RESEARCH METHODOLY

Assignment-1 on UNIT-2

DRAVADIAN ARCHITECTURE -The Rameswaram temple

How to Reach:

SUBMITTED BY :-
SIMRAN DEO (16BAR1081)
 Fig - rameshwaram temple's gopuram

SRI RAMANATHASWAMY TEMPLE

SRI RANGANATHASWAMY TEMPLE Location: Tiruchirapalli, Tamil
• The Ramanathaswamy temple also known as Rameswaram temple
Nadu Year: 1st century CE Present Age: 1018 Built by: Pandya
• Location: Rameswaram Island, in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu
dynasty Time
• built during - 12thtaken:
century 5 years Area: 631000 sqm (2nd largest temple)
• current age - around 1500 years old
• Built by: Pandya dynasty

Fig Rameshwaram: inner view of the long temple

corridors.
Ramanathaswamy Temple
The Ramanathaswamy temple also known as Rameswaram temple - A Great Example of Perfection
and Style of Dravidian Architecture The Rameswaram temple is dedicated to the god, Shiva. The Holy
abode of the Hindu God, Shri Ram (addressed so with all respect & humility) is a virtual paradise for
the devout. This sacred site is located on Rameswaram Island, in the southern Indian state of Tamil
Nadu between mainland India and Sri Lanka. No Hindu’s journey is complete without a pilgrimage to
both Varanasi and Rameswaram for the culmination of his quest for salvation and is hallowed by the
epic ‘Ramayana’. Folklore mentions about God Ram’s presence in this land, after his 14-year exile.
Shri Ram with his brother Lakshman and Hanuman along with his band of thousands of monkeys,
build a bridge with rocks from the sea and shores to cross the ‘Sethu canal’ and reach Lanka. Lord
Rama is also believed to have sanctified this place by worshipping and glorifying Lord Shiva and
hence marks the confluence of Shaivism and Vaishnavism and is thus revered by both Shaivites and
Vaishnavites alike and thus there is a strong belief that bathing in the 22 ‘Theerthams’ or natural
springs is a step forward in enlightenment.
Therefore, Rameswaram has rightly been declared as one of the National Pilgrim Centres in the count.

In the centuries that followed, different parts of the temple were commissioned and built by the rulers
of the island. During the 12 th century, the sanctum around the Ramanathaswamy Temple was
constructed by Parakramabahu I, a king of Polonnaruwa (located in modern day Sri Lanka). The most
important dynasty in the building history of the Ramanathaswamy Temple, however, was the
Sethupathi Dynasty, who ruled over Ramnad and Sivaganga during the 17 th century.

RAMESHWARAM

Fig - map of india showing rameshwaram

Fig -ram & sita

performing the
rituals at
rameshwaram

Fig - Gopuram of
Rameshwaram
temple

Fig -map of rameshwaram temple

Fig - Fig -

It stands within a complex surrounded by a high compound wall or ThiruMathil on all

the four sides of the temple.. The temple is spread over an area of 15 acres, has lofty
gopurams, massive walls and a collossal Nandi. There are two gopurams, one located
in the east and one located in the west. The one in the east is 78 feet high with five
tiers. The one in the west is 126 feet high and has nine tiers and is known as
rajagopuram. Made of limestone, bricks and sea shells, the colossal Nandi Statue or
Nandi Mandapam measures 17 feet in height and is 12 feet wide What is unique about
this corridor is that the rock is not indigenous to the island and it was brought in from
elsewhere in Tamilnadu across the sea.this Gopuram has nine levels. The Western
Rajagopuram, though impressive, is not as tall as the Eastern one. Another famous
feature of Ramanathaswamy Temple are the 22 wells spread throughout the premises,
It is said that water from each well tastes totally different. and have curative features.
Theertham (Water springs): There are 36 Theerthams in Rameshwaram of which 22
are in the temple. The waters possess medicinal properties and bathing in these is
considered to be of great significance. The Agni theertham refers to the ocean (the first
well) while the Koti theertham is located within the temple itself.

Fig - aerial view of rameshwaram temple

 Photograph of the temple taken by Nicholas and Company in c.1884.
Fig - corridor at rameshwaram temple

• The third corridor, also known as ChokkatanMandapam with 1212 pillars – each pillar
measuring 30 feet. It resembles a gigantic chess board. This is where you will find the deities
called Utsava.
• The total length of the corridors is 3850 feet and there are a total of three corridors.
• there are total 4,000 carved pillars,
• The carved granite pillars are mounted on a raised platform.
• The pillars have been constructed using the Nayak style of architecture.
• There is a platform on which the carved granite walls are built. If one tries to look at the
pillars from one end to the other it converges to one single dot. showing symettry and
alignment.
• This feature exemplifies the advanced architectural designs of the Tamil Kings.
• The beams, pillars and ceiling of the second corridor were made using sandstone.

