Brihadeeswara Temple, Tanjavur

[RRavi]

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I am a US resident for a long time and wanted to see some great temples in Tamil Nadu. The visit to the Periya Kovil was a most memorable one. Such grand architecture! The Shivalingam is very grand and when I stood before the Lord, I imagined that more than a thousand years ago, the great Rajaraja Chola used to stand where I was standing and worshipped Lord Shiva. It made the hairs on my body stand in end! People often associate greatness in a king with Ashoka and truly so. But when you read aboutthe history of Rajaraja Cholan, you cannot help but admire his greatness. Ashoka became great after the Kalinga war and conversion to Budhism. But Rajaraja chola was born a great person and king. Imagine a king who is respectful to all scholars, who respected and listened to his elder sister as she brought him up, imagine a king who was a devotee of Lord Shiva, imagine a king who spent all his wealth and power in building great temples and not on ostentatious palaces to house is wives....there are very few kings in this world like that!

While I was searching for a certain sculpture of an very European looking person, complete with a coat and hard hat, I was astounded to find another sculpture of what looked like a small rotund being wearing strange goggles..yes goggles, even the nose bridge connecting the two eye pieces was visible! But these are hard to find as they are a great height in the main gopuram. There was also one of a very modern looking lady! When you think that these sculptures are at least a thousand years old, it is very strange indeed! You have to see them!

 

[Madhanvs]

True. Tanjore temple is a marvel.
But any idea why this temple is not sung by samaya 'NALVARS'?

 

[vgane]

I am a US resident for a long time and wanted to see some great temples in Tamil Nadu. The visit to the Periya Kovil was a most memorable one. Such grand architecture! The Shivalingam is very grand and when I stood before the Lord, I imagined that more than a thousand years ago, the great Rajaraja Chola used to stand where I was standing and worshipped Lord Shiva. It made the hairs on my body stand in end! People often associate greatness in a king with Ashoka and truly so. But when you read aboutthe history of Rajaraja Cholan, you cannot help but admire his greatness. Ashoka became great after the Kalinga war and conversion to Budhism. But Rajaraja chola was born a great person and king. Imagine a king who is respectful to all scholars, who respected and listened to his elder sister as she brought him up, imagine a king who was a devotee of Lord Shiva, imagine a king who spent all his wealth and power in building great temples and not on ostentatious palaces to house is wives....there are very few kings in this world like that!

While I was searching for a certain sculpture of an very European looking person, complete with a coat and hard hat, I was astounded to find another sculpture of what looked like a small rotund being wearing strange goggles..yes goggles, even the nose bridge connecting the two eye pieces was visible! But these are hard to find as they are a great height in the main gopuram. There was also one of a very modern looking lady! When you think that these sculptures are at least a thousand years old, it is very strange indeed! You have to see them!

Dear Sri Ravi,

Have you taken any photographs of these mentioned by you in para 2 which you can share with group?

 

[Mohaar02]

This is a nice point to be researched. I think the time periods needs to be studied. I will try to come up with an answer.

Thanks,
Arun M

 

[tbs]

True. Tanjore temple is a marvel.
But any idea why this temple is not sung by samaya 'NALVARS'?

hi
really ........quite surprise to me....becoz i think all alwars sung abt sri ranganatha of srirangam....

 

[Brahmanyan]

Dear Sri Ravi,

Sri Brahadeeswarar Temple, popularly known as Thanjai Periakoil is an architectural marvel. It has set many records
in Temple architecture in Tamil Nadu. I have seen this wonderful Temple number of times from my school days. Thanks to my relative who was in-charge of this circle under ASI, I have seen the inside architectural details and ancient murals in the mighty Gupuram. ASI has brought out two booklets on this Temple. But one person has done research on this temple and brought out a book containing authentic information. He is Dr. Kudavayil Balasubramanian.

The Hindu has reviewed his book ‘Rajarajechcharam.' and it says:
Dr. Kudavayil Balasubramanian's book on the Big Temple, titled ‘Rajarajechcharam.' The book is the result of his 40-year obsession with the Big Temple. The book records details about the architecture, sculptures, art, inscriptions, history of and philosophy behind the temple.
for the full review please open the following weblink:
The Hindu : Friday Review Chennai / Heritage : Voyage of discovery
I would suggest you to get this book to get interesting details on this Temple.

Regards,
Brahmanyan,
Bangalore.

 

[sarang]

Nalvars are different from alwars!

hi
really ........quite surprise to me....becoz i think all alwars sung abt sri ranganatha of srirangam....

 

[Brahmanyan]

While I was searching for a certain sculpture of an very European looking person, complete with a coat and hard hat, I was astounded to find another sculpture of what looked like a small rotund being wearing strange goggles..yes goggles, even the nose bridge connecting the two eye pieces was visible! But these are hard to find as they are a great height in the main gopuram. There was also one of a very modern looking lady! When you think that these sculptures are at least a thousand years old, it is very strange indeed! You have to see them!

Dear Sri Ravi,

I have also seen the head of an European with hat on the northern side of the Gopuram, but the others I have not observed. I am told this particular sculpture made of lime plaster (suthai) is a latter addition during Nayak period. But I am not sure about the material or the period.

Brahmanyan,
Bangalore.

 

[Madhanvs]

I remember a scene from film Raja Raja cholan. Samaya Nalvars are dead at the King's time and the king takes statues of Naalvars to get some suvadi from Chidambaram. So can confirm Appar, Sundarar, Sambandar and Vaasagar are not alive during Raja Raja's period. But how about other Nayanmars?

List shows the padal petra sthalams:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paadal_Petra_Sthalam

Does Tanjore has some other name like Madurai named like Thiruaalavai, Naanmadak koodal etc.

 

[Iyyarooraan]

I have uploaded a photo of the Kovil in my gallery. It is an architectural marvel. The engineering piece I know of is this. The gopuram's bottom plinth is so big and that the height of the gopuram is so tall that the the shadow of the "vimaanam" does not fall on the ground outside at any time of the day. Again it is different from other temples in the South. Perhaps this does not agree with aaghama shastras. In fact there are numerous other temples in Thanjavur which attract more devotees and pilgrims. While on this I would like to point out the difference between rulers of the north and the south (TN). Most of the rulers in the north had constructed massive Palaces of varied descriptions, the Cholas or the other two had only constructed abodes of God.

 

[tbs]

I have uploaded a photo of the Kovil in my gallery. It is an architectural marvel. The engineering piece I know of is this. The gopuram's bottom plinth is so big and that the height of the gopuram is so tall that the the shadow of the "vimaanam" does not fall on the ground outside at any time of the day. Again it is different from other temples in the South. Perhaps this does not agree with aaghama shastras. In fact there are numerous other temples in Thanjavur which attract more devotees and pilgrims. While on this I would like to point out the difference between rulers of the north and the south (TN). Most of the rulers in the north had constructed massive Palaces of varied descriptions, the Cholas or the other two had only constructed abodes of God.

hi
just like to add..some more things abt north and south temples....many north temples destroyed many times by the many foreign

invaders...especially muslim rulers....same many south temples destroyed by the jains......i heard that many jaina/baudha

viharasa became shiva temples during chola rulers....they just put SHIVA LINGAS in the viharas...easy for pranaprathishta.....

many rocks are available for shiva lingas....

 

[sarang]

I believe it is not true. There is no record of willful destruction of temples of any faith - hindu, jain, budhdhist or viharas by any king or subjects. It is possible that vuharas became temples after they were abandoned. Despite so claimed saiva-vaishnavite, vadakalai-thenkalai differences, temples managed by each sect was and is thriving. In fact every village had a siva temple and a vishnu temple. Baranidaran has published a multivolume book on thajai temples; every village had/has siva and vishnu temples.

Multifaith temples is a modern phenomenon. I believe many bankrupt churches have been bought and converted to hindu temples in UK (Birmingham), USA and Russia. Such conversion is welcome as it provides continuity and a smooth transition; except to the very few devout followers of the old institution, who are powerless to stop the change.

Recently, in the tanjore-chidambaram belt, a temple was found in a dilapidated condition and a reconstruction was initiated by devouts. They found that portions of the temple (granite pillars, ledges etc.) were used in a mosque (old, and unused now) nearby. When the news leaked out, some local muslims took up renovation of the mosque too and were keen to put it to regular use. Everything resolved to mutual satisfaction.

hi
just like to add..some more things abt north and south temples....many north temples destroyed many times by the many foreign

invaders...especially muslim rulers....same many south temples destroyed by the jains......i heard that many jaina/baudha

viharasa became shiva temples during chola rulers....they just put SHIVA LINGAS in the viharas...easy for pranaprathishta.....

many rocks are available for shiva lingas....

