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[Full title: (B) The Southern or Dravidian Phase; (iv) The Pandya Phase (c. 1110-1350 A.D.)]

The most conspicuous feature of the Pandya phase was the emergence of the monumental gateway or Gopuram which dwarfed the towered sanctury and became the dominating feature of the temple-complex. The Temples came to be fortified within a series of enclosing walls which were pierced at the four cardinal points with gateways of imposing size and ornamental appearance. The Gopuram were the monumental entrance to the temple. Elementary Elementary prototype of this characteristic architectural feature have been already found at the entrance to the Kailasnatha temple at Conjeevarum and also in the early Chalukyan temple of Virupaksha at Pattadakal; both example illustrate the Gopuram in a very rudimentary stage.44 The Gopuram developed under the Pandya phase was oblong on plan and pyramidal in elevation with a cubical base. The best examples of the Gopurams of this phase are to be found at Srirangam (Trichinopoly Dist.) Chidambaram (South Arcot Dist.), Kumbakonam (Tanjore Dist.) and Tiruvanhamalai (N. Arcot Dist). Of these the eastern gateway at Chidambaram is the most representative. It is a seven storeyed structure and ornamented with architectural decoration consisting nine pillared niches and canopied pavilions. 42. IABH p, pl. LVIII. 43. ABH p. pp. 103-104. 44. IABH pp. 106.