In this episode of the podcast, we’ll delve into the fascinating world of the Chola Dynasty — a formidable South Indian empire that flourished from the 9th to the 13th centuries CE. Originating in present-day Tamil Nadu, the Cholas expanded their influence far beyond their homeland, conquering the kingdoms of the Pallavas, Cheras, and Pandyas to establish a vast and significant empire in Southern India and beyond.

Vijayalaya Chola established the Chola empire in the 9th century. His successors, notably Rajaraja Chola I (reigned 985–1014 CE) and his son Rajendra Chola I (reigned 1014–1044 CE), took the empire to new heights and expanded it to previously uncharted territories — making it one of the vastest empires in the Southern region of the country. Rajaraja Chola I’s reign was marked by significant administrative and military reforms, laying the foundation for a well-organised and powerful empire. The Cholas reached their zenith in social, religious, and military spheres under his rule, before their gradual decline in the late 12th century — paving the way for the rise of successor states.

Tune in to listen and expand your knowledge about the histories behind the temples in India and their architectural wonders. Streaming now on Spotify and Apple Podcast. (Head to our website for more details)

Image credits: Mcasankar

Written by Urvi C; Hosted by: Hanima Nawaz; modified by Davangi Pathak and Final Revisions by Pranay Dewani.

In this episode of the podcast, we’ll delve into the structural and ecological brilliance of one of the most iconic examples of Pallava architecture: The Shore Temple. To trace the evolution of the Dravida temple style, we’ll also take a brief look at the Kailashnath Temple in Kanchipuram, the historic capital of the Pallava dynasty. Along the way, we’ll explore the concepts of akam and puram, which underpin the spiritual essence of Dravida temple towns.

As pioneers of Dravidian temple architecture, the early Pallava rulers were instrumental in establishing a sophisticated artistic and architectural identity. This identity not only defines Pallava style but also reveals the deep symbolic connections between ecology and art. Our exploration of the Shore Temple, perched on the Coromandel Coast in Mamallapuram, Tamil Nadu, will shed light on these philosophical, semiotic, and ecological aspects.

Tune in to listen and expand your knowledge about the histories behind the temples in India and their architectural wonders. Streaming now on Spotify and Apple Podcast. (Head to our website for more details)

Image credits: Wikimedia Commons

Written by Urvi C; Hosted by: Hanima Nawaz; modified by Davangi Pathak and Final Revisions by Pranay Dewani.

In this episode of the podcast, we will briefly examine monolithic structures from the Pallava dynasty, which became precursors to future Dravida temples. Continuing along similar lines, we will also explore these monolithic structures to understand their functions and purposes.

As you might recall, in the previous episode our discussion focused on the Udayagiri caves — highlighting how a monolithic structure became a social, cultural, and political emblem. Due to royal patrons and their secular support for various faiths, there was a fundamental evolution of art and architecture in the Indian subcontinent. Artistic production and development from the onset of regional dynasties relied primarily on two factors: patronage and religion. Specifically, architectural expansion often began with the rock-cut method, producing devotional monolithic structures as well as sculptures.

Tune in to listen and expand your knowledge about the histories behind the temples in India and their architectural wonders. Streaming now on Spotify and Apple Podcast. (Head to our website for more details)

Image credits: Arian Zwegers

Written by Urvi C; Hosted by: Hanima Nawaz; modified by Davangi Pathak and Final Revisions by Pranay Dewani.

In this episode of the podcast, we shall delve into the fascinating world of Dravida temples. While we have briefly studied Nagara and its subdivisions in the north, Dravida temples predominantly belong to southern India, with Vesara temples found in the central part. Whether you find yourself in the temples of Tamil Nadu or the grand structures of Rajasthan, each temple tells a story of devotion, artistry, and the enduring legacy of India’s rich architectural heritage.

We’ll take a look at how gopurams of Dravida temples are not merely decorative; but also function as gateways — marking the transition from the secular to the sacred — and how, the Dravida style, with its focus on precision and detailed sculptures, contrasts with the Nagara style’s emphasis on verticality and ornate spires.

