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Tamil Nadu is known for its ancienttemple architecture. Nearly 33,000 ancient temples, many at least 800 to 2000 years old, are found scattered all over Tamil Nadu. As per Tamil Nadu Hindu Endowments Board, there are 38,615 temples. Most of thelargest Hindu Temples are located in Tamil Nadu.[2] Studded with complex architecture, a variety of sculptures, and rich inscriptions, the temples remain the very essence of the culture and heritage ofTamil land, with historical records dating back to at least 3,000 years.
The state also abounds with a large number of temple tanks. The state has 2,359 temple tanks located in 1,586 temples and also confluence of manyarchitectural styles, from ancient temples to theIndo-Saracenic style (pioneered in Madras) of thecolonial era, tochurches andmosques, to the 20th-century steel and chrome ofskyscrapers.[3]
Throughout thehistory of Tamil Nadu, a king was considered to bedivine by nature and possessed religious significance.[4] The king was 'the representative of God on earth’ and lived in a "koyil", which means the "residence of God". The Modern Tamil word for temple iskovil. Titular worship was also given to kings.[5][6] Other words for king like "kō" ("king"), "iṟai" ("emperor") and "āṇḍavar" ("conqueror") now primarily refer to God.[7]Tholkappiyar refers to theThree Crowned Kings as the "Three Glorified by Heaven".[8] In theDravidian-speakingSouth, the concept of divine kingship led to the assumption of major roles by state and temple.[9]
From 580 BCE to 300 CE, the greatest accomplishments of the kingdoms of theearly Chola,Chera and thePandyan kingdoms included brick shrines to deitiesMurugan,Shiva,Amman andVishnu. Several of these have been unearthed nearAdichanallur,Kaveripoompuharpattinam andMahabalipuram, and the construction plans of these sites of worship were shared to some detail in various poems ofSangam literature. One such temple, theSaluvannkuppan Murugan temple,[10] unearthed in 2005, consists of three layers. The lowest layer, consisting of a brick shrine, is one of the oldest of its kind in South India, and is the oldest shrine found dedicated to Murugan. It is one of only two brick shrine pre Pallava Hindu temples to be found in the state, the other being theVeetrirundha Perumal Temple at Veppathur dedicated toVishnu. The dynasties of early medievalTamilakkam expanded and erected structural additions to many of these brick shrines. Sculptures of erotic art, nature and deities from theRanganathaswamy Temple andKallazhagar temple date from the Sangam period. Many of the temples of this time have been built on either bricks or granite stones, but they did not survive until modern times due to the destruction caused by the invasion of theDelhi Sultanate Empire under the leadership ofMalik Kafur.
Several brick structures dating to the Sangam era have been unearthed at places across Tamil Nadu such asKeeladi,Adichanallur andKodumanal. The findings at these sites indicate that the buildings were built using burnt bricks.[11]
TheSrirangam Ranganathaswamy temple is mentioned in variousSanskrit Literatures in various periods like theRamayana,[12][13][14]Mahabharatha,[15]Padma Purana,Brahmanda Purana[16] andGaruda Puranam. There are mentions even in theTamil literature of theSangam era (500 BCE to 300 CE[17]), there are mentions in many books likeAkanaṉūṟu,Purananuru,Paripāṭal andSilapadikaram. Example:-Silapadikaram (book 11, lines 35–40):[18]
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The Srirangam Ranganathaswamy temple was first built by the Chola ruler, Dharmavarma. The Kaveri river flood destroyed the templevimanam, and later, theearly Cholas KingKillivalavan rebuilt the temple complex as is present today. Beyond the ancient textual history, archaeological evidence such as inscriptions refer to this temple, and these stone inscriptions are from late 100 BCE to 100 CE.[19] Hence, making it one of the oldest surviving active temple complexes in the world.[19] There are many mandapas which were built near the mainSanctum Sanctorum which dates around 100 CE to 300 CE built byUraiyurCholas. There were later additions of structures and inscriptions in the temple which belong to theChola,Pandya,Hoysala,Marathas andVijayanagara dynasties who ruled over the region. These inscriptions range in date between the 7th and 17th centuries.[20]
ThePallavas ruled from 600 CE to 900 CE and their greatest constructed accomplishments are the single rock temples inMahabalipuram and their capitalKanchipuram, now located in Tamil Nadu.[21][22][23]
Pallava art and architecture represent an early stage of Dravidian art andarchitecture which blossomed to its fullest extent under theChola Dynasty. The first stone and mortar temples ofSouth India were constructed duringPallava rule and were based on earlier brick and timber prototypes.
