Tamil Nadu Temples

" Devotion At Highest Levels ! "

" Tamil Nadu can easily be referred to as the 'The Land of Temples' for its unmatched mastery in designing temples. Tamil Nadu is home to more than 30,000 temples with every one of them being an architectural wonder. The temples were constructed over a vast period of time by various dynasties. Tamil Nadu is where the legacy of ancient Dravidian art and culture is still preserved in all its glory. The temples are the greatest mark that Dravidians left on the face of Tamil Nadu.

The main principle behind every temple is almost the same with same composition. There are Gopurams, huge gateways, pillared hallways and a Sanctum Sactorum. However it is the subtle effects given to the temple that makes then standout. The carvings, the size of hallways, the shape of the gopurams are all different. Unlike other states where century old temples are no more operational and are just a tourism attraction, Temples of Tamil Nadu still hold daily rituals and one has to maintain complete purity inside the temples. So tourists are advised to follow all the rules. The temples were also much more than a place of worship. They were a place for social gathering, for education, for celebration.

Marvels of Temple Architecture

The most noticeable contribution to Tamil Nadu Temple architecture was made by the Pallavas, Cholas, Pandyas, Vijayanagar rulers and the Nayakas. Every one of these dynasties believed heavily in innovations and tried not to copy the style of any other dynasty. This gave the architects exposure to different types of temples. And with every passing dynasty, their mastery only grew. Ever since, people of Tamil Nadu are known to be the best Temple builders in India. The earliest temples were built uisng brick and mortar. Up till 700 AD, temples were replicated out of caves. The Pallava Kings were the first known dynasty to have given great priority to construction of temples. They also started and perfected the art of constructing temples of stone. The Cholas (900-1250 AD) have a number of monuments to their credit. The most well known temple by Cholas that still stands today is The Brihadeeswarar Temple in Tanjavur. The carvings on it are simply out of this world. The Cholas added many ornate mandpams or halls to temples and built large gopurams - towers.

The high wall enclosures, gigantic towers and magnificent gateway arches were all the contribution of Pandya Dynasty and the carved pillars are the addition of Vijayanagar Dynasty. Today, thousands of temples with rising towers adorn skyline of the entire state of Tamil Nadu. Temples from the pre Christian era as well as those from the 20th century exist in this state, where the ancient rulers have made outstanding contributions to the growth of these monuments of great artistic value. The spectacular architecture of these temples indeed inspires architectural innovation.