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The morphological characteristics of medieval temple towns of Tamilnadu

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  • N Lakshmi Thilagam
  • Uttam Kumar Banerjee

Abstract

Medieval temple towns of Tamilnadu in South India evolved under the predominant influence of religion and bear this symbolic imprint in their urban form. In this study we present the spatial configuration of seven medieval temple towns of Tamilnadu: Madurai, Tiruvannamalai, Chidambaram, Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam, Tirunelvelli, and Tiruchengode. All seven towns selected for this study are glorified Saivite centers bearing individual characteristics of sociospatial formation and yet as a total reflect the significant features of the Hindu urban genotype. We use the space syntax theory that offers a quantitative and comparative approach, to identify temple towns as a unique urban genotype. All seven urban settlements are analyzed separately and compared with each other in order to arrive at the instrumental and symbolic characteristics of their urban space. The main characteristics found in these cities are: a high degree of axiality; more spatial synchrony in a regular settlement pattern; a high level of connectivity with integration cores centered on the temple forming highly intelligible structures. The strong significance of the Hindu urban genotype is established through the rank ordering of urban streets and landmark elements, thus reinforcing the symbolic structuring of the integration core.

Suggested Citation

  • N Lakshmi Thilagam & Uttam Kumar Banerjee, 2016. "The morphological characteristics of medieval temple towns of Tamilnadu," Environment and Planning B, , vol. 43(1), pages 7-33, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:envirb:v:43:y:2016:i:1:p:7-33
    DOI: 10.1177/0265813515603869
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