| Title | South Indian Temple architecture style |
|---|---|
| Description | Characterized by Dravida vimanas, gopurams, and intricate carvings, this style flourished under dynasties like the Cholas, Pandyas, and Pallavas, primarily using granite and sandstone. |
| Tags | Dravida Vimana Gopuram Mandapa Shilpa Shastra Temple architecture South India Sculpture Temple Hindu Agama Hinduism Sculptures Pillar |
| Style ID | INHF-816634769-18-11-25-SA |
| URI | https://www.inheritage.foundation/aat/styles/south-indian-temple-architecture-style |
| API Endpoint | https://inheritage.foundation/api/v1/aat/styles/south-indian-temple-architecture-style |
| Total Sites | 16 |
| Primary Sites | 0 |
| Created | November 19, 2025 |
| Last Updated | November 19, 2025 |
| Regions | Tamil Nadu Karnataka Andhra Pradesh Kerala Telangana |
|---|
| Time Periods | 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-18th century CE 7th century CE onwards 7th Century CE Present Various 7th-19th century CE |
|---|---|
| Dynasties | Chola Dynasty Pallava Dynasty Pandya Dynasty Vijayanagara Empire Pallava dynasty Chola dynasty Pandya dynasty Hoysala Dynasty Pallava Chola Pandya Vijayanagara Nayaka Nayaka dynasty Chalukya Dynasty |
| Sacred Contexts | Hindu Temples Hindu temples |
|---|---|
| Associated Deities | Shiva Vishnu Devi Shakti Ganesha Murugan |
| Primary Materials | Granite Sandstone Laterite Soapstone Brick Stucco Stone |
|---|---|
| Architectural Features | Vimana Gopuram Mandapa Garbhagriha Dvarapalas Sculptures Pillared halls Water tanks Gopuram (gateway) Mandapa (pillared hall) Gopurams Mandapas Vimanas Pillars Prakarams Temple tanks Dwajastambha Prakara Kalyani |
| Keywords | Dravida Vimana Gopuram Mandapa Shilpa Shastra Temple architecture South India Sculpture Temple Hindu Agama Hinduism Sculptures Pillar |
|---|
| Title | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Indian Temple Architecture: Form and Transformation | Book | |
| The Art and Architecture of the Indian Subcontinent | Book | Provides a broad overview of South Indian temple styles. |
| South Indian Shrines | book | Overview of South Indian temple architecture. |
| South Indian Temples | book | General overview of South Indian temple architecture |
| History of South India | Book | Provides historical context for temple development. |
| The Art of South India: India & China | Book | |
| Indian Temple Architecture: Form and Celebration | Book | Comprehensive overview of Indian temple architecture. |
| Indian Temple Architecture: Form and Decoration | Book | General overview of South Indian temple forms |
| Site Name | Status | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Adam's Peak Sri Pada Central Province Sri Lanka | Secondary | 100% |
| Brihadeeswarar Temple Thanjavur | Secondary | 100% |
| Gnana Saraswathi Temple Basar Telangana | Secondary | 100% |
| Karmanghat Hanuman Temple Hyderabad | Secondary | 100% |
| Mariamman Temple Ho Chi Minh City | Secondary | 100% |
| Murudeshwar Temple Murudeshwar | Secondary | 100% |
| Palani Murugan Temple Palani | Secondary | 100% |
| Raichur Fort Raichur | Secondary | 100% |
| Seetha Amman Temple Nuwara Eliya Sri Lanka | Secondary | 100% |
| Shree Ambalavaanar Alayam Durban | Secondary | 100% |
| Shree Ayyappa Seva Sangam Temple Durban | Secondary | 100% |
| Shree Ganesha Temple Mount Edgecombe | Secondary | 100% |
| Sri Krishna Temple Udupi | Secondary | 100% |
| Sri Nagara Thandayuthapani Temple George Town Penang | Secondary | 100% |
| Sringeri Sharadamba Temple Sringeri | Secondary | 100% |
| Yadagirigutta Temple Yadadri | Secondary | 100% |