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| Ramanatha Swamy temple Alamy.com |
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| Ramanatha Swamy temple outer prakara. timesnownews.com |
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| Traditional Hindu temple pillar design in.pinterest.com |
Above image: A traditional Hindu temple pillar drawing. Normally in the Dravida style of architecture, to distribute the downward stress on the ceiling caused by thick granite slabs at the upper part of the pillar capital is designed to support roof and in the porch the projected eaves supported by corbels, aremade of rocks to drain out water from the outer walls.
Rows of pillars on both sides with wider shaft and capital are used to provide structural support to roofs in the construction of wide pathways or corridors around the temple. In the case of Mandapam or hall, rows of multiple pillars are used to support the roof Yali and other sculpted images below the projected part from the pillars are simply decorative elements in a Hindu temple.
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| Rameswaram temple, TN franpritchett.com |
Among the many architectural marvels of the temple, the three corridors, especially the second and third that encircle the temple's sanctum or garbhagriha, stand out as the most fascinating and labor-intensive features. These corridors, constructed in the early 18th century, showcase an incredible feat of engineering, considering the logistical challenges of transporting hard rocks to this island from the mainland.
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| Rameswaram temple, TN, pillars with sculptures timesnownews.com |
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| Rameswaram temple TN in 1928.franpritchett.com |
The construction involved setting over 1000 tall pillars in symmetrical rows on both sides with a gap between each pillar. The pillars are placed on a 5-foot platform that runs along both sides of the corridors. Thick dressed rectangular granite slabs, meticulously cut to size, were fixed across these sturdy pillars, roughly 30 feet above the ground and 25 feet above the platform. The ceiling was carefully constructed to ensure water tightness, with slabs placed closely together and lime plastered to prevent leaks during the heavy monsoon season from October to December.
The pillars are designed with thick shafts and wider capitals at the top, providing additional support to the dressed granite slabs forming the corridor roofs. This configuration enhances the structural integrity of the pathways and corridors around the temple.
The temple's architecture also incorporates the corbelling technique, which serves dual purposes. As a decorative element, in many Hindu temples, projections from pillars often feature stone-carved creatures like Yali or statues that appear to support the roof. Structurally, the projections lend additional support to the roof slabs, ensuring the stability of wide pathways or halls (Mandapam) with multiple rows of pillars.
The temple is enclosed by a high compound wall (madil) on all four sides, measuring approximately 865 feet from east to west and 657 feet from north to south. The compound wall features grand towers (Gopurams) to the east and west and finished gate towers to the north and south, adding to the temple's majestic appearance.
The Ramanatha Swamy Temple not only stands as a testament to the architectural prowess of the Sethupathy Dynasty but also remains a significant pilgrimage site, embodying the spiritual and cultural heritage of India.
