Question

Which feature is most characteristic of the mandapas in Nayaka period temples?

• A. They were simple, open courtyards without carvings.
• B. They had only a few plain pillars with no sculptural ornamentation.
• C. They only served as storage spaces, with no decorative features.
• D. They included intricately carved pillars, some with depictions of gods, goddesses, and divine figures.

Answer 1

Answer:

D. They included intricately carved pillars, some with depictions of gods, goddesses, and divine figures.

The Nayakas developed a distinct style of temple architecture within the broader framework of Dravidian temple design and also undertook the renovation of temples that had been damaged by the Delhi Sultans. Drawing inspiration from the temple-building traditions of the Vijayanagara and Chola dynasties, as well as local architectural influences, the Nayakas refined and enhanced the classical Dravidian style with unique innovations. Corridors: Temples from the Nayaka period featured long, expansive corridors. Mandapas: These temples included intricately carved hundred- and thousand-pillared mandapas situated around the sanctum sanctorum. Gopurams: Unlike the Chola-era Brihadesvara Temple, which has a single gopuram, Nayaka temples had multiple towering, multi-storied gopurams. Sculptural Ornamentation: The pillars in the corridors and mandapas were extensively carved with depictions of gods, goddesses, and other divine figures. Paintings: The gopurams were vividly painted and adorned with stucco statues of deities, demons, animals, and other mythological figures. Example: The Meenakshi Amman Temple in Madurai, built around the 1650s, stands as the finest example of Nayaka temple architecture.