The earliest examples of Pallava constructions are rock-cut temples dating from 610 to 690 CE and structural temples between 690 and 900 CE. A number of rock-cut cave temples bear the inscription of the Pallava king,Mahendravarman I and his successors.[24] The greatest accomplishments of the Pallava architecture are the rock-cutGroup of Monuments at Mahabalipuram atMahabalipuram, a UNESCOWorld Heritage Site, including theSthalasayana Perumal Temple andShore Temple.[21][22][25] This group includes both excavated pillared halls, with no external roof except the natural rock, and monolithic shrines where the natural rock is entirely cut away and carved to give an external roof. Pallava sculptors later graduated to free-standing structural shrines which inspired Chola temples of a later age. Some of the best examples of Pallava art and architecture are theVaikunta Perumal Temple atKanchipuram, theShore Temple and thePancha Rathas ofMahabalipuram. Akshara was the greatest sculptor of their time.[22][26][27]
After the close of the Sangam age, the first Pandyan empire was established by Kadungon in the 6th century CE by defeating the Kalabhras, The empire ruled from 6th to 10th century CE.
Rock cut and structural temples are significant part of pandyan architecture. TheVimana andmandapa are some of the features of the early Pandyan temples.[28] Groups of small temples are seen atTiruchirappalli district of Tamil Nadu. The Shiva temples have aNandi bull sculpture in front of themaha mandapa.[29] In the later stages of Pandyas rule, finely sculptured idols,gopurams on thevimanas were developed. Gopurams are the rectangular entrance and portals of the temples.[30][31]Meenakshi Amman Temple in Madurai,Kallalagar temple inAlagar Koyil andSrivilliputhur Andal Temple inSrivilliputhur were built during the reign of the Pandyas.
Kallalagar Temple (Kallazhagar Temple) is aHindu temple dedicated to Vishnu inAlagar Koyil, a village inMadurai district. Constructed in theDravidian style, the temple is glorified in theNaalayira Divya Prabandham, the early medievalTamil canon of theAlvar saints from the 6th–9th centuries CE. It is one of the 108Divya Desams dedicated to Vishnu, who is worshiped as Kallalagar, and his consortLakshmi as Thirumagal.[32] This temple is called asThirumaliruncholai inSangam literatures andNaalayira Divya Prabandham sung by Tamil Alvar saints. A granite wall surrounds the temple, enclosing all its shrines. The temple has a seven-tiered rajagopuram. The temple is surrounded by a large fort, part of which is dilapidated.
The famousVaishnava works in Tamil, belonging to the early 4th to 6th centuries point that to this temple as a Vishnu temple. TheSangam age belonging to (500 BCE to 300 CE), points out to this temple as a Vishnu temple.Paripāṭal andSilapadikaram mention this temple in most poetic terms.[18][33]
The Srivilliputhur Andal Temple inSrivilliputhur, a town in theVirudhunagar district, located 80 km (50 mi) fromMadurai, is dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu. Constructed in theDravidian style, the temple is glorified in theNalayira Divya Prabandham, the early medievalTamil canon of theAlvar saints from the 6th–9th centuries CE. It is one of the 108Divya Desams dedicated to Vishnu, who is worshipped as Vatapatrasayi and his consortLakshmi as Andal. It is believed to be the birthplace of two of the Alvars, namelyPeriyalvar and his foster-daughter,Andal.[34]The history of Srivilliputhur centres around the Srivilliputhur Andal Temple, dedicated toAndal.[35] It is argued that the temple of Vatapatrasayi is present from the 5th century, but there are epigraphic records are available only from the 9th century CE. The view that the Andal temple was built during the 14th century is highly debated.[36] The temple has inscriptions from Chola, Pandya and Vijayanagar Nayakkar Kings, spanning across various centuries from the 10th to 16th centuries. As per some accounts, the original structure was constructed by Tribuvana Chakravarthy Konerinmai Kondan Kulasekaran and the Andal temple and 59-metre (194 ft) Rajagopura was built by Barathi Rayar of Vijayanagar king.[37]
The temples inKalugumalai, are located on a rocky hill in theThoothukudi district. Kalugumalai houses the 8th centuryJain Beds,Vettuvan Koil andKalugasalamoorthy Temple, aMurugan temple at the foothills. The rock-cut temples, sculptures and the carvings are exemplary of early Pandyan architecture.[38] The Jain beds are dedicated to the Jain and Hindu religious figures. Constructed in rock cut style, the unfinished temple was built during the reign ofPandyan king Parantaka Nedunjadaiya (768-800 CE).
