| Title | Tamil Nadu Temple architecture styleRare |
|---|---|
| Description | Tamil Nadu temple architecture, a regional variant of Dravida, features distinctive gopurams, pillared mandapas, and intricate sculptures reflecting the Chola, Pandya, and Vijayanagara influences. |
| Also Known As | Dravidian Style Rural Temple Architecture with Timber-Framed Mandapa Dravidian Temple Architecture Rural Tamil Nadu Temple Typology Sri Lankan Diaspora Craft Queensland Timber Construction Cyclone-Resilient Detailing Floodplain Landscape Planning Community Outreach Hub Dravidian Style South Indian Temple Architecture with Twin Gopurams Vaishnavite-Shaivite Twin Sanctums Tamil Nadu Kovil Craft Seismic-Resilient Diaspora Design Californian Canyon Site Planning Firewise Landscape Integration Modern Code-Compliant Temple Design Open-Air Mandapam Typology Dravidian Style South Indian Temple Architecture with Gopuram Vaishnavite Agamic Layout New England Climate Adaptation Temple Pond Integration Diaspora Cultural Center Typology Snow-Resilient Campus Planning |
| Tags | Tamil temple Chola architecture Madurai Thanjavur Tamil Kovil Temple art Agama Shastras Shilpa Shastras Gopuram Mandapa Agama South Indian Temple |
| Style ID | INHF-STY-4972523808-03:15:46:02:07:21:TNTAS |
| URI | https://www.inheritage.foundation/aat/styles/tamil-nadu-temple-architecture-style |
| API Endpoint | https://www.inheritage.foundation/api/v1/aat/tamil-nadu-temple-architecture-style |
| Total Sites | 3 |
| Primary Sites | 0 |
| Created | November 19, 2025 |
| Last Updated | November 29, 2025 |
External References
Regions
| Regions | Tamil Nadu |
|---|
Historical Context
| Time Periods | 7th century CE - 18th century CE 7th-18th century CE |
|---|---|
| Dynasties | Chola Pandya Vijayanagara Nayaka |
Sacred Context
| Sacred Contexts | Hindu temples Village shrines Kovils Shaiva shrines Vaishnava shrines Shaiva temples Vaishnava temples |
|---|---|
| Associated Deities | Shiva Vishnu Amman Ganesha Murugan Devi Parvati Lakshmi |
Architectural Details
| Primary Materials | Granite Brick Timber Soapstone Stucco |
|---|---|
| Architectural Features | Gopuram Mandapa Prakara Sculptures Tank Vimana Mandapam Garbhagriha Pillared halls Sculptural ornamentation Temple Tank (Kalyani) |
Keywords
| Keywords | Tamil temple Chola architecture Madurai Thanjavur Tamil Kovil Temple art Agama Shastras Shilpa Shastras Gopuram Mandapa Agama South Indian Temple |
|---|
Recommended Sources
| Title | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Temples of Tamil Nadu | Book | Detailed study of Tamil Nadu temple architecture. |
| Indian Temple Architecture: Form and Transformation | Book | Analysis of Tamil Nadu temple forms. |
| The Great Temple at Tanjore | book | Detailed study of a major Chola-era temple. |
Heritage Sites (3)
| Site Name | Status | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Brisbane Sri Selva Vinayakar Koil South Maclean | Secondary | 100% |
| Malibu Hindu Temple Calabasas | Secondary | 100% |
| Sri Lakshmi Temple Ashland | Secondary | 100% |
See Also
Related Materials
Granite
Brick
Timber
Soapstone
Stucco
Related Features
Gopuram
Mandapa
Prakara
Sculptures
Tank
Vimana
Mandapam
Garbhagriha
Pillared halls
Sculptural ornamentation
Temple Tank (Kalyani)
Example Sites
How to Identify Tamil Nadu Temple architecture style
- Look for characteristic features: Gopuram, Mandapa, Prakara.
- Verify geographic location: Tamil Nadu Temple architecture style architecture is typically found in Tamil Nadu.
- Examine construction materials: Tamil Nadu Temple architecture style typically uses Granite and Brick.
- Consider historical context: This style dates from 7th century CE - 18th century CE.
- Compare with documented examples: 3 heritage sites use this architectural style.