Snippets of Information
TEMPLES - Chola temples, Thanjavur
* 8 Oct 2021
Gangaikondacholapuram is celebrated in the literature of Muvar ula of Ottakuttar and Kalingattuparani of Jayankondar.
Gangaikondacholisvaram, a Siva temple was built by the Chola king Rajendra I
Source: ariyalur.nic.in
Evidence - Inscriptions in the temple and Copper plates
Rajendra’s Gangetic expedition was over by his 11th regal year
(A.D.1023). The earliest reference which mentions the city of
Gangaikondacholapuram is a record of A. D. 1027 of him. Hence it is
evident that the city was built in memory of his great victory between
A.D. 1023 and 1027. The recently discovered Esalam Copper plates of A.D.
1036 of Rajendra I give concrete evidence that he built the
Gangaikondacholisvarar temple. Another record of A.D. 1068 of
Virarajendra in Gangaikondacholapuram which is the earliest record in
the temple mentions about the grant of villages to the
Gangaikondacholisvarar temple by Rajendra-I in his 24th year (A.D.
1036). These evidences indicate that the siva temple was built between
A.D. 1023 and 1036 although the earliest extant record in this big
temple belongs to A. D. 1068 of Virarajendra.
Source: ariyalur.nic.in
* Jul 2021
The Peruvudaiyar Kovil, also known as Brihadeeswara Temple,
RajaRajeswara Temple and Rajarajeswaram at Thanjavur is part of UNESCO
World Heritage Site and "Great Living Chola Temples".
The vimana (or temple tower) is 216 ft (66 m) high and is among the
tallest of its kind in the world. The Kumbam (Kalasha or Chikharam)
(apex or the bulbous structure on the top) of the temple is carved out
of a single stone and it weighs around 80 tons.
The presiding deity of lingam is 3.7m tall. There is a big statue of
Nandi (sacred bull), carved out of a single rock, at the entrance
measuring about 16 feet long and 13 feet high. The entire temple
structure is made out of granite, the nearest sources of which are close
to Tiruchirappalli, about 60 km to the west of Thanjavur. Built in 1010
AD by Raja Raja Chola I in Thanjavur, Brihadeeswarar Temple, also
popularly known as the ‘Big Temple', turned 1000 years old in 2010.
The esteemed architect and engineer of the temple was Kunjara Mallan
Raja Raja Perunthachan as stated in inscriptions found at the temple.
The temple was built per ancient texts called Vaastu Shastras and
Agamas. He is the ancient ancestor of the doyan of Vaastu Vedic
architecture, the late Dr. V. Ganapti Sthapati of Chennai and
Mahabalipurim (architect of the 133' granite Thiruvalluvar statue at the
tip of south India). Members of his family still live and practice the
ancient art and science. The American University of Mayonic Science and
Technology was initiated by Dr. V. Ganapati Sthapati to perpetuate the
same form of architectural principles used by Kunjara Mallan Raja Raja
Perunthachan to build the Brihadeeswarar temple. The temple was built
using a measure of 1 3/8 inch called an angula (24 units equaling 33
inches called a hasta, muzam, or kishku).
Another widely held belief is that the shadow of the gopuram (pyramidal
tower usually over the gateway of a temple) never falls on the ground.
.[17] 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 66m to the top of the
gopuram. The prevailing belief is that a mud-slope, which starts at
about three miles from the temple site, from Thirukoilore (birthplace of
Raja raja's mother) near Sri Virateshvara swamy temple. Elephants might
have been used to drag the stone up the slope. This was claimed to be
the only part of the gopuram, which does not cast a shadow that fall on
the ground, at least not within the temple premises.
On 26 September 2010 (Big Temple's fifth day of millennium
celebrations), as a recognition of Big Temple's contribution to the
country's cultural, architectural, epigraphical history, a special INR 5
postage stamp featuring the 216-feet tall giant Raja Gopuram was
released by India Post. The Reserve Bank of India commemorated the event
by releasing a INR 5 coin with the model of temple embossed on it.
Govt of India, Mumbai Mint issued Rs. 1000/- coin to commemorate the 1000th year of the temple.
Source: en.wikipedia.org
* Jul 2021
Peria Koil, Thanjavur
The greatest of Chola emperors Rajaraja-I (985 A.D - 1012 A.D) the son
of Sundara Chola (Parantakaa-II) and Vanavanmahadevi built this
magnificent temple named Brihadisvaram at Thanjavur - the capital of
Chola dynasty. From the epigraphical evidence it is known about
Rajaraja-I started building this temple on his 19th year and completed
on 275th day of his 25th year. It took just 6 years to complete this
work on 1010 A.D.
Source: thebigtemple.com
* Jul 2021
Rajarajan Gopuram
This gopuram is built by Rajaraja-I and depicts the mediaeval chola
architecture where the Raja gopuram (the entrance gopuram) diminish in
size and the Karpagraham (the main deity's gopuram) is significant.
