In the history of Tamil temple architecture, the structural style known as ‘Thoonganai Maadam’ (Resting Elephant Shape Temple) holds a distinct and unique place. Temples featuring this design are also referred to as ‘Aalakkoyil.’ However, some mistakenly interpret the term ‘Aalakkoyil’ to mean a temple situated under a banyan tree or one built using banyan wood.
In reality, this is a technical architectural term denoting the specific shape of the temple’s Vimana (tower above the sanctum). The Shilpa Shastras and Sanskrit texts refer to this structural style as ‘Gajaprishtam’ or ‘Hasthiprishtam.’ Both ‘Gajam’ and ‘Hasthi’ translate to ‘elephant.’ Therefore, temples with a curved roof structure on their vimana that resembles the back of a resting elephant (Thoonganai) are called ‘Aanai Koyilgal’ or ‘Aalakkoyilgal.’ It can also be interpreted as a temple built elevated above the level of an elephant’s back.
In Tamil Nadu, temples featuring these elephant-shaped vimanas can be found in Thirukachur, Thiruvottriyur, Vada Thirumullaivoyal, Thiruverkadu, Thirukazhukundram, Thiruvanaikka, and the Vadamalleeswarar Temple in Oragadam (Chengalpattu district).
Furthermore, the noted architectural researcher Mayilai Seeni. Venkatasamy has pointed out that the Sahadeva Ratha—one of the Pancha Pandava Rathas in Mamallapuram—also belongs to the ‘Aanai Koyil’ category due to its elephant-back shape. Outside of Tamil Nadu, the Kapotheeswarar Temple in Chejerla, Andhra Pradesh, stands as an excellent example of this architectural style.
Author: Dr. P. SathyaDr. P. Sathya is a researcher and the original author of Gajaprishta Vimana Temples Of Thondai Mandalam. Her work thoroughly documents the unique apsidal (elephant-backed) Dravidian temple architecture native to the Thondai Mandalam region, preserving its historical, cultural, and structural legacy. Translator: Ar. Vidhya Lakshmi Rajasekar
Ar. Vidhya Lakshmi Rajasekar founder of Thali Cultural Centre – TCC, is an architect in profession, Associate Professor and the translator of the book. Drawing on her technical expertise in the built environment and vernacular heritage, she bridges the gap between historical Tamil architectural terminology and modern readership, ensuring the spatial and cultural essence of the Gajaprishta structures is accurately conveyed.