This temple is famous for its architectural design and history. It is one of the largest Shiva Lingas in India as well as the location that commissioned the brass statue of Nataraja – Shiva the Lord of dance, in the 1010 AD.
Brihadeeswarar temple along with Airavatesvara temple and Gangaikonda Cholapuram is known as the Great Living Chola Temple which is a part of the UNESCO world heritage site. Brihadeeswarar temple is the first complete granite temple in the world. The main temple is entirely built from approximately 130,000 tons of granite rocks.
Thanjavur, is a center for architecture art and religious place in South India. Till date it’s the tallest temple.
The structure shows wealth, artistic and expertise, power of the Chola kingdoms. The temple is dedicated to lord Shiva and completed in the year 1010 as this says it is more than 1000 years old. The structure is an example of Dravidian architecture and expresses the ideology of Tamil civilization and Chola empire. There are inscriptions on the third entrance of the temple that reiterate the work of Chola Kings and architecture in Old Tamil scripts. There are 108 small Lingums inside the temple. The tallest one being 3.7 m in height.
Construction of vimana, Nandi( Sacred bull) and ever lasting painting inside the temple:
The temple survived 6 major earthquakes, all weather conditions and invasions of various kingdoms.
The temple has several musical pillars that make different sounds when tapped.
The temple has the world’s tallest Vimanam (temple tower) and its Kumbam (the structure on the top) weighs approximately 80 tons.
How was this possible even in those ancient times?
It is said that reciting Vedic Mantra could levitate 80 ton stone for placing it at top of Brihadeeswarar Temple or Periya Kovil, an easy task for Vedic sages. There were many mantras that were recited by Hindu Sages to get impossible tasks done while penancing and remembering Bhagwan Shiva. It might sound miracle for all of us so called modern but materialistic beings; it was never a secret for ancient Hindus
During morning or evening when the Sun is out the shadow can be seen falling on the ground. It is only during noon that the shadow of Gopuram will not fall on ground but on itself. The main reason is the basement of structure which is big enough to absorb the shadow of the Gopuram on its base itself.
The temple has a huge statue of Nandi (sacred bull) at the entrance. The statue is carved out of a single rock and weighs around 20 tons. The Lingam inside the temple is 3.7 meters tall.
Cutting and carvings of granite stones:
It is said that a series of holes were created. The holes were superficial and deeper depending on that water is poured into the holes where the rock would break within a hour.
Chola frescoes adorn the wall of the temple and these frescoes depict Shiva in different poses.
Various depictions of dancers showing movements of hand and feet in Bharata Natyam (eighty-one of hundred and one karanas) are carved in the temple. There is also some evidence that this Hindu temple was a platform for talented dancers around India to showcase their talent. These carvings are first of their kind.
Thanjavur Paintings Everlasting Beauty:
The everlasting beauty of Thanjavur paintings lies in the herbs. Hindu Sages used natural elements for designing Vedic symbols which acted as gateways of communication. These symbols were purposely painted using solution made up of natural elements like flower petals, colorful leaves, haldi (turmeric), treated muds, crushed salts, neem, pressed herbs, etc.
The lasting of such Vedic designs have ensured the same method of Hindu Sadhus that were originally replicated by Hindu Painters, who used their ancient knowledge to paint everlasting beautiful paintings.
Secret passages of the Temple:
Secret passages were built by Raja Raja Chola in his period .The passages were unique, in the form of underground passage.
It is found that the passage connects all the temples made by the king. Secret passages were build in a such a way that it connects the places of Chola Kings together like the one that connects the palace of Raja Raja Chola and the Tanjore big temple.
Written By - Pratthiksha Shree A
Edited By - Tushna Choksey
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