| Title | Dravida architecture style |
|---|---|
| Description | Originating in South India, Dravida architecture is characterized by its towering gopurams, intricate carvings, and pyramidal vimanas over the sanctum sanctorum, often dedicated to Shiva or Vishnu. |
| Tags | Gopuram Vimana Dravida Temple architecture Mandapa South India South Indian Temple South Indian architecture Dravida architecture South Indian temple Sculpture Agama Shastra Hindu Architecture Shilpa Shastras Hindu architecture South Indian Temple Architecture South Indian temple architecture Temple tank Pillar vimana gopuram south Indian temple Temple Hindu Pancharatra Agama Kovil Temple Tank Agama Prakara Granite Tala Tiered tower Southern Indian temple Pyramidal tower tiered tower sculptural ornamentation geometric design Shaivism Hindu Temple Agamas Gopuram architecture Agama traditions Religious architecture Agama Shastras Garbhagriha Shikhara Hinduism Southern Indian Temple Architecture Pyramidal Tower Tiered towers Sculptural ornamentation Prakaram Hindu temple Deity Temple Art South Indian Architecture Stupi Pillared halls Vastu Shastra Sculptures Tiered Tower Tala system Stucco South Indian Saiva Vaishnava Agama shastra Pancharatra Vaishnavism Fortress-like enclosure Granite construction Pilgrimage architecture Shaiva Dravida temple architecture Sacred Geometry |
| Style ID | INHF-594267806-18-11-25-DE |
| URI | https://www.inheritage.foundation/aat/styles/dravida-architecture-style |
| API Endpoint | https://inheritage.foundation/api/v1/aat/styles/dravida-architecture-style |
| Total Sites | 118 |
| Primary Sites | 58 |
| Created | November 19, 2025 |
| Last Updated | November 19, 2025 |
| Regions | Tamil Nadu Andhra Pradesh Kerala Karnataka Telangana Goa Sri Lanka Southern India South India Mizoram |
|---|
| Time Periods | 7th-18th century CE 7th century CE - 18th century CE 7th Century CE 8th Century CE 9th Century CE 10th Century CE 11th Century CE 12th Century CE 13th Century CE 14th Century CE 15th Century CE 16th Century CE 17th Century CE 18th Century CE 7th century CE 8th century CE 9th century CE 10th century CE 11th century CE 12th century CE 13th century CE 14th century CE 15th century CE 16th century CE 17th century CE 18th century CE 7th century CE onwards 6th-18th century CE 6th century CE to 18th century CE 7th-18th Century CE 7th Century CE onwards 7th century CE to 18th century CE 7th-18th centuries CE 19th Century CE 20th Century CE 21st Century CE |
|---|---|
| Dynasties | Pallava dynasty Chola dynasty Pandya dynasty Vijayanagara dynasty Pallava Chola Pandya Vijayanagara Nayaka Pallava Dynasty Chola Dynasty Pandya Dynasty Vijayanagara Empire Nayaka dynasties Nayaka Dynasty Pallavas Cholas Pandyas Badami Chalukya Nayaka dynasty Chalukya |
| Sacred Contexts | Hindu temples Agama-based rituals Royal patronage Agamic rituals Hindu temples, especially those dedicated to Shiva and Vishnu Vaishnava shrines Shaiva shrines Pancharatra Agama Shaiva temples Vaishnava temples Shakta temples Hindu Temples Amman temples Kovils Temples Hindu temples (especially Shaiva and Vaishnava) Hindu temples, especially those dedicated to Shiva, Vishnu, and Shakti Hindu temples, especially Vaishnava and Shaiva traditions Saiva temples Murugan shrines Hindu temples, especially Shaiva and Vaishnava Saiva Vaishnava Shakta Pilgrimage sites Hindu temples, especially those dedicated to Vishnu and Shiva Kovil Agamic traditions |
|---|---|
| Associated Deities | Shiva Vishnu Devi Murugan Shakti Ganesha Devi (various forms) Kartikeya Parvati Lakshmi Amman Rama Hanuman Krishna Vishnu (especially Venkateswara) Venkateswara Other Vaishnava deities |
| Primary Materials | Granite Sandstone Brick Stucco Soapstone Lime mortar Timber Stone Laterite |