There are approximately 150 niches in the bed, that includes images ofGomateshwara,Parshvanatha and otherTirthankaras of theJainism.[38]
The carvings in theVettuvan Koil show the top portion of the temple, with an unfinished bottom. The sculptures and the carvings are indicative of Pandyan art during the period.[38] The granite rock looks like a blooming lotus, with hills surrounding it on three sides. Thevimana (ceiling over the sanctum) has niches of Parsavadevatas, the attendant deities of Shiva, like ganas,Dakshinamurthy depicted playing amridanga, Siva with his consortUma, dancers, various niches ofNandi (the sacred bull of Shiva) and animals like monkeys and lions. Historian Sivaramamurti believes that this is the only place where
Dakshinamurthy is depicted playing the Mridanga (a percussion instrument), while in all other places, he is depicted playingVeena. Epigrapher like V. Vedachalam believes that there is a spontaneity in the sculptures indicating of natural human movements like in
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the Shiva and Uma sculpture where they seem to be talking like common folks.
The sanctum of theKalugasalamoorthy temple is approached through a pillared hall near the gateway. The temple tank is located outside the temple. The sanctum is built in a rock-cut cave, which houses the image of Murugan in the form of Kazhugachalamurthi in seated posture. The sanctum faces West and the image of the presiding deity is 4 ft (1.2 m) tall. The image is sported with six hands with one of them holdingVel (divine spear), his left leg over the shoulder of the peacock and right is left hanging. There are separate shrines of his consortsValli facing South andDeivanai facing North. There is a separate shrine for Shiva and Parvathi and all the Parsvatah Devatas (attendant deities) associated withShiva temples. Usually in Murugan temples, his vehicle peacock would be heading towards his right, but it is sported on to the left of Murugan in this temple. It is believed thatIndra, the king of celestial deities, appeared as peacock to worship Murugan. The image of the peacock is hence covered during the festivals.[39]
TheChola kings ruled from 848 to 1280 CE and includedRajaraja Chola I and his sonRajendra Chola who built temples such as theBrihadeshvara Temple ofThanjavur andBrihadeshvara Temple ofGangaikonda Cholapuram, theAiravatesvara Temple ofDarasuram and theSarabeswara (Shiva) Temple, also called the Kampahareswarar Temple atThirubhuvanam, the last two temples being located near Kumbakonam. The first three among the above four temples are titledGreat Living Chola Temples among theUNESCOWorld Heritage Sites.