Fig - corridor at rameshwaram temple Fig - wall carving at rameshwaram temple

• Material used for reconstruction
The material used for reconstruction of the temple was mainly granite. Granite stones according
to historical records were shipped to this island that date far back to 1414 CE.
Vimaanams of the temple and fortifications around the temple
• The vimaanams of this temple have a huge resemblance to those found in the Pallava dynasty.
• There are four fortifications that encompass the temple giving it a rectangular shape. There are
four entries to the temple from each doorway or gopura which is pyramidal in shape.
• Smaller shrines and wells in the temple complex :- There are some smaller shrines for other
deities that can be found in the mandaps inside the temple complex.
• There are 22 wells which are said to have healing properties and each well is different in terms
of temperature, salinity and taste.

Fig - rameshwaram
temple

Fig -rameshwaram
temple

Fig -
entrance of
rameshwaram
temple

Fig - Agnitheertham rameshwaram

 How to Reach:

Fig -

30. SHIVA TEERTHAM

Fig - legends Fig - shiv linga

Elements of the RAMESHWARAM Temple
1. The sanctuary as whole is known as the “Vimana” that consists of two parts. The
upper part of the Vimana is called as the “Sikhara”
2. The lower portion inside the Vimana is called as the “Garbhagriha” (cella or inner
chamber).
3. Pradakshina patha: meaning the ambulatory passageway for circumambulation.
4. Mandapa: is the pillared hall in front of the garbhagriha.
5. Antarala: meaning the vestibule or the intermediate chamber.
6. Ardhamandapa: meaning the front porch or the main entrance of the temple leading
to the mandapa.
7. Gopurams: meaning the ornate tower at the entrance of the temple complex
specially found in south India.
8. Pitha: the plinth or the platform of the temple.
9. Toranas: the typical gateway of the temple mostly found in north Indian temple.
10. The Amalaka: the fluted disc like stone placed at the apex of the sikhara.

How to Reach:

Fig - showing elements of a temple

THE STRUCTURAL SYSTEMS
Trabeated System:
• In the trabeated system, the various arrangements between vertical
elements (pillars and pilasters) and horizontal elements (cross beams and
lintels) are used to provide the stability to the system.
• The roofing was done by laying horizontally the slabs of stone from one
supporting beams or walls to another. .
Corbelling System:
• Each horizontal course is constructed in such a way that stone or bricks
in each layer are projected out to bridge the gap between the two walls.
• It was primarily used to create interiors of the temple and stone shells of
super structure above the sanctuary
THE CONSTRUCTION TECHNOLOGY
1. The available information of temple construction was collected from
stone slabs, metal plates, palm leaves and manuscripts.
2. It started with the selection of team headed by chief architect
3. The construction team consisted of four, Sthapati -Main architect
Sutragrahin who did the work assigned by sthapati,Taksaka who did the
carving and cutting of stone, Vardhakin is the mason.
How to Reach:
4. The first stage was the planning of the temple, The second stage was the
craving of different parts of the temples.
5. The third and the final stage consisted of assembling of the parts of
temple which consisted of the actual construction of the temple.
6. The tools required such as hammers, chisel was locally made and
sharpened regularly.

STRUCTURAL PLAN AND EARTHQUAKE RESISTANCE

• Symmetrical forms are always preferred from earthquake resistance as
asymmetrical forms produces eccentricity between the centre of mass
and centre of rigidity which results in the torsion and tends to stress the
concentration.
• The ground story has dual purpose as apart from carrying its own lateral
loads it also carries the shear force of the upper floors which is similar to
the downward building of vertical gravity loads.
Fig -
parts of
dravidian
order
Fig -Detail ornamentaion
of pillars at rameshwaram
temple
of dravadian style

Fig - ornamentation done at the

gopuram of rameshwaram
temple,
designed in such a way that the
center opening captures every
moment of sunset in the area
fig - showing gana inside the temple
Fig 1-6 showing corridors of rameshwaram temple and its ornamentation

