BRIHADEESWARAR TEMPLE

Thanjavur, TAMIL NADU

SARASIJ MAJUMDER

Temple Architecture s an ancient  Engineering knowledge of  India. And it is discussed in details in BASTU SHASTRA. Indians, -- built many temples with grandeur, style, and aesthetically beautiful in the past. This Science, and Engineering has revived, after remaining dormant during  a period 1200 years of MUSLIM, and BRITISH  rule  and domination.

Some of the ancient temples remained, and got its rightful place in world heritage site.

We will discuss some of them—not covered in our school/ college text books, in this, and separate posts.

Known as the big and magnificent Temple, Brihadeeswarar Temple in Thanjavur,   the capital of Chola dynasty,  is an architectural marvel built by Arulmozhivarman, a Tamil emperor who was popularly known  as  King Raja raja Chola I in the1009 CE.  He was the greatest of Chola emperors. Raja raja-I (985 A.D – 1012 A.D) is the son of Sundara Chola (Parantaka-II) and Vanavan Mahadevi .

 The temple is renowned for its grandeur, intricate carvings, and its massive monolithic dome (Vimana). It is built for worshipping Lord Shiva. It is the best example of Chola architecture.

Many of his achievements are inscribed here, on the wall.

After Rajender Chola returned from his successful voyage to Indonesia, he visited this temple in Thanjavur, and sought blessings.

This temple is also  in the list of  UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The temple stands amidst fortified walls that were probably built around  in the 16th century. The Vimanam (temple tower dome) is 216 ft (66 m) high and is the tallest in the world. It is built with stones that are bonded and notched without any mortar.

The Kumbam (the apex or the bulbous structure on the top), an engineering marvel of the temple is carved out of a single rock and weighs around 80 tons.

The temple's construction is done in such a manner that the tower does not cast a shadow at noon during equinoxes. It’s an engineering marvel that continues to intrigue scientists and devotees.

You’ll be amazed to see the temple’s famous musical pillars which are in the main hall. When struck, these pillars produce musical notes, creating a unique sound.

There is a Nandi Shrine, two continuous extensive Mandapas (worship rooms), an Antarala (antechamber), including  the Vimanam with the high tower, all in line on the east-west axis.

 A symmetrical and axial geometry rules layout of this temple.  On the same axis stand Gopurams (temple gateways) of the early phase at the eastern centre of the cloister and the brick wall. They are the sole entrance spots to the temple precincts.  Though they are embellished with sculptures, they look much lower than later Gopurams . The second Gopuram is  on the line of the cloisters and 24m in both width and height, lower than the first Gopuram, but its sculptures are larger, with a pair of Dwarapalas (guardian figures) on both sides of the doorway.

Wall paintings from the Nayaka period on the rear walls delight the eye of the pilgrims.

It was first among other great building projects by Tamil Chola Dynasty. Temples from same period and two following centuries are expressions of Tamils Chola power, artistic expertise and wealth. Emergence of these types of features, such as multifaceted columns along with projecting signals of square capitals signifies arrival of Chola style, which was new at that time.

The inscriptions and frescoes on the walls of Brihadeeswarar Temple record the rise and fall of the city’s fortunes. Shiva’s representation is as a gigantic stone lingam. This is covered by a Vimanam.

It is one architectural example, which showcases true form of SOUTH INDIAN architecture in temples and is a representative of ideology of Chola Empire and Southern India’s Tamil civilization. Brihadeeswarar Temple “testifies to Chola’s brilliant achievements in architecture, painting, bronze casting and sculpture.”

It is said that after seeing Pallava Rajasimha Temples in Kanchipuram, Emperor Raja raja Chola had the dream of establishing such a huge temple for Lord Shiva.  Brihadeeswarar Temple is first among all buildings, which make use of granite fully. The entire temple structure is made out of granite, the nearest sources of which are about 60 km to the west of temple.

From the Epigraphical evidence it is known about Raja raja-I started building this temple on his 19th year and completed on 275th day of his 25th year. It took just 6 years to complete this work on 1010 A.D.

There is a big statue of Nandi (sacred bull), carved out of a single rock measuring about 16 ft (4.9 m) long and 13 ft (4.0 m) high at the entrance.

The temple is one of the most visited tourist attractions in Tamil Nadu. It is a must visit for people interested in Indian Temple architecture. Climate is always  hot, and humid. Stay close to the temple and visit in the early morning. . Good hotels are available nearby.

I visited this temple in 1976, and got immensely impressed.

 

Source:-

1.0 PERSONAL NOTES TAKEN DURING VISIT.

2.0 SIVA TEMPLES OF SOUTH INDIA—Compiled by R.K.PERIWAL.

3.0 Images:- Google