A combination of architectural brilliance, intricate rituals and pageantry attracts millions of devotees and tourists to the quaint temple towns of Tamil Nadu A precious and revered legacy of the southern state of Tamil Nadu (pop: 67 million) are its magnificent temples, monuments of exquisite architecture and art forms evolved over several centuries. Most of them are over a millennium old and faithful custodians have religiously preserved their colourful festivals, elaborate worship protocol and devotional music and dance traditions. This combination of architectural brilliance, ancient rituals and pageantry attracts millions of pious devotees and a growing number of tourists to the temple towns of Tamil Nadu. Last year the state hosted over 38 million domestic and 607,300 foreign tourists, most of whom included the state’s temple sites on their itineraries. The history of Tamil Nadu’s temples is intrinsically linked with the history of the state, which prides itself for its 5,000-year-old Dravidian civilisation and culture, dating back to the 4th century B.C. Tall gopurams (gateways) with ornately sculpted towers that pierce the skies of Tamil Nadu (‘land of the Tamil people’) are testimony to the architectural and artistic creativity of successive dynasties that ruled here. The Chola, Pandya and Chera dynasties which reigned in 300 BCE during the classical period of Tamil literature — the Sangam age — which continued until 300 AD, were dedicated temple builders and their patronage of the arts facilitated the expansion of Dravidian culture. During the second half of the 4th century when the Pallavas rose to power, Dravidian architecture attained its apogee. The splendid temples of Mamallapuram, the Kailasanathar temple at Kanchipuram (which hosts 1,000 shrines) and the Kapaleeshwarar temple in Chennai proclaim the architectural ingenuity of Pallava dynasty architects. The varied styles and building materials which distinguish the temples built by ancient dynasties of Tamil Nadu are highly educative for students of architecture. The most ancient were built of brick and mortar. Subsequently circa 700 AD, temples were scooped out of caves by Pallava and Pandya architects. The Pallava kings (upto 900 AD) were also great builders of stone and rock temples. The Cholas (900- 1250 AD) made significant changes in structural styles, by adding ornate mandapams (dolmens) and halls and constructed impressive gopurams (gateways). The Pandya era (up to 1350 AD) witnessed the emergence of huge towers, high wall enclosures and towering gateways. The Vijayanagar rulers (1350-1560) built taller gopurams and installed sculpted monolithic pillars as evidenced in some of the most visited temples — Srirangam and Chidambaram. The Naiks (1600- 1750) added large prakarams (circumambulatory paths) and pillared halls, enhancing the spatial elegance of temples. Apart from the grand design and layout that attract history and architecture enthusiasts from around the world, the puranic legends and religious rituals associated with TN’s temples lure streams of domestic tourists to experience their magic and mysticism. “Their serene, spiritual ambience instills peace. Moreover the elaborate pooja rituals and annual festivals draw huge crowds willing to brave the ordeal of standing in serpentine queues to…
