The temple is also known as Thanjavur
Periya Kovil is located at Thanjavur in
the state of Tamil Nadu, India. This temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord
Shiva. This is one of the largest temples in India..
The temple was constructed during
the reign of Emperor Arulmozhi Varman, (who was also popularly known as Rajaraja
Chola I) and was completed in 1010 CE.
The Brihadeeswarar Temple was
built to grace the throne of the Chola empire. The scale and grandeur is in the
Chola tradition. An axial and symmetrical geometry rules the temple layout.
Temples from this period and the following two centuries are an expression of
the Tamils (Chola) wealth, power and artistic expertise. The emergence of multifaceted
columns with projecting square capitals depicts a more contemporary Chola architecture.
The Brihadeeswarar Temple was
built to be the royal temple to display the emperor's vision of his power and
his relationship to the universal order.
The architect and engineer of the
temple was Kunjara Mallan Raja Raja Perunthachan as stated in inscriptions
found at the temple. The temple was built as per ancient building and
architecture texts called Vaastu Shastras and the Agamas. The temple was built using a
measure of 1 3/8-inch called an angula (24 units equalling 33 inches called a
hasta, muzam, or kishku).
This temple is the first building
fully built by granite and finished within 5yrs (1004AD – 1009AD). The solid
base of the temple raises about 5 metres (16 feet), above which stone deities
and representatives of Shiva dance. The huge “Kalasam” or “Vimanam” (top
portion of the shrine) is believed to weigh 81.28 tonnes of single stone block
and was raised to its present height by dragging on an inclined plane of 6.44
km. The big Nandi (bull), weighing about 20 tonnes is made of a single stone
and is about 2 meters in height, 6 meters in length and 2.5 meters in width.
The presiding deity of lingam is 3.7meters tall. The “Prakaram” (outer
precincts of the temple) measures 240meters by 125meters. The outer wall of the
upper storey is carved with 81 dance “Karanas” – postures of Bharathanatyam (South
Indian classical dance).
An interesting characteristic of
this temple is that the shadow of the “Gopuram” (pyramidal tower) never falls
on the ground. The temple is said to be made up of about 130,000 tons of
granite. The Kumbam itself, a 60 ton granite stone carved in one piece, on top
of the main gopuram is believed to have been taken to the top by creating an
inclined slope to the height of 66 meters to the top of the “Gopuram”.
The shrine of Goddess was added
by Pandyas (the presiding rulers after the decline of Chola Kingdom) during the
13th century. Subramanya Shrine was later consecrated by the Vijayanagara
rulers (14th Century) and followed
by the Vinayaka shrine renovated by Maratha rulers later part of 17th
century.
Today this temple is designated
as a world heritage site by UNESCO as the “Great Living Chola Temples.” In the year 2010 the temple celebrated its
1000th year anniversary.
Next time in South India (Tamil
Nadu) don’t forget to visit this temple if not for its spiritual significance,
definitely for its architectural marvel.
