The prolific builders of South India ensured that the colossal religious buildings are engraved on the memories of the visitors for ever. The devotion, love and enthusiasm with which these south Indian temple sculptures have been etched on stone is simply marvellous. The essence of these sculptures is such that these can bestow a completely separate identity to the temple building idiom in India.
The special architectural elements of the
South Indian temples are the
kirtimukhas, the lathe turned pillars and double
mandapas. Within a particular temple complex more other shrines besides the primary shrine have also been built. Whether a temple has two or three shrines can be comprehended from the kinds of the
vimanas. For instance, a `dwikuta` will definitely have two shrines while a `trikuta` vimana temple houses three shrines. The south Indian temple sculpture received an added boost under the reign of the Cholas and Chalukyas. While the Vijayanagara Empire immortalised their art and sculpture on stone in
Hampi, the former two kingdoms are also renowned for their massive temples. These beautiful buildings even today spell out the grandeur and splendour that once accompanied them.
Another special feature of the south Indian temple sculpture is the miniature towers. In order to explore these exquisite temples in details a study of the following south Indian temple sculptures will be necessary:
