BRIHADESHWARAR TEMPLE :
Peruvudaiyar Kovil" (locally known as "Thanjai Periya Kovil") is a hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Thanjavur in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is also known as Brihadeshwara Temple.It is one of the largest temples in India and is an example of tamil architecture during the Chola period .Built by Raja Raja Chola I and completed in 1010 CE, the temple turned 1000 years old . The temple is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the "Great Living Chola Temples", with the other two being the Brihadeeswarar Temple, Gangaikonda Cholapuram and Airavatesvara temple.
The temple stands amidst fortified walls that were probably added in the 16th century. The vimanam (temple tower) is 198 ft (60 m) high and is one of the tallest in the world. The Kumbam (the apex or the bulbous structure on the top) weighs around 80 tons. There is a big statue of Nandi (sacred bull), carved out of a single rock measuring about 16 ft (4.9 m) long and 13 ft (4.0 m) high at the entrance.The entire temple structure is made out of granite. The temple is one of the most visited tourist attractions in Tamil Nadu.
PADMAPRIYA I
Architecture:
ReplyDeleteStatue of Rajaraja Chola Chola I who consecrated the temple
The architect and engineer of the temple was Kunjara Mallan Raja Raja Rama Perunthachan as stated in inscriptions found at the temple. The solid base of the temple raises about 5 metres (16 feet), above which stone deities and representatives of Shiva dance. The big Nandi (bull), weighing about 20 tonnes is made of a single stone and is about 2 m in height, 6 m in length and 2.5 m in width. The presiding deity of lingam is 3.7m tall. The prakaram (outer precincts of the temple) measures 240m by 125m. The outer wall of the upper storey is carved with 108 dance karanas – postures of Bharathanatyam, the classical dance of Tamil Nadu. The shrine of Goddess was added by Pandyas during the 13th century, Subramanya Shrine by Vijayanagara rulers and the Vinayaka shrine was renovated by Maratha rulers. There were significant additions from the Thanjavur Nayaks.
N.Savitha
HISTORY:
ReplyDeleteArulmozhivarman, a Tamil emperor who was popular as Rajaraja Chola I laid out foundations of Brihadeeswarar Temple during 1002 CE. It was first among other great building projects by Tamil Chola. Mainpurpose of buiding this temple was to grace throne of Chola Empire with compliance of one command Rajaraja Chola I receive in a dream.Grandeur and scale is in Chola tradition. a symmetrical and axial geometry rules layout of this temple. Temples from same period and two following centuries are exoressions of Tamils Chola power, artistic expertise and wealth. Emergence of these types of features, such as multifaceted columns along the projecting signals of square capitals along with projecting signals of square capitals signifies arrival of Chola style, which was new at that time. Brihadeeswarar temple's build was one yoyal temple for displaying emperror's vision for relationship and power to universal order. This temple was on ]e site of primary royal ceremonies,such as anointing emperor and to link emperor with Shiva,its deity and deity's daily rituals was mirror of those by king. It is one architectural exemplar, which showcases true from the Dravida kind of architecure in temples and is a representative of ideology of Chola Empire and Southern India's Tamil Civilization. Brihadeeswarar Temple "testifies to Chola's brilliant achievements in architecture, painting, bronze casting and sculpture."
A wish for establishing such a huge temple as per saying of people occurred to then King Raja Raja, who was staying as one emperor in Sri Lanka. Brihadeeswar temple is frist among all buildings, which make use of granite fully and it finished within five years from 1004 AD to 1009 AD.
J N Chandra Kala.
Peruvudaiyar Kovil finds mention in many of the contemporary works of the period like Muvar Ula and Kalingathuparani. The temple believed to have emerged as a centre of social, economical and political activities. Cultural activities like music, dance and art in the form of bronzes were encouraged and staged in the temple.
ReplyDeleteExperts believe that the Dravidian architecture attained its supreme form of expression in the temple and it successor, the Brihadeeswarar Temple, Gangaikondacholapuram.The temple is declared as a heritage monument and administered by the Archaeological Survey of India as a protected monument. The temple is one of the most visited tourist attractions in Tamil Nadu. The temple is declared a CE UNESCO World Heritage Site, along with the Brihadeeswara Temple at Gangaikondacholapuram and Airavatesvara temple at Darasuram that are referred as the Great Living Chola Temples.The temple was added to the list of Great Living Chola Temples in the year 2004. All of the three temples were built by the Cholas between the 10th and 12th centuries CE and have a lot of similarities. The temples are classified as "Great Living Chola temples" as the temples are alive in cultural aspects and worship practises in modern times.-deepa