|---|---|
| Architectural Features | Gopurams Vimanas Mandapas Pillared halls Gopuram Vimana Mandapa Prakara Sculptures Intricate carvings Prakarams Sculptural carvings Vimana (tower) Gopuram (gateway tower) Mandapa (hall) Garbhagriha (sanctum) Prakara (enclosure wall) Sculptural ornamentation Garbhagriha Water tanks Dwajastambha Pyramidal vimana Dvarapalas Pillars Vimana (tiered tower) Gopuram (gateway) Mandapa (pillared hall) Temple Tank Pillared Halls Sculptural Decoration Enclosure walls Gopurams (gateway towers) Vimanas (pyramidal towers) Mandapas (pillared halls) Shikhara Vimana (pyramidal tower) Mandapam Stucco Sculptural details Pradakshina Patha Dvarapala Water Tanks Kuta Sala Chaultri Ornate carvings Temple Tank (Kalyani) Prakaram Sculpted pillars Stucco figures Vimanas (temple towers) |
| Keywords | Gopuram Vimana Dravida Temple architecture Mandapa South India South Indian Temple South Indian architecture Dravida architecture South Indian temple Sculpture Agama Shastra Hindu Architecture Shilpa Shastras Hindu architecture South Indian Temple Architecture South Indian temple architecture Temple tank Pillar vimana gopuram south Indian temple Temple Hindu Pancharatra Agama Kovil Temple Tank Agama Prakara Granite Tala Tiered tower Southern Indian temple Pyramidal tower tiered tower sculptural ornamentation geometric design Shaivism Hindu Temple Agamas Gopuram architecture Agama traditions Religious architecture Agama Shastras Garbhagriha Shikhara Hinduism Southern Indian Temple Architecture Pyramidal Tower Tiered towers Sculptural ornamentation Prakaram Hindu temple Deity Temple Art South Indian Architecture Stupi Pillared halls Vastu Shastra Sculptures Tiered Tower Tala system Stucco South Indian Saiva Vaishnava Agama shastra Pancharatra Vaishnavism Fortress-like enclosure Granite construction Pilgrimage architecture Shaiva Dravida temple architecture Sacred Geometry |
|---|
| Title | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| History of South Indian Architecture | book | Comprehensive overview of Dravidian architectural principles |
| Indian Architecture (Buddhist and Hindu Periods) | book | Comprehensive study of Dravidian architectural principles. |
| History of South India | book | |
| Indian Architecture (Buddhist, Hindu, Jain) | Book | General overview of Dravida architecture. |
| History of South Indian Temples | Book | Comprehensive overview of Dravida temple architecture. |
| The Art and Architecture of the Indian Subcontinent | Book | |
| K.R. Srinivasan, Temples of South India | Book | Classic text on Dravida temple architecture. |
| The Art of South India: Deccan | book | Focuses on the art and architecture of the Deccan region. |
| History of South Indian Temple Architecture | Book | Comprehensive overview of Dravida temple styles. |
| George Michell, 'The Hindu Temple: An Introduction to Its Meaning and Forms' | book | General introduction to Hindu temple architecture. |
| The Art of the Vijayanagara Empire | Book | |
| History of Dravidian Architecture | Book | |
| Indian Temple Architecture: Form and Substance | Book | Comprehensive study of temple architecture across India. |
| The History of Indian and Eastern Architecture | Book | Comprehensive overview of Indian architectural styles. |
| Dravidian Architecture | Book | |
| Indian Architecture (Buddhist and Hindu Period) | Book | General overview of Dravidian architecture. |
| Indian Temple Architecture: Form and Transformation | Book | Comprehensive study of temple architecture across India. |
| The Art of South India: India & China | book | |
| The Art of South India: India & Sri Lanka | Book | Detailed analysis of Dravidian architectural elements and their evolution. |