Interesting Facts About the Brihadeeswara Temple of Tanjore

7/22/2019 Interesting Facts About the Brihadeeswara Temple of Tanjore

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Interesting Facts About the Brihadeeswara Temple of Tanjore

A study in Oriental architecture or history is certainly incomplete without a mention of

the Tanjore Brihadeeswara Temple or the Tanjore Periya Kovil (Big Temple). This

imposing structure was built by Raja Raja Cholan and his sister Kundavai, both ardentdevotees of Lord Shiva. It was constructed by the King at the height of the Chola reign to

signify his power and strength. Here are a few facts not known about this Chola temple

of Thanjavur:
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a) The original name of the deity was Rajarajeshwar. It was the Marathas who gave it

the name Brihadeeshwara or the Great Ishwara.

b) The main temple is entirely built of granite. More than 130,000 tons of granite is saidto have been used to build it.

c) A long associated myth with this temple temple is that the shadow of the main

structure does not fall on the ground. However, this has been proven wrong by

scientists.

d) The statue of Nandi at the entrance of the temple is carved out of a single stone.

e) The main Vimanam, which is at about 200 feet is often called Dakshin Meru orSouthern Meru.

f) The inspiration to build the temple came to Raja Raja Cholan during his visit to Sri

Lanka and is a result of a dream he had.

g) The temple has a portrait of Raja Raja Cholan paying obeisance to Lord Natarajar.

This is undoubtedly, the first ever instance of a royal portrait.

h) Inscriptions in the temple point towards Kunjara Mallan Raja Raja Perunthachan asthe chief architect of the temple. His successors survive to this day and practice the art

of Vastu or Vastu Shastra.
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i) Depictions of nartakis or dancers showing eighty one of hundred and eight

karanas (synchronised movements of hands and feet) in Bharata Natyam are carvedhere. These karanas are a part of karanas mentioned in the Natya Shastra of

Bharata Muni or Sage Bharata. There is also evidence that the temple was a

platform for talented dancers to showcase their talent. These depictions are first of

their kind.

j) The inscriptions also mention the different kinds of jewels used in the period.

Each of these jewels are mentioned in detail. A total of twenty three different types

of pearls, eleven varieties of diamonds and rubies are mentioned in these

inscriptions.

What astounds historians is that there was not a single granite quarry in about 100

km radius of the temple. This means that transporting these stones would have

been a herculean task. But Raja Raja Cholan insisted on the use of these stones. All

of these features make this Chola temple of Tanjore, a magnum opus of the Chola

reign.

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tanjore/
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Interesting Facts About the Brihadeeswara Temple of Tanjore