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
Highly informative. South of India is fortunate that foreign muslim invasion did not largely happen there.
ReplyDeleteYES. Most of their temples are intact.
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