In this episode, we will take a look at the Vesara temple’s architecture. The architectural style of the temple is not completely new but rather an interesting confluence, almost a consolidation of Nagara and Dravida styles.

The towers of Nagara temples in northern India are above the sacred innermost chamber. Independent in form, they dominate over any other structure throughout the temple; the only connection is through a vestibule to the rest of the temple. Typically this develops from the ardha mandapa joined by further chambers known as rangamandira, gudda mandapa and sabhamandap. Devotees circumambulate the garbha griha along a pradakshina patha which was later enclosed. The Nagara temple is situated on an elevated jagati and presents a more developed and complex version of the single-shrined Deogarh temple, for example, in the multi-shrined Kandariya Mahadeo temple, arranged in a panchayatana style with five shrines.

Tune in to listen and expand your knowledge about the histories behind the temples in India and their architectural wonders. Streaming now on Spotify and Apple Podcast. (Head to our website for more details)

Image credits: Dinesh Kannambadi

Written by Urvi C; Hosted by: Hanima Nawaz; modified by Davangi Pathak and Final Revisions by Pranay Dewani.

In this episode of the podcast, we’ll delve into the fascinating world of the Chola Dynasty — a formidable South Indian empire that flourished from the 9th to the 13th centuries CE. Originating in present-day Tamil Nadu, the Cholas expanded their influence far beyond their homeland, conquering the kingdoms of the Pallavas, Cheras, and Pandyas to establish a vast and significant empire in Southern India and beyond.

Vijayalaya Chola established the Chola empire in the 9th century. His successors, notably Rajaraja Chola I (reigned 985–1014 CE) and his son Rajendra Chola I (reigned 1014–1044 CE), took the empire to new heights and expanded it to previously uncharted territories — making it one of the vastest empires in the Southern region of the country. Rajaraja Chola I’s reign was marked by significant administrative and military reforms, laying the foundation for a well-organised and powerful empire. The Cholas reached their zenith in social, religious, and military spheres under his rule, before their gradual decline in the late 12th century — paving the way for the rise of successor states.

Tune in to listen and expand your knowledge about the histories behind the temples in India and their architectural wonders. Streaming now on Spotify and Apple Podcast. (Head to our website for more details)

Image credits: Mcasankar

Written by Urvi C; Hosted by: Hanima Nawaz; modified by Davangi Pathak and Final Revisions by Pranay Dewani.

In this episode of the podcast, we’ll delve into the structural and ecological brilliance of one of the most iconic examples of Pallava architecture: The Shore Temple. To trace the evolution of the Dravida temple style, we’ll also take a brief look at the Kailashnath Temple in Kanchipuram, the historic capital of the Pallava dynasty. Along the way, we’ll explore the concepts of akam and puram, which underpin the spiritual essence of Dravida temple towns.

As pioneers of Dravidian temple architecture, the early Pallava rulers were instrumental in establishing a sophisticated artistic and architectural identity. This identity not only defines Pallava style but also reveals the deep symbolic connections between ecology and art. Our exploration of the Shore Temple, perched on the Coromandel Coast in Mamallapuram, Tamil Nadu, will shed light on these philosophical, semiotic, and ecological aspects.

Tune in to listen and expand your knowledge about the histories behind the temples in India and their architectural wonders. Streaming now on Spotify and Apple Podcast. (Head to our website for more details)

Image credits: Wikimedia Commons

Written by Urvi C; Hosted by: Hanima Nawaz; modified by Davangi Pathak and Final Revisions by Pranay Dewani.