Tune in to listen and expand your knowledge about the histories behind the temples in India and their architectural wonders. Streaming now on Spotify and Apple Podcast. (Head to our website for more details)

Image credits: Rajaraman Sundaram

Written by Urvi C; Hosted by: Hanima Nawaz; modified by Davangi Pathak and Final Revisions by Pranay Dewani.

In this episode of the podcast, we delve into the magnificent Sun temples of ancient India, exploring the evolution of Nagara styles, including Kalinga and Bhumija. We’ll discover how to identify these distinct styles and examine the patronage of the Solanki dynasty, who built the iconic Modhera Sun temple in western India.

We’ll also marvel at the Sun temple of Konark, and explore the iconography of Lord Surya and its variations. Get ready to uncover the secrets of these architectural wonders and gain a deeper appreciation for India’s rich cultural heritage.

Tune in to listen and expand your knowledge about the histories behind the temples in India and their architectural wonders. Streaming now on Spotify and Apple Podcast. (Head to our website for more details)

Image credits: Shresth Raj

Written by Urvi C; Hosted by: Hanima Nawaz; modified by Davangi Pathak and Final Revisions by Pranay Dewani.

In this episode of the podcast, we will discuss the Nagara-style temples, and deep dive into the tremendous merger of socio-cultural elements with religion during the Chandella dynasty. We shall discuss the exceptional and infamous Khajuraho temples.

We’ll try to answer some pertinent questions — who were the Chandellas, and what inspired them to build the Khajuraho temples? What has successive research concluded about the meaning and symbolism of the erotic sculptures on the temple?

Further, we will arrive at the patronage by the Chandellas by discussing the Khajurao temples, which include Kandariya Mahadeo and Lakshmana temples. We’ll study the significance of the erotic sculptures and their symbolic inclination, and try to understand the concept of sacred and secular in the temple.

Tune in to listen and expand your knowledge about the histories behind the temples in India and their architectural wonders. Streaming now on Spotify and Apple Podcast.

Image credits: Dey Alexander, Flickr

Written by Urvi C; Hosted by: Hanima Nawaz; modified by Davangi Pathak and Final Revisions by Pranay Dewani.

This episode of MASH podcast will focus on the grand legacy and the golden age of the Gupta dynasty, with a special focus on the Dashavatara temple and the iconography of Lord Vishnu.

It will delve into what the Trimurti — the collective of Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva — symbolises in the Hindu cosmology and their functions. We’ll also take a look at how Vishnu’s reverence gained momentum in Hinduism, and how the Vaishnavism sect of Hinduism rose to prominence in India between the 4th to 6th century.

If you’ve ever wondered how historians and archaeologists deduce the main deity of the temple and conduct a holistic research of the site? This podcast episode is for you!

Tune in to listen and expand your knowledge about the histories behind the temples in India and their architectural wonders. Streaming now on Spotify and Apple Podcast.

Image credits: Bob King, Wikimedia Commons

Written by Urvi C; Hosted by: Hanima Nawaz; modified by Davangi Pathak and Final Revisions by Pranay Dewani.

The podcast will focus on the Nagara style of temple architecture, expanding on the definition of sub-categories (Rekha Prasada or latina, etc.) with examples.

The podcast will begin with revising the significance of the structures/ parts of the temple.

The episode will also share the facts regarding the first temple constructed under the patronage of the Gupta kingdom, whose reign was known as the golden age. While discussing the lineage of Gupta rulers and their contribution to Indian art and architecture, we shall also elaborate on Udaigiri caves, providing in detail the concept of Rock cut architecture.

In continuation to Nagara style, the various schools (Solanki school, etc) under several consecutive patronage will be elaborately discussed.

Tune in to listen and expand your knowledge about the histories behind the temples in India and their architectural wonders. Streaming now on Spotify and Apple Podcast.

Image credits: Asit Jain, Wikimedia Commons

Written by Urvi C; Hosted by: Hanima Nawaz; modified by Davangi Pathak and Final Revisions by Medha Sharma.