THE HIDDEN TEMPLE SERIES 1: TANJORE BRIHADEESWARAR TEMPLE, TANJORE, TAMIL NADU

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  (14^th Century) and followed by the Vinayaka shrine renovated by Maratha rulers later part of 17^th 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 1000^th 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.