Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge Vol 20(1), January 2021, pp 298-305 Climate responsive design principles in Dravidian temples: A case study of Nellaiyappar temple S Pongomathi*,†,a, R Shanthi Priyab,‡ & M Nallammal Sobanaa,$ aSchool of Architecture, Kalasalingam Academy of Research and Education, Anand Nagar, Krishnankoil 626 126, Tamil Nadu, India bDepartment of Architecture and Interior Design, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Potheri, SRM nagar, Kattankulathur, Chennai 603 203, Tamil Nadu, India E-mail: †[email protected]; ‡[email protected]; [email protected] Fig. S1 — (a-b) The Nellaiyappar temple teppakulam (Source: Author) Fig. S2 — The Pradakshina path inside Nellaiyappar temple (Source: Author) ii INDIAN J TRADIT KNOW, JANUARY 2021 Fig. S3 — The images showcasing the corridor spacing along the pradakshinapath and a view from the dancing hall (Source: Author) Fig. S4 — The Tunneling effect (Source: Author) Fig. S5 — The plan showing the light wells inside Nellaiyappar temple (Source: Author) PONGOMATHI et al.: CLIMATE RESPONSIVE DESIGN OF NELLAIYAPPAR TEMPLE iii Fig. S6 — Light Wells in the roof shaft (Source: Author) Table S 1 — Transition of worshipping spaces across the timeline Plan/ Elevation/ Section Climatic Design Strategies Aryan village-Vedic period 6th century B.C The huts were constructed with the ancient materials available within the premises of the Huts with barrel-vaulted roofs. Villages context. These sustainable materials were used for the construction of various typologies of huts in different climatic zones in Aryan civilization were protected by a timber fence with an Materials – Bamboo and wooden construction. entrancegateway1 Structure of stupas evolved from the Buddhist philosophy, but the elements in it were adopted from timber fence of Aryan village1. Stone Vedika resembles the timber fence of Aryan village, whereas the Torana resembles entrance gateway of Vedicage1 Evolution of Buddhist Chaitya halls from Aryan huts 3rd century B.C This chaitya hall was a cave structure which had no openings except the main entrance In Buddhist architecture, the chaitya and a sun window, with a horse-shaped archway. It received light only from the entrance halls resemble the huts of Aryan and filtered light through the colonnade around the hall. The stupa was located in alignment with the entrance archway. The stupa received light village. 1 Chaitya halls had an apsidal end with only during certain times of the day from the entrance and the Sun window stupas at the end1,3 Hindu temple with Single Cella 5thcentury A.D The inner garbhagriha was meantto be dark, which was enclosed by thick massive Early stages of Hindu temples had one walls.This represents a cave with the super structureresembling the mountain. small statue to house the image of the 1,4 God/Goddess. The addition of mandapas were done to the inner sanctum in later evolutions Other rituals were done in the open air. Mostly they were carved out of the caves (Udayagiri, Tigawa, Sanchi)1,5 Evolution of Hindu templefrom Village Assemblyhall 5thcenturyA.D The temple was surrounded by a pradakshina path, which was enclosed using a wall. For lighting ventilation purposes, it was provided with jalli works around the path. Temples were built with the concept of "House of God." They adopted the form The entire structure was a prototype of a village assembly hall that was made of stone of the village assembly hall. walls and a slanting roof, which allows rainwater to drainoff1,5. Ex: Lad khan temple, Aihole1 (Contd.) iv INDIAN J TRADIT KNOW, JANUARY 2021 Table S 1 — Transition of worshipping spaces across the timeline (Contd) Plan/ Elevation/ Section Climatic Design Strategies Evolution of Hindu temple from Chaitya halls 6th century A.D Location –Aihole in Karnataka Durga temple planning was adopted Form –oblong and apsidal form imitates earliest Buddhist Chaitya halls from Buddhist Chaitya Halls. In place of Stupas, garbhagriha was placed at Climate- Tropical Climate the end with pradakshina paths Solar Passive Design Features- surrounding it. Later, the Sikara was The Durga temple stands on a high pedestal, which was surrounded by semi-open added at the top of the apsidalend1. colonnaded corridors running around the temple, thus providing lighting and ventilation, and the raised veranda enveloping the shrine acts as a thermal barrier1,4. Evolution of Dravidian temple layouts and Vimana 5th century A.D In consideration of the local climate, the garbhagriha was moved to the center of the Garbhagriha was relocated and formed temple with the pradakshina path surrounding it. as the core of the composition with The garbhagriha was buffered by corridors on all the sides to protect from the harsh solar peak- Shana path surrounding it. radiation4. The curved form of Shikara takes a stepped pyramid form with a domical structure at the apex,known as Vimana or Gopuram in South India1. Table S 2 — Temple-Architecture across dynasties Dynasty Pallava dynasty 600-900 AD Temple Form - The entire Dravida style is based on the symbolic scheme of the rock-cut models (monolithic structures) of the rathas (chariot shaped temples), and it resembles Buddhist vihara2,5 Climate – warm and Humid Solar Passive Design Elements- not considered Chola Dynasty 900 -1150 AD Temple Form- The linear planof the Brihadeshwara temple that stands in the middle of a large rectangular walled courtyard. Climate – Hot and humid Climate Solar Passive Design Elements- Gardens (Nandavanam), courtyards, Mandapams, Pradakshina path surrounding the main shrine. Materials – Locally available Granite Stone3,8 Pandya Dynasty 1100 -1350 AD Location – southern bank of river vaigai, Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple- The great Meenakshi Amman Temple of Madurai, was thus designed with a series of concentric courtyards contained within a rectangle of High Walls resembled like Madurai City Planning2,8. Climate – Hot and Humid Climate2 Solar Passive Design Elements- clear stories and skylights bring reflected light and spread across space, Courtyards and pond enhances natural ventilation inside the temple using Evaporative cooling techniques Materials- Locally available Polished Black Granite was used for construction because of its strength and durability. Vijayanagara Dynasty 1350 – 1600 AD Location – Hampi on the banks of the Tungabhadra river. Temple complex is rectangular and designed with the principle of Fractal Geometry, which has repeated patterns. Climate – Hot and humid3 Solar Passive Design Elements- Huge walls shades Pradakshina path, high ceiling, and openings near the roof enhances stalk ventilation. Landscaped and shaded courtyards act as a heat sink. Mandapams (semi-open pavilions) enhances cross ventilation and covered corridors surrounding the sanctum acts as a thermal regulator2,8. Materials- locally available Granite and Brick .