All information about the Chola Temple, its architecture, pictures and history, coming soon.

I adopt this classification as already introduced by Professor Gabriel Jouveau-Dubreuil, because it seems to me sensible to use an existing classification as a basis for discussion.

This division was purely arbitrary, since art has changed in an imperceptible rather than a discontinuous manner.

These five epochs are the following:

  1. Pallava epoch (A.D. 600 to 850) – Rock cut and structural temples;
  2. Early Chōla epoch (A.D. 850 to 1100) – Development of the vimana (sikhara), walled enclosure and gopurams;
  3. Later Chōla (Pandya) epoch (A.D. 1100 to 1350) – Evolution of the gopuram – number, height, embellishment and high walls for enclosure for security (Muslim invasion);
  4. Vijayanagar epoch (A.D. 1350 to 1600) – Addition of mandapa’s, secondary halls and gopurams;
  5. Modern (Nayak/Madura) epoch (A.D. 1600 onwards) – Temple cities, addition of gopurams to existing temples.

The Dravidian style of architecture can be categorized as a distinct evolution of temple architecture through the various phases.

There is a noticeable evolution in the planning of the temple and architectural design.

In the 12th century (Pandya), complex rituals necessitated complex planning in temple construction.