Fig 1 Fig 2

Fig 3 Fig 4

Fig 5 Fig 6
• flooring.-The floors of were
made of a material that is unique
blend of burnt coconut shells,
quick lime, palm toddy, and
extracts of certain barks of trees
and nuts.
• Natural fibers Cotton, coir, wool,
silk cotton or jute
• Natural polymers Cow Dung,
Jaggaery, Coconut water, Green
Algae, rice husk, burnt coconut
shell
• also in some part of the temple
stones are also used as flooring
• the temple possess several idols
made of gold, silver, panchaloha
and copper metals are made fig - showing flooring inside the
temple
according to the design rules of
the Shilpa Shastras.
• They recommend materials,
measurements, proportion,
decoration and symbolism of the
murti.
• Ramanathaswamy Temple has
twenty two divine wells located
within the temple premises. The
temple has stretched over a vast
area of 15 acres. The each well
has distinct properties. All of
these wells water have different
taste, salinity and curative
properties
• The overall depth of each well
never exceeds 10 to 15 feet
only. However, the holy water
from each well is taken by fig - showing flooring inside the temple
bucket and sprayed over the
people

fig - showing flooring inside the temple

Fig
ORNAMENTATION AND ARTIFACTS
AT RAMESHWARAM TEMPLE

Fig- 46
Artifacts used
at the entrance
mandapa

Fig- showing symmetry and

ornamentation done at the
gopuram of the temple

Fig- Fig-
showing showing
ornamentation artifact
done at the Of a deity in a
pillar of dancing
rameshwaram position
temple in the
shape of horse

Fig-
Decorated
Dravidian
orders at the
entrance of
mandapa

Fig-
Carving
done on
wall
showing
Shiva and
Parvati

Fig-
ornamentation
done on the
pillars of
temple
at the entrance
Fig- of mandapa
showing view of the corridor leading to Garba gariya decorated
with artifacts and ornamentation in the ceiling and on the raised
platform
CONCLUSION :-
The architecture of India has vast history and is strongly rooted into it.
The culture and religion followed by our ancestors reflects at every stage,
Preserving this history and these greatest structures is our biggest
responsibility.
The structural harmony, the rhythm and a fine sense of ratio is a great mark
of Indian temple and its architecture.
The proportional geometry, and symmetry between the elements gives a
sense of coherence and harmony.
As after the gupta period in which almost all of the hindu temples were
constructed were demolished by the rulers who came after gupta period,
there were many reasons like; by wars, due to ignorance, lack of getting
discovered by the government , these grand stuctures got decay and
destroyed with respect to time.
so, preserving our history and architecture should be our concern.
Now that these kind of temple are in the knowledge of people , but it still
lacks in the field of architectural research for knowing its various unkown
techniques, construction material, balancing of loads and carrying the vast
structures at the top of the temple etc.
Also i feel, as the footfall in this temple is majorly of the devotees and few of
the tourists who comes to visit the end part of india. these kind of structure
in india need to be promoted for its unique architecture .
These structures have survived through ages due to its marvelous
architecture, whose techniques are still unknown due to many reasons. But
taking it as an inspiration and knowing that our ancestors created these
without any major tools and techniques, we can create wonders and make
our country proud.
 BIBLOGRAPHY

• https://www.slideshare.net/rmurgai1/indian-temple-architecture
• https://ramanathaswamy.wordpress.com/ramanathaswamy-
temple/ramanathaswamy-temple/
• https://www.ancient-origins.net/ancient-places-asia/ramanathaswamy-
temple-and-its-infinite-corridors-009649
• https://www.yatrablog.com/interesting-facts-about-the-architecture-of-
rameswaram-temple
• https://www.thetilesofindia.com/global-architects/the-rameswaram-
temple/
• A STUDY ON HINDU TEMPLE PLANNING, CONSTRUCTION AND
THE V AASTU by SUJATAVANIGUNASAGARAN
• https://worldarchitecture.org/architecture-news/eepfe/ancient-
construction-techniques-of-india-a-regional-study.html
• https://www.ijresm.com/Vol_1_2018/Vol1_Iss10_October18/IJRESM_V1
_I10_111.pdf
• https://www.slideshare.net/KarthikKumar444/indian-ancient-
construction-dravidian-and-temple-architecture
• https://www.ias.ac.in/article/fulltext/sadh/043/05/0074
• https://www.researchgate.net/figure/fig8_322852250
• https://architexturez.net/doc/az-cf-124177
• http://chitrolekha.com/temples-of-bengal-material-style-and-
technological-evolution/
• https://www.slideshare.net/BinumolTom/module-2-indian-temple-
architecture
• https://www.slideshare.net/roopachikkalgi/hindu-architecture-73527915
• https://www.quora.com/What-is-the-reason-behind-the-form-of-temple-
and-standard-dimension-of-shikhar
• https://www.slideshare.net/abhishinde/hindu-architecture-72584262
• https://www.slideshare.net/rmurgai1/indian-temple-architecture
• https://www.drishtiias.com/to-the-points/paper1/temple-architecture
SUBMITTED BY :- SIMRAN DEO (16BAR1081)