida Style of temple architecture are:

  1. The tower in Dravida Style is known as ‘Vimana’ which is a pyramidal structure with sliding sides.
  2. ‘Vimana’ is not only created on the ‘Garbhagriha’ but also on the ‘Gopurams’.
  3. ‘Gopurams’ is an entrance gateway.
  4. Boundary wall is a necessary feature.
  5. Presence of water tank within the premise which is meant for religious ablutions.
  6. They like the ‘Nagara’ style, also follow the ‘Panchayatan’ style and crucified ground plan.
  7. At the entrance of ‘Garbhagriha’ images of ‘Dwarapala’ are placed to guard the temple, and in some temples images of embracing couples (mithun) are placed.
  8. The ‘Garbhagriha’ is connected through a very small passage known as ‘Antaral’ to the ‘Mandapa’.

E.g. Brihadeshwara temple at Thanjavur.

Ranganath Swami temple at Srirangam.

There are mainly 2 types of substyles of Dravidian temple architecture, these are:

1) Vijayanagar style:

  1. Developed under Vijayanagar rulers, especially under the patronage of Krishna Deva Raya.
  2. They created huge ‘Gopurams’ and very high enclosure walls.
  3. They introduced the concept of ‘Amma’ shrine which is dedicated to the chief wife of the main deity.
  4. They also came up with the concept of ‘Kalyana Mandapa’ which was meant for marriages.
  5. One of the interesting structures is a flat stone platform known as ‘dibba’, meant for the rituals and sacrifices. E.g. Mahanavami Dibba at Hampi.

E.g. Thousand pillar temple and Vithalswami temple at Hampi.

Lepakshi temple at Lepakshi in Andhra Pradesh.

Nayaka style:

  • Nayakas rose after the fall of the Vijayanagara empire and they constructed temples in and around Madurai.
  1. They not only created huge ‘Gopurams’ but also increased their numbers.
  2. Very prominent feature of the Nayaka style is the presence of a huge corridor called ‘Prakaram’ and used to connect all the parts of the temple.

E.g. Meenakshi temple at Madurai.

Delhi BJP unit to get new office built in ‘Hampi tradition’ History