Ancient Indian Architecture

8560 Views 15 Replies 5 Participants Last post by gao7, Feb 8, 2019

Notgnirracen

Discussion Starter · Nov 6, 2017

One area of architecture that I know very little
about is that of ancient India, so I thought I'd explore it here.
To be clear, this thread is about the pre-Islamic
architectural traditions of India,
Mughal Architecture deserves a thread of its own!

Brihadeeswarar Temple

Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu

The Brihadeeswarar Temple was built between 1002 and 1010 a.d.
as a central symbol of the Chola empire,
and is still one of the largest temples in India.
It was commissioned by Raja Raja Chola I,
who had been told to build the temple in a dream.
The building served as the site of major royal
ceremonies such as anointing the emperor,
and is dedicated to Shiva.

David O'Malley, on Flickr

David O'Malley, on Flickr

David O'Malley, on Flickr

David O'Malley, on Flickr

David O'Malley, on Flickr

David O'Malley, on Flickr

David O'Malley, on Flickr

David O'Malley, on Flickr

David O'Malley, on Flickr

David O'Malley, on Flickr

David O'Malley, on Flickr

David O'Malley, on Flickr

David O'Malley, on Flickr

David O'Malley, on Flickr

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Notgnirracen

Discussion Starter · #2 · Nov 6, 2017

Konark Sun Temple

Konark, Odisha

This temple is an example of Kalinga architecture,
which is to be found in eastern India.
The whole building has been built in the form
of a giant ornamented chariot and has twelve
pairs of elaborately carved stone wheels
which are pulled by a set of seven horses.
The temple is dedicated to the sun god Surya,
and is believed to have been built by Narasimhadeva I
of the Eastern Ganga Dynasty, and was finished in 1255.
It is also known for its erotic sculptures.

Ashok Saravanan .Ay, on Flickr

Ashok Saravanan .Ay, on Flickr

Phil Parsons, on Flickr

Phil Parsons, on Flickr

Phil Parsons, on Flickr

Phil Parsons, on Flickr

Phil Parsons, on Flickr

Phil Parsons, on Flickr

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Notgnirracen

Discussion Starter · #3 · Nov 7, 2017

Annamalaiyar Temple

Tiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu

The Annamalaiyar Temple is dedicated to Shiva, and is located in the far south-east of India.
The temple complex covers 10 hectares and was built in the 9th century.
Earlier temples existed on the site though, and extensions to the current one have
been made at least up to the 1500s.
The complex houses four gateway towers known as gopurams placed in each direction.
The tallest is the eastern tower, with 11 stories and a height of 66 metres.

Manfred Sommer, on Flickr

Manfred Sommer, on Flickr

Manfred Sommer, on Flickr

Manfred Sommer, on Flickr

Manfred Sommer, on Flickr

Manfred Sommer, on Flickr

Manfred Sommer, on Flickr

Manfred Sommer, on Flickr

Manfred Sommer, on Flickr

Manfred Sommer, on Flickr

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Notgnirracen

Discussion Starter · #4 · Nov 8, 2017

Bhutanatha Temple Complex

Badami, Karnataka (south-western India)

Built: 7th century, 11th century

Commissioned by: Chalukya dynasty

Dedicated to: Bhutanatha

Manfred Sommer, on Flickr

Manfred Sommer, on Flickr

Manfred Sommer, on Flickr

Manfred Sommer, on Flickr

Manfred Sommer, on Flickr

Manfred Sommer, on Flickr

Manfred Sommer, on Flickr

Manfred Sommer, on Flickr

Manfred Sommer, on Flickr

Manfred Sommer, on Flickr

Manfred Sommer, on Flickr

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Notgnirracen

Discussion Starter · #5 · Nov 9, 2017

Virupaksha Temple

Hampi, Karnataka

This temple in southern India is dedicated to Virupaksha,
a local version of the God Shiva. According to tradition,
he is the consort of the local goddess Pampa,
who is associated with the Tungabhadra River.
The first temple on this site is believed to have been
built in the 7th century, though most of what can be seen
today was constructed under the Vijayanagara Empire.
The Vijayanagara rulers had risen to power by allying
with other kingdoms in order to ward off Muslim invasions.
By the 14th century, they ruled most of southern India and under them,
a flowering of native art and culture began.
Since Hampi was their capital, the Virupaksha Temple there grew drastically.
Unfortunately though, much of the art and structures made
under the Vijayanagara was systematically destroyed after their demise
in the 16th century. This temple however, survived, and major renovations
and extensions were made as late as the early 19th century.

