Under the patronage of the Chola rulers, hundreds of temples were built in South India. It was the continuation of the Pallava architecture with some variations. This is what came to be known as Dravidian style of temple architecture.

Features of Dravidian style of architecture:

• Main feature of this style was the building of storey upon storey above the chief deity room (garbagriha).
• The number of storeys varied from five to seven and they had a typical style called vimana.
• A pillared hall called mandap with carved pillars and flat roof was placed in front of sanctrum. It acted as audience hall and ceremonial dances.
• The entire structure was enclosed in a courtyard surrounded by highwalls pierced by lofty gates called gopurams.

Cultural life of Cholas in recent times:

• With course of time the vimanas rose higher and higher, the courtyards increased to two or three, the gopurams became more and more elaborate.
• The temple became a miniature city or palace, living rooms for priests were provided in it.
• The temples enjoyed revenue free grantsof lands and their expenses. Also received donations and grants from healthy merchants
• The temples entered in business, lent money and took part in business enterprises.

Examples of Dravidian art and culture:

• Kailashanatha at Kanchipuram.
• Brihadeshwars temple at Tanjore
• Shiva temple at Gangaikondacholapuram
• The early chola temples were found at  Narthamalai and Kodumbalur in Pudukottai district and at Shrinivasanallur in Tiruchirappalli district.
• The later Chola temples are Airavateshvara temple at Darasuram in Tanjore and Kampaharesvara temple at Tribhuvanam