 

[Iyyarooraan]

[FONT=&quot]Many Hindu temples were destroyed more by Jains than by others. Conversion was jainism’s forte and one of the Naalvars was a victim too. No other religion has suffered so much as Sanatana Dharma (which is conveniently and subsequently christened as Hinduism) or Dharma of free will. It has no ESTABLISHED credentials to enclose and enfold others and hence (?) India has become a playground for others. But in spite of many onslaughts this Sanatana Dharma will proceed and will be tolerant to other ideas.[/FONT]

 

[kunjuppu]

Dear Sri Ravi,

Sri Brahadeeswarar Temple, popularly known as Thanjai Periakoil is an architectural marvel. It has set many records
in Temple architecture in Tamil Nadu. I have seen this wonderful Temple number of times from my school days. Thanks to my relative who was in-charge of this circle under ASI, I have seen the inside architectural details and ancient murals in the mighty Gupuram. ASI has brought out two booklets on this Temple. But one person has done research on this temple and brought out a book containing authentic information. He is Dr. Kudavayil Balasubramanian.

The Hindu has reviewed his book ‘Rajarajechcharam.' and it says:
Dr. Kudavayil Balasubramanian's book on the Big Temple, titled ‘Rajarajechcharam.' The book is the result of his 40-year obsession with the Big Temple. The book records details about the architecture, sculptures, art, inscriptions, history of and philosophy behind the temple.
for the full review please open the following weblink:
The Hindu : Friday Review Chennai / Heritage : Voyage of discovery
I would suggest you to get this book to get interesting details on this Temple.

Regards,
Brahmanyan,
Bangalore.

Dear Brahmanyan,

Thank you so much for the valuable information. I just phoned Kudavayil Balasubramanian re availability of his book Rajarajechcharam. It is currently out of print, but should be available in a month or so.

I shall be on the lookout

 

[vgane]

A panoramic shot that won Wiki India contest by Mugilkv

http://www.thehindu.com/news/nation...ndia-contest/article5387448.ece?homepage=true

 

[Ramacchandran]

Please down load the attached PDF.

Then visit the following websites

Lakkundi - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

https://www.google.co.in/search?q=l...w&sqi=2&ved=0CCoQsAQ&biw=1517&bih=692&dpr=0.9

This fig shows similarity of Tanjoe temple and Lakkundi Brahma Jainalaya Temple

Rajaraja I constructed the Big temple after seeing the Jaina Temple.

Rocks were lifted from Gokarna, Karnataka. The Granite/ rock is brick red/ Copper. I brought a stone from Gokarna, and discussed with ASI officials and Mrs.Sathyabama, approved and asked me to send the sample stone for reseach.

 

[prasad1]

Dear Brahmanyan,

Thank you so much for the valuable information. I just phoned Kudavayil Balasubramanian re availability of his book Rajarajechcharam. It is currently out of print, but should be available in a month or so.

I shall be on the lookout

Mr. K,
You may try this location
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/offer-li...ed/277-2024672-2815565?ie=UTF8&condition=used

 

[prasad1]

Dr. Michell authored a book on the Thanjavur icon.

Michell chose to delve deep. In stead of taking up the oldest, Michell decided to work backwards and discovered interesting movements of architectural styles from Tamil Nadu back to Hampi during the Vijayanagar times and then those styles coming back south after the Vijayanagar kingdom collapsed in 1565 and the local Nayaks in Tamil Nadu asserted their powers.

An interesting observation was the obvious disproportion between the images within the koshtas or alcoves in the outside wall of the temple and the images, many being larger than the alcove. It appears that the sculptor was not always in synchronisation with the architect of the alcoves and made the sculptures much too big for the alcoves.

So there is intermingling of styles in Temple architecture in the south India, it does not point to destruction of Temple of one faith by another.

“The Great Temple at Thanjavur – One Thousand Years, 1010-2010” George Michell & Indira Viswanathan Peterson

Sarfoji, a local Maratha ruler, rebuilt the Ganapati shrine. The celebrated Thanjavur School of paintings of the Nayakas is largely superimposed over the Chola murals. The temple is rich in iconography as well as inscriptions which provide an account of events showing achievements, financial arrangements, donations and bearing an impression of contemporary society.

A British officer in 19th century considered this temple as the best source for stones for the construction of a weir across the river Kollidam and therefore ordered its demolition. But the temple was not demolished due to protest by the locals.

 

[kunjuppu]

Mr. K,
You may try this location
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/offer-li...ed/277-2024672-2815565?ie=UTF8&condition=used

thank you prasad. there is a new edition coming out this month. let me check on that first. otherwise i will avail of this. thanks again.