dario delvecchio, on Flickr

Rupak Sarkar, on Flickr

Rupak Sarkar, on Flickr

Rupak Sarkar, on Flickr

Rupak Sarkar, on Flickr

Rupak Sarkar, on Flickr

Rupak Sarkar, on Flickr

Rupak Sarkar, on Flickr

Rupak Sarkar, on Flickr

Rupak Sarkar, on Flickr

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Notgnirracen

Discussion Starter · #6 · Feb 3, 2018

Vidyashankara Temple

Sringeri, Karnataka

Built: 1357-1358

Commissioned by: Vidyaranya

VS Ramachandran, on Flickr

wind blade, on Flickr

VS Ramachandran, on Flickr

VS Ramachandran, on Flickr

VS Ramachandran, on Flickr

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Notgnirracen

Discussion Starter · #7 · Feb 9, 2018

Kailasa Temple

Ellora, Maharashtra

Built: 8th Century

Commissioned by: King Krishna I (probably)

Arian Zwegers, on Flickr

Arian Zwegers, on Flickr

andy priest, on Flickr

andy priest, on Flickr

andy priest, on Flickr

Arian Zwegers, on Flickr

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Tororojo

· #8 · Feb 9, 2018

beauty. thanks for share

Reactions: 1

Hammy007.

· #9 · May 11, 2018

Nalanda

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Hammy007.

· #10 · May 11, 2018 (Edited)

Ancient Buddhist chaitiya 300 AD

Ancient Buddhist monastry 200 BC or 200 AD

Ancient Amaravathi 200 AD

mahabodhi temple

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Hammy007.

· #11 · May 12, 2018

Karla Cave 2nd cen BC

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Notgnirracen

Discussion Starter · #12 · Nov 4, 2018

Chennakeshava Temple

Belur, Karnataka

Built: 1117-1220

Commissioned by: King Vishnuvardhana

davidthegray, on Flickr

davidthegray, on Flickr

davidthegray, on Flickr

davidthegray, on Flickr

davidthegray, on Flickr

davidthegray, on Flickr

pydum, on Flickr

davidthegray, on Flickr

davidthegray, on Flickr

Anoop Negi, on Flickr

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Notgnirracen

Discussion Starter · #13 · Nov 4, 2018

Lad Khan Temple

Aihole, Karnataka

Built: 5th century

Commissioned by: Chalukya dynasty

Dedicated to: Shiva

Mukul Banerjee, on Flickr

Mukul Banerjee, on Flickr

Mukul Banerjee, on Flickr

Mukul Banerjee, on Flickr

Mukul Banerjee, on Flickr

Mukul Banerjee, on Flickr

Mukul Banerjee, on Flickr

Mukul Banerjee, on Flickr

Mukul Banerjee, on Flickr

Mukul Banerjee, on Flickr

Mukul Banerjee, on Flickr

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Notgnirracen

Discussion Starter · #14 · Nov 4, 2018

Lakshmi Narasimha Temple

Nuggehalli, Karnataka

Built: 1246

Commissioned by: Bommanna Dandanayaka

Dedicated to: Venugopala, Keshava and Lakshminarasimha

Bikash Das, on Flickr

Bikash Das, on Flickr

Bikash Das, on Flickr

Bikash Das, on Flickr

Bikash Das, on Flickr

Bikash Das, on Flickr

Bikash Das, on Flickr

Bikash Das, on Flickr

Bikash Das, on Flickr

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mrrame

· #15 · Jan 13, 2019

Kalugu Malai (Vettuvan Kovil)

Forgotten Temple in South India. Exemplary form of Rock cut architecture.

Must visit if you are a history buff

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gao7

· #16 · Feb 8, 2019

ancient terracotta temples at Bishnupur, by Tumpa Mondal Feb. 7, 2019.

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