| Sri Brihadishwara Temple Thanjavur |
| A brilliant example of the major heights achieved by Cholas in temple architecture is Brihadishwara Temple also known as Rajarajeswaram, at Thanjavur. Brihadishwara Temple remains as one of the greatest glories of Indian architecture. |
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| Brihadishwara temple is one of India's most prized architectural sites. The temple stands amidst fortified walls that were probably added in the 16th century. The tower is 14 storeys high and rises to 216 ft above the ground making the Brahadeeswarar temple the tallest temple in South India. The Kalash or 'Shikhara' (bulbous structure on the top) of the temple is itself very large and heavy (81.25 tons). A big statue of Nandi (sacred bull), at the entrance measuring about 16 feet long and 13 feet high is carved out of a single rock. The entire temple structure is made out of hard granite stones - hardly available in Thanjavur area where the temple is located. |
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| This temple is a finest contribution to Dravidan temple architecture during the greatest Chola emperor - Raja Raja Chola dynasty and the later modifications by the Chalukyan and Pallavas. The temple is an example of the architectural conception of the pure form of the Dravida type of temple architecture and representative of the Chola Empire ideology and the Tamil civilisation in Southern India. The temples "testify to the brilliant achievements of the Chola in architecture, sculpture, painting and bronze casting". |
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| On the banks of a river the temple complex is located. Made up of many structures that are aligned axially in the temple is very good sight seeing. The temple complex can be entered either of the ways, on one axis through a five-story gopuram and another with a second access directly to the huge main quadrangle through a smaller free-standing gopuram. The massive size of the main sikhara although it is hollow on the inside, with 16 severely articulated stories, and dominates the main quadrangle is 63 meters in height. Rhythmically covering every surface of the shikhara pilaster, piers, and attached columns are placed beautifully. |
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| In the center of the spacious quadrangle composed of a sanctuary, a Nandi, a pillared hall and an assembly hall (mandapas), and many sub-shrines are present in the premises of the main temple. The inner mandapa is the most important part of the temple surrounded by massive walls that are divided into different levels by sharply cut sculptures and pilasters providing deep bays and recesses. A Sanskrit word, garbhagriha means the interior of the sanctum sanctorum, is the inner most sanctums. An image of the primary deity, Shiva, resides in the temple is the main focus of the temple. Only priests are allowed to enter garbha griha inner most chamber. Highly decorated entrance and the inside chamber housing the image of the god is the sanctum sanctorum, the garbhagriha. |
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| Two walled enclosures surrounding the main temple. Defining the temple complex area the outer wall is high. The massive gopuram or gateway is one of the masterpieces of architecture during the period of Cholas. A barrel vaulted gorpuram with over 400 pillars, is enclosed by a high wall interspersed with huge gopurams axially lined up to the main temple. Brahadeeswar temple is one of the rare temples which is having statues for "astadiggpalakas", Lords for the eight Direction are Indra, Varuna, Agni, Eesana, Vayu, Niruthi, Yama, Kubera. |
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| To get there |
| From Tiruchi, Thanjavur can be reached by road, train or air. Tiruchi, Kumbakonam, Chennai, Karur, Pudukkottai, Nagapattinam, Coimbatore etc. from the places where frequent public buses to Thanjavur are operated. Thanjavur also has a railway junction, trains from Chennai, Tiruchi, Madurai and Nagore have halts in the station. Tiruchi located at a distance of about 65 km is the nearest airport Thanjavur. |
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