Source: thebigtemple.com
* Jul 2021
On either side of this entrance is seen two 15 feet huge monolithic
stone sculpture of the Dwarapala which reveals the Thattva (concept)
that God is Everywhere as shown by the upper two hands and the pose of
right hand index finger denotes that God is one and only one. On keen
notice one can see a Elephant is being swallowed by a crocodile and the
Lion standing behind. This denotes even if one faces such a big problem
of great magnitude, a strong stand (a firm belief in God) similar to
that of a Lion's strong standing posture will lead ways to realize God.
Source: thebigtemple.com
*
Jul 2021
"This is the only temple in the whole of India," says R. Nagaswamy,
former Director, Tamil Nadu Archaeology Department, "wherein the builder
himself has left behind a very large number of inscriptions on the
temple's construction, its various parts, the daily rituals to be
performed for the Linga, the details of the offerings such as jewellery,
flowers and textiles, the special worship to be performed, the
particular days on which they should be performed, the monthly and
annual festivals, and so on."
Raja Raja Chola even appointed an astronomer called ‘Perunkani' for
announcing the dates, based on the planetary movements, for celebrating
the temple's festivals.
Again, this is the only temple in India where the King specifically
mentions in an inscription that he built this all-stone temple called
‘kattrali' (‘kal' meaning stone and ‘tali' a temple). This magnum opus,
running to 107 paragraphs, describes, among others, how Raja Raja Chola,
seated in the royal bathing hall on the eastern side of his palace,
instructed how his order should be inscribed on the base of the vimana,
how he executed the temple's plan, the list of gifts he, his sister
Kundavai, his queens and others gave to the temple.
The inscriptions provide a list of 66 beautiful bronze idols Raja Raja
Chola, Kundavai, his queens and others gifted to the temple. The
inscriptions elaborate on the enormous gold jewellery, inlaid with
precious stones such as diamonds, emeralds, sapphires, rubies, corals,
pearls, for decorating each of these bronzes. Interestingly, the
measurements of all these bronzes — from crown to toe, the number of
arms they had and the symbols they held in their arms — are inscribed.
Today, only two of these bronzes remain in the temple — that of a
dancing Siva and his consort Sivakami. All the jewellery has
disappeared.
Dr. Nagaswamy, who recently authored a book, Brhadisvara Temple, Form
and Meaning, said highly specialised gemmologists classified the gems
according to their quality and weight. Even the lacquer used inside the
beads and the thread employed for stringing them together were recorded.
There were references to white pearls, red pearls, chipped ones, those
with red lines or skin peeled off.
Raja Raja Chola gifted gold vessels to the temple, and their weight,
shape and casting were mentioned in the lithic records. Even a small
spoon, ‘nei muttai,' for scooping out ghee, finds a mention. The
inscriptions throw light on the temple's revenue from various sources,
the mode of payment and the meticulous accounting procedures. "It shows
the care and attention with which the temple property was entered in the
registers and the responsibility fixed for handling them. Raja Raja
Chola had an extraordinary administrative talent, unsurpassed either
before or after him," Dr. Nagaswamy said.
The inscriptions even speak about the temple's cleaners, sweepers,
carriers of flags and parasols, torch-bearers for processions at night
and festivals, cooks, dancers, musicians and singers of Tamil and
Sanskrit verses.
Source: Written in stone - Big Temple's inscriptions reveal a King's passion by T.S. Subramanian, The Hindu, September 24, 2010
* Jul 2021
Great Living Chola Temples
- The Great Living Chola Temples were built by kings of the Chola
Empire, which stretched over all of south India and the neighbouring
islands. The site includes three great 11th- and 12th-century Temples:
the Brihadisvara Temple at Thanjavur, the Brihadisvara Temple at
Gangaikondacholisvaram and the Airavatesvara Temple at Darasuram. The
Temple of Gangaikondacholisvaram, built by Rajendra I, was completed in
1035. Its 53-m vimana (sanctum tower) has recessed corners and a
graceful upward curving movement, contrasting with the straight and
severe tower at Thanjavur. The Airavatesvara temple complex, built by
Rajaraja II, at Darasuram features a 24-m vimana and a stone image of
Shiva. The temples testify to the brilliant achievements of the Chola in
architecture, sculpture, painting and bronze casting....Read more
Source: whc.unesco.org
* Jul 2021
According to Kudavayil Balasubramanian, an epigraphist and temple
expert, there are many unique sculptures in the Airavatesvara temple at
Darasuram. They include a 73 panel of sculptures depicting the life
history of 63 Nayanmars. Other important sculptures of the temple are
the 108 Devara Othuvars, sculptures for river goddesses like Cauvery,
Ganges, Yamuna, Godavari
and Narmada....Read more
Source: Darasuram: architectural marvel from Chola period by G Srinivasan, The Hindu, 20 July 2011
* Jul 2021
Two sculptures found in Darasuram have been brought to the Art gallery
at Thanjavur . One is Gajamharamurthy ( Gaja Samhara) in which Lord Siva
slains the elephant demon and another is Dwarabalaga brought by Raja
Raja I from Kalyan in Maharashtra as a war trophy.
Source: Darasuram: architectural marvel from Chola period by G Srinivasan, The Hindu, 20 July 2011
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