Architect Shashi on LinkedIn: #thirubuvanam #architectural #feminine #heritage #templearchitecture… (2024)

Vettuvaan Kovil 🛕 , kazhugumalai Hewn from a small hillock, this monolithic shrine likely served as a meditation cave. The artistry in creating such a rock-cut structure demands precision engineering, leaving no room for error. You cannot make any mistakes, at all. Envision the immense concentration required to work in an environment where mistakes are unthinkable. Only profound passion, extraordinary devotion, and decades of practice can transform rock into such exquisite beauty.This is possibly a precursor to the rock cut temple of Ellora and elsewhere.#heritage #templearchitecture #culture #heritagemonuments #heritagestructures #SacredStructures #TempleTreasures#DivineArchitecture #AncientTemples #SpiritualDesigns #HolyHeritage #ArchitecturalWonders#CulturalMonuments #SpiritualMasterpieces #templesofindia #templesofsouthindia #templesoftamilnadu

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Why is it important for the government to hire architects (consultants) before contractors for public projects? 1. Comprehensive Planning: Architects provide a detailed design and planning stage, ensuring that all aspects of the project, from aesthetics to functionality, are considered before construction begins. This helps in identifying potential issues early and creating a clear vision for the project.2. Regulatory Compliance: Architects are knowledgeable about local building codes, zoning laws, and other regulations. Their involvement ensures that the project complies with all legal requirements, avoiding costly delays and fines.3. Optimised Design Solutions: Architects can offer innovative design solutions that optimize space, materials, and energy efficiency, resulting in a more sustainable and cost-effective project in the long run.4. Budget Management: With a clear design and detailed plans, architects can provide accurate cost estimates and help in developing a realistic budget. This reduces the risk of budget overruns and ensures financial planning is aligned with project goals.5. Quality Control: Architects oversee the design implementation to ensure that the construction meets the specified standards and quality. Their involvement helps maintain the integrity of the design throughout the construction process.6. Coordination and Communication: Architects act as a bridge between various stakeholders, including clients, contractors, and engineers. Their role in coordinating and communicating ensures that everyone is aligned and working towards the same goal.7. Customisation and Personalisation: Architects can tailor designs to meet specific needs and preferences of the clients, providing unique and personalized solutions that contractors alone might not be able to achieve.8. Long-Term Vision: Architects consider the long-term impact of their designs, ensuring that the structures are not only functional and beautiful today but also adaptable and durable for future needs.9. Risk Mitigation: Early involvement of architects helps in identifying and mitigating potential risks, such as structural weaknesses or environmental concerns, before construction begins.10. Value Addition: A well-designed project by an architect can add significant value, enhancing the appeal, usability, and market value of the property. By hiring architects first, the government ensures that projects are well-conceived, efficiently planned, and executed to high standards, leading to better outcomes for public infrastructure and heritage conservation.#governmentprojects #architects #consultation

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Abatsahayeswarar Temple 🛕, Thukkachi, Thanjavur The Abatsahayeswarar Temple in Thukkachi, Thanjavur, a magnificent 12th-century Chola masterpiece, once lay in ruins. Through dedicated restoration efforts, it has been lovingly returned to its original glory. This revival is a profound testament to the resilience and indomitable spirit of humanity, showcasing our unwavering commitment to preserving history and beauty. I feel an overwhelming sense of happiness and pride witnessing this remarkable transformation. #HistoricalRestoration #CholaDynasty #CulturalHeritage #HumanSpirit #Resilience #Thanjavur #PrideAndJoy #TimelessBeauty#templesoftamilnadu

