Welcome to South Indian Special - Temples Category:-
India’s contribution to the spiritual sphere of modern world is unique. From Vedic aga,all that is pure and sublime in Nature’s creation have been objects of worship for the indian. Our history of ancient tradition and culture is interwoven in temple worship and pilgrimage. The lofty Himalayas, the sacred Ganga, the holy Cauvery, the crystal-like Tungabhadra have all been his cherished pilgrim spots.
In South India, temple worship has been a glorious tradition. Over the years, there have been many schools of temple-building – the Dravidian, Chalukya, Chola, Pallava, Pandya and the Hoysala. The art made its transition from temporary structures of wood and mortar to more enduring edifices. The temples were constructed according to Agama and Shilpa shastras. These temples were the seat of learning and hub of social and cultural activities.
In this, the Pallava rulers of the 7th century were said to be the pioneers. In Tamil Nadu, the temples of Kanchipuram, the shrines of Cholas in Thanjavur district (9th to 13th centuries) and those of Nayaks of Madurai are living monuments to their accomplishments. Today, in the state of Tamil Nadu alone, there are more than 10,000 temples. Of these, 1,800 are in Thanjavur district alone.
Karnataka’s tryst with temple art dates back to the 5th century AD. Aihole, Badami and Pattadakkal are the earliest works of the Chalukyas. Hampi, the capital of the Vijayanagar dynasty, is acclaimed for its brilliant temple designs. The state, as a whole, has a great tradition of holy places, palaces and pageantry.
Andhra Pradesh, endowed with a rich Coromandel Coast, had a mixed culture of the Cholas, Chalukyas and Gangas. The state has some of the earliest relics of temple architecture of the Buddhists and Jains. There is a discernible influence of Oriyan art as well. The temples of Sri Kalahasti, Srisailam, Simhachalam, Amaravati etc are some of the oldest works of the divine art.
Kerala is a land of rituals and festivals. According to legend, it was created by the blow of sage Parasurama’s axe. The history of temples in this state dates back to the 9th century. Among the main dynasties who ruled here were the Cheras, Mushikas and the Venad Kings. Thanks to the dense forests here, the temple structures are primarily of wood. These temples display the pristine purity of the ancient tradition even to this day.
With the advent of adi Sankara, Ramanuja, Madhwacharya, the Nayanmars and Always, the Bhakti cult got a major boost. They spread their divine message by traversing through the numerous shrines singing in praise of the Almighty. Saivism and Vaishnavism florished to great heights. No wonder then that today we have the sacred legacy of 108 Tirupatis, Navagraha Sthalas, the Arupadai Veedus, Ashta Veerattanams etc. ever sought after by pilgrims.
This pilgrim-friendly guide focusses on the many important holy shrines that dot these southern states, providing in a nutshell the significance of each of these places and the interesting legends associated with them. In order to minimise the travel hardships of the pilgrims, a sincere attempt has been made to arrange places according to their proximity to important towns and cities.
India’s contribution to the spiritual sphere of modern world is unique. From Vedic aga,all that is pure and sublime in Nature’s creation have been objects of worship for the indian. Our history of ancient tradition and culture is interwoven in temple worship and pilgrimage. The lofty Himalayas, the sacred Ganga, the holy Cauvery, the crystal-like Tungabhadra have all been his cherished pilgrim spots.
In South India, temple worship has been a glorious tradition. Over the years, there have been many schools of temple-building – the Dravidian, Chalukya, Chola, Pallava, Pandya and the Hoysala. The art made its transition from temporary structures of wood and mortar to more enduring edifices. The temples were constructed according to Agama and Shilpa shastras. These temples were the seat of learning and hub of social and cultural activities.
In this, the Pallava rulers of the 7th century were said to be the pioneers. In Tamil Nadu, the temples of Kanchipuram, the shrines of Cholas in Thanjavur district (9th to 13th centuries) and those of Nayaks of Madurai are living monuments to their accomplishments. Today, in the state of Tamil Nadu alone, there are more than 10,000 temples. Of these, 1,800 are in Thanjavur district alone.
Karnataka’s tryst with temple art dates back to the 5th century AD. Aihole, Badami and Pattadakkal are the earliest works of the Chalukyas. Hampi, the capital of the Vijayanagar dynasty, is acclaimed for its brilliant temple designs. The state, as a whole, has a great tradition of holy places, palaces and pageantry.
Andhra Pradesh, endowed with a rich Coromandel Coast, had a mixed culture of the Cholas, Chalukyas and Gangas. The state has some of the earliest relics of temple architecture of the Buddhists and Jains. There is a discernible influence of Oriyan art as well. The temples of Sri Kalahasti, Srisailam, Simhachalam, Amaravati etc are some of the oldest works of the divine art.
Kerala is a land of rituals and festivals. According to legend, it was created by the blow of sage Parasurama’s axe. The history of temples in this state dates back to the 9th century. Among the main dynasties who ruled here were the Cheras, Mushikas and the Venad Kings. Thanks to the dense forests here, the temple structures are primarily of wood. These temples display the pristine purity of the ancient tradition even to this day.
With the advent of adi Sankara, Ramanuja, Madhwacharya, the Nayanmars and Always, the Bhakti cult got a major boost. They spread their divine message by traversing through the numerous shrines singing in praise of the Almighty. Saivism and Vaishnavism florished to great heights. No wonder then that today we have the sacred legacy of 108 Tirupatis, Navagraha Sthalas, the Arupadai Veedus, Ashta Veerattanams etc. ever sought after by pilgrims.
This pilgrim-friendly guide focusses on the many important holy shrines that dot these southern states, providing in a nutshell the significance of each of these places and the interesting legends associated with them. In order to minimise the travel hardships of the pilgrims, a sincere attempt has been made to arrange places according to their proximity to important towns and cities.
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