Historical

Historical places which speak of the Architectural marvels built by the Kingdoms who ruled Tamilnadu at different times.

Chola empire: 

Right from the first king, Cholas built as many as 2300 temples and around 1500 temples existed around the kauvery belt. . But the Temples at Thanjavur, Darasuram and Gangaikonda cholapuram are titled as Great living Chola temples. These temples are the earliest specimen of dravidian style architecture and Chola emperors built them in memory of their victory and patronised the temple deities. Chidambaram temple is their Kula Deivam.  Coronation of the new king will be done in the temple premises of Chidambaram in front  of Lord Nataraja. During their period , they worshipped and revered Big temples as Srirangam Ranganathaswamy temple and Natarajar temple of Chidambaram.

Brihadeeswara temple in Gangaikonda cholapuram, 

Airawateswar temple in Darasuram, 

Brihadeeswarar temple in Thanjavur

Vijya Choleeswaram temple in Narthamalai, 

Natarajar temple in Chidambaram

Ranganathaswamy temple, Srirangam

Nageswaraswamy temple in Kumbakonam, 

Kampaheswarar temple in Thirubuvanam,

Moovar temple near Pudukottai, 

Tiruvalleeswarar temple near Tirunelveli

Somnath Eswarar temple near Vellore

Pandya Empire:

Temples built by Pandyas were mainly designed as rock cut caves and structural architecture.

Meenakshi amman temple in Madurai

Nellaiappar Temple in tirunelveli  

Vettuvankoil Shiva temple, 

Jain caves in Kalugumalai

Pallava empire

Pallavas constructed many rock cut temples and many of them are carved out of single stone Only during Pallavas period Dravidian style and rock cut structure were introduced. Some of them are even 2000 years old...Most of them are Hindu temples and Temple tanks were also a part of their construction. 

Kailasanathar temple in  Kancheepuram, 

Shore temple and Pancha Pandava rathas in Mahabalipuram, 

Mamandur

Gingee fort

Tiruvellarai temple

Kunnandar koil cave temple near pudukottai

Nayaks empire

Nayaks period architecture had a blend of Dravidian and Islamic style. The unique halls had  100 pillars or 1000 pillars. Apart from architecture, during their period Tanjore painting and mural paintings were also developed. They have renovated many temples which were demolished by Delhi Sultans. Nayaks were basically fragmented groups of Vijayanagara. Nayaks of Tanjore and Madurai were more powerful and established their regime in these areas. The following are the places which speaks of Nayak style architecture

Thirumalai Nayak mahal at Madurai , Meenakshi amman temple at Madurai and 

Tanjore Palace are the  places which speaks of Nayak period architecture.

Vijayanagara empire

Vijayanagar architecture had the confluence of Hoysala, Chalukya , Chola and Pandya style architecture. They constructed many temples. The pillars were carved with intricate designs. Tall gopuram at the entrance of the temples, Kalyana mandapam inside the temple and decoration on the exterior walls were the uniqueness of Vijayanagar architecture. The temples of Vellore, Kanchipuram, Kumbakonam and Srirangam are the marvels of Vijayanagar architecture.