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Sarangapani Temple🛕 #Kumbakonam : ‘Khajuraho of south’In the heart of this unassuming small town stands the stupendous Sarangapani Temple, a testament to the enduring faith and #architectural brilliance of the Chola dynasty. This ancient temple, dedicated to Lord Vishnu, is a marvel of Dravidian architecture, adorned with intricate carvings and majestic gopurams that reach towards the heavens.As you step into the Sarangapani Temple, the air is thick with a sense of divinity and history. The walls whisper tales of devotion and grandeur, while the serene atmosphere offers a refuge for the soul.Here stands a magnificent temple tower, arguably the tallest in this temple town, with its eleven-story gopuram rising majestically above a double-height entryway, reaching approximately 45 meters. Each of its eleven levels is intricately adorned with exquisite #sculptures, some of which are explicitly erotic. The Sarangapani Temple, with its breathtaking artistry, can rightly be hailed as the 'Khajuraho of the South.'Eroticism in temple art reflects a nuanced and profound understanding of life, spirituality, and the human experience. The #intricate carvings and sculptures found here, as in many other temples of ancient India, often depict scenes of sensuality and intimacy, serving as a celebration of the divine union and the sanctity of life’s creative forces.These erotic sculptures are not mere embellishments but are deeply symbolic, representing the concept of ‘Mithuna’ - the sacred union of male and female energies, which is central to many Indian spiritual traditions. This union is seen as a metaphor for the merging of the soul with the divine, transcending the physical realm to achieve a higher state of #consciousness and spiritual enlightenment.At the Sarangapani Temple, such artistic expressions are seamlessly woven into the fabric of its grand architecture. They serve as a reminder of the holistic vision of life embraced by the ancients, where spirituality and sensuality were not seen as opposing forces but as complementary aspects of human existence. These depictions encourage devotees to acknowledge and respect the natural desires and rhythms of life, viewing them as integral to the journey towards spiritual fulfillment.The Sarangapani Temple is not just a place of worship; it is a beacon of cultural heritage and a testament to the timeless devotion that continues to flourish in the hearts of its visitors.P.S: You can zoom in on these pictures to appreciate the intricate details of the artistry.#heritage #templearchitecture #culture #heritagemonuments #heritagestructures #SacredStructures #TempleTreasures#DivineArchitecture #AncientTemples #SpiritualDesigns #HolyHeritage #ArchitecturalWonders#CulturalMonuments #SpiritualMasterpieces #templesofindia #templesofsouthindia #templesoftamilnadu

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On my maternal side, our family is a devoted group of temple-goers. My maternal aunt is profoundly ritualistic, and it’s from her that I likely inherited my passion for rituals. The deep devotion stems from my maternal grandmother, whose steadfast solution to any challenge was prayer—a remedy that continues to work wonders even today. During my preteen years, she would hold my hand and lead me through the colonnaded pathways of the temples around Kumbakonam, with the Upiliappan Temple being our most frequented sanctuary. Whenever we sought divine intervention, even for something as minor as a pimple on my temple (pun intended) , we would offer a kilogram of salt (ஒரு படி உப்பு) and peppercorns, neatly wrapped in newspaper and carried in a traditional yellow bag (மஞ்ச பை). We left no waste behind: the newspaper was stacked for visitors to fold the Thiruneeru (திரு நீறு), while the pepper made its way to the temple kitchen to be used in Pongal (பொங்கல்) and Sambar Rice (சாம்பார் சாதம்), served in leaf cups (தொன்னை). We promptly brought the bag back home, now filled with sweet treats from the stalls.I still cherish these moments each time I visit a temple, which is often. My grandmother is no longer with me, and my bag has become a bit more stylish but it remains sustainable. In the images : Oppiliappan Temple 🛕 in #Thirunageswaram.P.S: In this small town, another significant temple complex stands proudly: the Sri Naganatha Svami Temple, which I will be writing about shortly.#templesoftamilnadu

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Kamatchi Amman Temple 🛕, #KanchiSpread across five acres, the master layout plan, to my surprise, is not strictly symmetrical. It is trapezoidal with eccentric entryways. This leads me to ponder whether the concept of symmetry evolved at a later stage.As this documentation series focuses solely on the #art, #architecture, and #sculpture, I do not share images of deities here. (She is googlable though ;)) However, I must mention the serenity exuded by the deity, which reverberates through the sculptures, pillared halls, pond, and the overall energy of the space. The sculptures possess a certain softness, as if all the deities are smiling upon us, creating a soothing atmosphere.#heritage #templearchitecture #culture #templesoftamilnadu

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Exploring the rich history of Kudumiyan Malai in the #Pudukkottai district of T.N, where the Shikanathar Temple stands tall. This architectural marvel showcases a fusion of various Dravidian styles, with rock-cut sections and inscriptions that date back over 2000 years.The temple's unassuming exterior belies the grandeur within, featuring larger-than-life stone sculptures of deities and celestial beings. The carvings, bold and beautiful, narrate animated stories with a unique touch, reflecting a distinct style.Dating back to the late Pandya Era of the 8th & 9th centuries, the temple is a treasure trove of history and cultural heritage. Noteworthy is the temple's intriguing past, with folklore recounting how a revered temple dancer, Umaiyal Nachiyar, saved it from auction in the 13th century.Step into a world where ancient tales come to life, and architectural wonders stand the test of time at Kudumiyan Malai's Shikanathar Temple. #History #Architecture #CulturalHeritage #templesoftamilnadu

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