TheCholas were prolific temple builders right from the times of the first kingVijayalaya Chola after whom the eclectic chain of Vijayalaya Chozhisvaram temple near Narttamalai exists. These are the earliest specimen of Dravidian temples under the Cholas. His son Aditya I built several temples around the Kanchi and Kumbakonam regions. TheVaradharajaperumal temple, Thirubuvanai which was built by Chola kingParantaka I (907-955 CE) and was called Veeranarayana Vinnagar. The temple has sculptures ofRamayana and the legend ofVamana mentioned in theRig Veda,Yajur veda,Sama veda,Ramayana,Mahabharatha,Brihadaranyaka Upanishad and many more texts. An inscription dated to the 30th regnal year ofRajadhiraja I (c. 1048 CE), mentions teachingRig Veda,Yajur Veda, Chandogasama, Talavakrasama, Apurva, Vajnasaneya, Bodhayaniya Sathashatandha Sutra and explanations ofsastras .[40] There are inscriptions in the temple from the period ofRajadhiraja Chola indicating recital ofTiruvaymoli, the famous works of theAlvar saintNammalvar.[41]
Temple building received great impetus from the conquests and the genius ofAditya IParantaka I,Sundara Chola,Rajaraja Chola and his sonRajendra Chola I. Rajendra Chola I built the Rajaraja Temple at Thanjavur after his own name. The maturity and grandeur to which the Chola architecture had evolved found expression in the two temples of Tanjavur and Gangaikondacholapuram. He also proclaimed himself as Gangaikonda. In a small portion of the Kaveri belt between Tiruchy-Tanjore-Kumbakonam, at the height of their power, the Cholas have left over 2300 temples, with the Tiruchy-Thanjavur belt itself boasting of more than 1500 temples. The magnificentSiva temple of Thanjavur built by Raja Raja I in 1009 as well as theBrihadisvara Temple ofGangaikonda Cholapuram, completed around 1030, are both fitting memorials to the material and military achievements of the time of the two Chola emperors. The largest and tallest of all Indian temples of its time, the Tanjore Brihadisvara is at the apex of South Indian architecture.[42] In fact, two succeeding Chola kings Raja Raja II and Kulothunga III built theAiravatesvara Temple atDarasuram and the Kampahareswarar Siva Temple at Tribhuvanam respectively, both temples being on the outskirts of Kumbakonam around 1160 and 1200 CE. All the four temples were built over a period of nearly 200 years reflecting the glory, prosperity and stability under the Chola emperors.
Contrary to popular impression, the Chola emperors patronized and promoted construction of a large number of temples that were spread over most parts of the Chola empire. These include 40 of the 108 VaishnavaDivya Desams out of which 77 are found spread most of South India and others in Andhra and North India. In fact, the SriRanganathaswamy Temple inSrirangam, which is the biggest temple in India and theChidambaramNatarajar Temple (though originally built by the Pallavas but possibly seized from the Cholas of the pre-Christian era when they ruled from Kanchi) were two of the most important temples patronized and expanded by the Cholas and from the times of the second Chola King Aditya I, these two temples have been hailed in inscriptions as the tutelary deities of the Chola Kings.
Temple shrine on theKoneswaram temple promontory extremity and theKetheeswaram temple andMunneswaram temple compounds contained tall gopuram towers by Chola rule ofTrincomalee,Mannar,Puttalam andChidambaram's expansion that escalated the building of those syncretic latter styles of Dravidian architecture seen across the continent pictured.[43][44][45][46]
Of course, the twoBrihadisvara Temples at Thanjavur andGangaikonda Cholapuram as well as the other two Siva temples, namely theAiravatesvara Temple ofDarasuram and theSarabeswara (Shiva) Temple which is also popular as the Kampahareswarar Temple atThirubhuvanam, both on the outskirts ofKumbakonam were the royal temples of the Cholas to commemorate their innumerable conquests and subjugation of their rivals from other parts of South India, Deccan Ilangai orSri Lanka and the Narmada-Mahanadi-Gangetic belts. But the Chola emperors underlined their non-partisan approach to religious
iconography and faith by treating the presiding deities of their other two peerless creations, namely theRanganathaswamy Temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu atSrirangam and theNataraja Temple atChidambaram which actually is home to the twin deities ofSiva and Vishnu (as the reclining Govindarajar) to be their 'Kuladheivams' or tutelary (or family) deities. The Cholas also preferred to call only these two temples which home their tutelary or family deities asKoil or the 'Temple', which denotes the most important places of worship for them, underlining their eq. The above-named temples are being proposed to be included among theUNESCOWorld Heritage Sites, which will elevate them to the exacting and exalting standards of theGreat Living Chola Temples.
The temple ofGangaikondacholapuram, the creation ofRajendra Chola I, was intended to exceed its predecessor in every way. Completed around 1030, only two decades after the temple atThanjavur and in much the same style, the greater elaboration in its appearance attests the more affluent state of the Chola Empire under Rajendra.[47] This temple has a larger Siva linga than the one atThanjavur but the Vimana of this temple is smaller in height than the Thanjavur vimana.
