Early Influences on Dravidian Architecture (300 BCE - 300 CE)
The roots of Dravidian architecture can be traced back to the early centuries of the common era. During this period, the kingdoms of the early Cholas, Cheras, and Pandyas laid the foundation for the grand temple complexes that would later flourish in Southern India.
Brick Shrines and Sangam Literature
From 300 BCE to 300 CE, the greatest accomplishments of these early kingdoms included brick shrines dedicated to deities such as Vishnu, Kartikeya, Shiva, and Amman. Several of these shrines have been unearthed near Adichanallur, Kaveripoompuharpattinam, and Mahabalipuram. The construction plans of these sites of worship were even detailed in various poems of Sangam literature.
The Srirangam Ranganathaswamy Temple
One of the oldest surviving active temple complexes in South India is the Srirangam Ranganathaswamy Temple. Inscriptions found at the temple date back to the period between 100 BCE and 100 CE, making it a crucial link to this early period of temple architecture.
The Subrahmanya Temple, Saluvankuppam
Another important discovery is the Subrahmanya Temple, Saluvankuppam, unearthed in 2005. This temple consists of three layers, with the lowest layer, a brick shrine, being one of the oldest of its kind in South India. It is also the oldest shrine found dedicated to Murugan. This temple, along with the Veetrirundha Perumal Temple at Veppathur, are the only two brick shrine pre-Pallava Hindu temples to be found in the state.
These early temples, though not as grand or ornate as their later counterparts, are a testament to the long and rich history of temple building in Southern India. They provide valuable insights into the origins of Dravidian architecture and the religious beliefs and practices of the early Tamil people.