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Masonry temples Shore temple at Mahabalipuram Introduction 1. The Shore Temple is a five-storeyed structural Hindu temple rather than rock-cut as are the other monuments at the site. 2. It is the earliest important structural temple in Southern India. 3. Its pyramidal structure is 60 ft high and sits on a 50 ft square platform. 4. There is a small temple in front which was the original porch. 5. It is made out of finely cut local granite. 6. The shore temple is also one of the most popular temples. 7. Recent excavations have revealed new structures here under the sand. Shrines 1. The temple is a combination of three shrines. 2. The main shrine is dedicated to Shiva as is the smaller second shrine. A small third shrine, between the two, is dedicated to a reclining Vishnu. 3. The two Shiva shrines are orthogonal in configuration. 4. The entrance is through a transverse barrel vault gopuram. 5. The two shikharas have a pyramidal outline, each individual tier is distinct with overhanging eaves that cast dark shadows. 6. The outer wall of the shrine to Vishnu and the inner side of the boundary wall are extensively sculptured and topped by large sculptures of Nandi. 7. The temple's outer walls are divided by plasters into bays, the lower part being carved into a series of roaring lions.
Deities 1. The temple has a garbhagriha in which the deity, Sivalinga, is enshrined, and a small mandapa surrounded by a heavy outer wall with little space between for circumambulation. 2. At the rear are two shrines facing opposite directions. 3. The inner shrine dedicated to Ksatriyasimnesvara is reached through a passage while the other, dedicated to Vishnu, faces the outside. 4. The Durga is seated on her lion vahana. Significance 1. The Shore Temples configuration of the two Shiva shrines with the small Vishnu shrine in between illustrates an attempt to balance the different, competing religious requirements. Devastation 1. The temple was not destroyed during the 2004 Tsunami in the Indian Ocean, the tsunami struck the temple at 5 am but it was not devastated badly and the water came to its normal level after a few minutes. Now, recently the inscribed patterns on the walls are getting destroyed due to the air which blows there has a little amount of salt content.
1. The Meenakshi temple complex at Madurai is a city temple. 2. It has eminent and exquisitely carved towers enveloping the temple, dedicated to Goddess Meenakashi in Madurai. 3. Considered as the south gateway, the Meenakshi temple consists of the twin temples of God Shiva and Goddess Meenakshi, each one as high as about nine storeys. 4. The exact time of temple's origin is not confirmed but the structures that are standing today date mostly from the 12th to the 18th century. The present temple standing today was built in the 17th century A.D. by Nayak rulers. 5. The temple is superb example of sculpture and magnificent architecture.
Gopura
1. The Gopuras or the Pyramidal gates have an enormous height of more than 50m. 2. The entrance to the temple complex is indicated by towering gateways at the four cardinal points, while lesser gopuras lead to the sanctums of the main deities.
Stucco Work
1. After every 12 years, the figures of deities on the tower are reconditioned, repainted and ritually reconsecrated.
Gopura
Stucco painting
Stucco painting
Stucco Painting
Oonjal Mandapam
1. The Oonjal (swing) Mandapam and Killikoontu (parrot cage) Mandapam are situated on the western side of the tank. 2. The golden idols of Meenakshi and Sundareswarar are seated on the swing in the Oonjal Madapam every Friday and hymns are sung as the deities swing to and fro. 3. There many parrots in the Kilikoontu Mandapam who have been trained to repeat Goddess Meenakshi's name. 4. The 28 pillars of the Mandapam are the most interesting parts, exhibiting some excellent Sculptures of figures from Hindu mythology.
Oonjal Mandapam
Oonjal Mandapam
Oonjal Mandapam
Sculptures
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