The Chola period is also remarkable for its sculptures and bronzes all over the world. Among the existing specimens in museums around the world and in the temples of South India may be seen many fine figures of Siva in various forms, such as Vishnu and his consortLakshmi, and the Siva saints. Though conforming generally to the iconographic conventions established by long tradition, the sculptors worked with great freedom in the 11th and the 12th centuries to achieve a classic grace and grandeur. The best example of this can be seen in the form ofNataraja the Divine Dancer.[48]
Krishnapuram Venkatachalapathy temple, (also called Krishnapuram Temple) in Krishnapuram, a village in theTirunelveli district, located 10 km (6.2 mi) fromTirunelveli, is dedicated to Vishnu. Constructed in the Dravidian style, the temple is a storehouse of Nayak architecture. A granite wall surrounds the temple complex, enclosing all its shrines. The temple has a five tieredRajagopuram. TheVijayanagar andNayak kings commissioned pillared halls and major shrines of the temple during the 16th century.There are many halls in the temple namely the Pandal mantap, Vahana mandap, Ranga Mandap an Nanguneri Jeeyar mandap. The Pandal mandap has pillars replete with architectural features displayingpushpaboikai,palagai, andvarikolam. The Unjal mandap is designed to accommodate the swing for the festival deities. The square shaped Vasantha mandap has Navarang style.[49][50] The temple houses rare sculptures from the Nayak period in the Veerappa Nayak Mandap. There are exquisite carvings in the pillars and life size images indicating various legends of Hindu Puranas.[51] The Jeeyar mandap houses lot of pillars with images of ladies hold lamps as in Kerala temples. The seer of temples used to rest at this place during festivals. The Sorga vasal (gateway to heaven) is located to the west of Yagasalai Mandap and is open only during the ten-dayVaikunta Ekadasi festival. Manimandap has numerous pillars with sculptures of elephants andyalis.[52] The composite columns ofVirabhadra holding sword and horn are found be additions of the Vijayanayagara kings during the early 1500s. Similar columns of Virabhadra are found inAdikesava Perumal Temple at Thiruvattaru,Meenakshi Temple at Madurai,Nellaiappar Temple at Tirunelveli,Kasi Viswanathar temple at Tenkasi,Ramanathaswamy Temple at Rameswaram,Soundararajaperumal temple at Thadikombu,Srivilliputhur Andal temple,Srivaikuntanathan Permual temple at Srivaikuntam,Avudayarkovil,Vaishnava Nambi and Thirukurungudivalli Nachiar temple at Thirukkurungudi.[53]
Vellore Fort was built by Chinna Bommi Reddy and Thimma Reddy Nayak, subordinate chieftains underSadasiva Raya of theVijayanagara Empire in the year of 1566 CE.[54] It is mentioned that "there is no such fort on the face of earth like the one in Vellore. It had a deep wet ditch (moat) where once 10,000 crocodiles swarmed, waiting to grab every intruder into this impregnable fort. It has huge double walls with bastions projecting irregularly, where two carts can be driven abreast".[55] The fort was constructed ingranite from the nearby quarries in Arcot and Chittoor districts. It spreads over an area of 54 hectares (133 acres) and is located at an altitude of 220 m (720 ft) within a broken mountain range. The fort is surrounded by amoat which was once used as an additional line of defence in the case of an invasion. It was supposed to have included an escape tunnel leading to Virinjipuram about 12 km (7.5 mi) away, which could be used by the king and other royals in the event of an attack. This report was however later disputed by researchers of the ASI who found no evidence of the existence of such a passage. The fort is considered to be among the best of military architecture in Southern India and is known for its grand ramparts, wide moat and robust masonry.[56] TheJalakanteshwara Temple inside Vellore fort is a fine example ofVijayanagaram Architecture.The temple has exquisite carvings on its gopuram (tower), richly carved stone pillars, large wooden gates and stunning monoliths and sculptures. These Vijayanagara sculptures are similar to the ones present inSoundararajaperumal Temple, Thadikombu,Krishnapuram Venkatachalapathy temple,Srivilliputhur Divya Desam andAlagar Koyil.[57] The Gopuram of the tower is over 100 ft. in height. The temple also has aMandapam, with the hall supported by carved stone pillars of dragons, horses andyalis (lion like creature).[58][59]
Thenkaraikottai is another fort built byVijayanagara Empire. This is the only land fort present in Tamil Nadu. The site is approximately 16 hectares (40 acres)[60] and contains a temple dedicated toLord Rama (an avatar ofLord Vishnu) commonly known asSri Kalyana Ramaswamy temple. The fort is said to be built by Seelappa Nayakkar and Chennappa Nayakkar of Vijayanagar dynasty to stay in this place and collect tax from the people.[61] The temple is an other fine example ofVijayanagaram architecture apart from theJalakanteshwara Temple. The temple is maintained by theHindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department of theGovernment of Tamil Nadu. There are few ruined historic buildings which includes Granaries, stables for elephants and horses, cannons, a bathing area for the princes, A tank for the temple, a well for the temple, A Palace hall and many more.[62] pillars which are sculpted in a manner which can produce musical notes when struck. Tamil poet says that the pillars here are a combination of the Shruti Gana Laya types. TheMandapa has beautiful architectural representations of various forms of Vishnu and few scenes ofRamayana,Mahabharatha andSrimad Bhagavatham. There are statues ofAlvars andVaishnavate Acharyas,Vishvaksena kept in a row in the inner Mandapam of the temple similar to many otherVaishnavate temples. The inner Mandapam has four pillars with sculptures of Vishnu and his avatars. The temple also has a temple tank which is present away from the temple.
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TheMadurai and Tanjavur Nayaks made great contributions to architectural style, the main characteristics of the style during this period being the elaboratemandapas of the "hundred-pillared" and "thousand-pillared" types, the highgopurams with stucco statues on the surface and the long corridors.
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The main temples representing this style are:
makes it the largest functioning religious complex in the world.
The Thanjavur Maratha palace was originally constructed by the rulers ofThanjavur Nayak kingdom. After the fall of the Thanjavur Nayak kingdom, it served as the official residence of theThanjavur Maratha. The palace complex consists of the Sadar Mahal Palace, the queen's courtyard and the Durbar Hall. The Royal Palace Museum contains a splendid collection of Chola bronzes. The Raja Serfoji Memorial Hall and the Royal Palace Museum are situated in the Sadar Mahal Palace. There is also a small bell tower. TheSaraswathi Mahal Library is situated with the Thanjavur palace complex.[63]
San Thome Basilica is aRoman Catholic (Latin Rite) minorbasilica inSanthome, in the city ofChennai, India. It was built in the 16th century byPortuguese explorers, and rebuilt again with the status of acathedral by theBritish in 1893. TheMadras High Court andGovernment Museum in Chennai were designed byHenry Irwin.
Indo-Saracenic architecture is a type of architecture used by the British architects in India in the late 19th century and the early 20th century. It is a combination ofIslamic,Hindu, andByzantine Revival architecture. Features of Indo-Saracenic architecture include domes, arches,minarets, and stained glass. The British built many public buildings like museums, educational institutions, and railway stations using this type of architecture. Examples of Indo-Saracenic style buildings in Chennai include Madras High Court, Senate House, Chepauk Palace, and Egmore Railway station.[64]
Many historic buildings are still fully functional and host government, business or educational establishments. Chennai is home to the second largest collection of heritage buildings in the country, after Kolkata.[65]
Built in 1639,Fort St George, used to house theTamil Nadu Legislative Assembly and Secretariat.Tipu Sultan's cannons decorate the ramparts of the Fort's museum. The Fort has the country's tallest flagstaff at a height of 46 m (150 ft).[66] The fort is one of the 163 notified areas (megalithic sites) in the state of Tamil Nadu.
Constructed in 1768, it was the first building in India constructed using the Indo-Saracenic type of architecture. It was designed byPaul Benfield, a British architect.[64] TheChepauk Palace used to be the official residence of theNawabs of Arcot. It has a total area of 117 acres with two blocks - Kalas Mahal and Humayun Mahal.[67]
Constructed in 1879 byRobert Chisholm,[68] the Senate House is located inside theUniversity of Madras campus and represents the Indo-Saracenic style of architecture. The main door of the Senate House opens to the Great Hall which is 46 m (150 ft) long, 18 m (60 ft) wide, and 15 m (50 ft) feet high. The first Legislative Assembly of Madras met here in 1937. University convocations were also previously held here.[68]
TheMadras High Court is the second largest judicial building in the world next only to the Courts of London. It is a good example of the Indo-Saracenic style and was completed in 1892.[69]
The Victoria Memorial Hall built in 1906 by Henry Irwin[70] is another example of Indo-Saracenic architecture. It was initially the location of theVictoria Technical Institute, later renamed as theNational Art Gallery in 1951.[71] It had about 175 collections of paintings fromRajasthan, Deccan,Tanjore, andRaja Ravi Varma, besides many bronze, wood, and ivory items from the British era. However, the art gallery is closed since 2002 as it is being renovated.[70]
TheValluvar Kottam, constructed in 1976, is an auditorium in memory of the poet-saintThiruvalluvar. All 1,330 verses of the poet's epic, theThirukkural, are inscribed on the granite pillars that surround the auditorium. There is a 101-feet hightemple chariot structure with a life-size image of the poet in it. The base of the chariot shows in bas-relief the 133 chapters of the Thirukkural.
There are a number of railway stations of interest in Chennai, primarily built throughout the colonial era. These include theEgmore station, theRoyapuram station dating from 1856, theChennai Central station dating from 1873 and theSouthern Railway Headquarters built in 1922.
TheGovernment Museum (designed byHenry Irwin and completed in 1896) and theCollege of Engineering, Guindy are some more examples of the Indo-Saracenic style of architecture.
Other buildings of architectural significance are the Presidency College, built in 1840, theRipon Building (now housing theChennai Corporation) dating from 1913, The War Memorial,Vivekanandar Illam, The Museum Theatre and theRamakrishna Math temple. Adjoining the Governor's residence (Raj Bhavan) at Guindy, there are fivemandapams (or memorials) dedicated toMahatma Gandhi, the first Indian Governor GeneralC Rajagopalachari, former Chief Ministers of the stateKamaraj andBhaktavatsalam and one to Martyrs in general.
Chettinad is a region located mainly in theSivaganga district ruled by Ramnad kingdom ofPandya Nadu and has a small portion extending into thePudukottai District ofChola Nadu.
The Chettinad region is well known for its 19th-century mansions, whose wide courtyards and spacious rooms are embellished withmarble andteak. Construction materials, decorative items and furnishings were mostly imported from East Asian countries and Europe. The marble was brought from Italy,chandeliers and teak fromBurma, crockery fromIndonesia, crystals from Europe and wall-to-wall mirrors fromBelgium.
Many of these mansions were built using a type of limestone known askarai.[72] Local legend has it that the mansion walls were polished with a paste made out of eggwhites to give them a smooth texture.
AfterIndependence, the state witnessed a rise in a blend of Modern and Traditional style of architecture.[73]
Built in 1956, theGandhi Mandapam is a set of memorials dedicated toMahatma Gandhi and numerous otherChief Ministers of Tamil Nadu. Its total area is 18 acres and it contains an amphitheater and a museum.[74] The memorial is unique as it is modelled in the style of a South Indian temple.[citation needed]
TheVivekananda Rock Memorial was constructed in 1970[75] in the memory ofSwami Vivekananda. It is located on an island nearKanyakumari next to theThiruvalluvar Statue.Eknath Ranade, a social activist who was influenced by the teachings of Swami Vivekananda, played a crucial role in the construction of the memorial. He also founded theVivekananda Kendra adjacent to the memorial in 1972.[76]
TheThiruvalluvar Statue, whose construction started in 1990 and completed in 1999,[77] is a 133-feet high (statue height 95 feet erected on a 38 feet stone pedestal[75]) dedicated to the Tamil poet Thiruvalluvar, who wroteThirukkural, considered one of the greatest works in literature of morality and ethics. The height signifies the 133 chapters of Thirukkaral. The statue is located on an island near the southernmost city of mainland India, Kanyakumari. It was constructed byGanapati Sthapati.[77]
