Brihadeesvara Temple, Thanjavur
Explore the 1000-Year-old Chola Edifice - a UNESCO World Heritage Monument
By Friends of Heritage Sites, Tamil Nadu
Prof. V. Selvakumar
The first of the three great Chola temples - in chronology, grandeur and in size, Brihadeesvara temple built by Raja Raja Chola I. Situated in Thanjavur which is on the Southern banks of the Vadavaru River in the south-western part of the Kaveri Delta. This colossal structure lies within the Sivaganga Little Fort -surrounded by moats on three sides and the Grand Anaicut Canal to the south spread over 18 acres, of which the temple covers 2.5 acres.
Tanjore. Great Pagoda, Entrance Looking Outwards (March/April 1858) by Linnaeus TripeThe Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
The imperial Cholas of Thanjavur ruled from 9th to 13th cent. CE - their valour and conquests are legendary. Their influence extending far and wide - up to the R. Ganga in the north, Sri Lanka to the south and the Malayan peninsula and a few Southeast Asian islands to the east.
Brihadeesvara Temple: A view of the LawnsFriends of Heritage Sites, Tamil Nadu
The Cholas were also prolific builders and erected almost 5000 temples in a span of just 400 years across their empire. Their Dravidian style of architecture had its origins in the Pallava tradition, and they went on to build some of the finest temples in South India. This temple was built between 1003 and 1010 CE. The plundered wealth collected from wars with Pandyas, Gangas, Chalukyas, Cheras and Sri Lanka were lavishly spent on this gigantic masterpiece to showcase his power and influence.
Brihadeesvara Temple: A Panoramic view of the Nandi mandapa, Rajarajan and Keralantakan GopuramsFriends of Heritage Sites, Tamil Nadu
As we enter
A panoramic view of the Nandi mandapa, Rajarajan and Keralantakan Tiruvasals(Gopurams) which serve as the gateways into the temple premises.
The simplicity of the outer gopurams is in stark contrast to the grandeur and splendour of the Vimana. The simplicity of the outer gopurams is in stark contrast to the grandeur and splendour of the Vimana. The first gateway as we enter the complex, was built by the Marathas.
Next comes the Keralantakan Tiruvasal from the Chola period, built to commemorate victory over the Cheras.
Brihadeesvara Temple: A view of the Rajarajan GopuramFriends of Heritage Sites, Tamil Nadu
The fort walls are later additions built by the Nayakas, using granite and laterite. The innermost gateway is the Rajarajan Tiruvasal.
Brihadeesvara Temple: Trivikrama in the Rajarajan GopuramFriends of Heritage Sites, Tamil Nadu
Richly carved Gateway
Trivikrama(Vishnu) in the Keralantakan Tiruvasal
Brihadeesvara Temple: A view of the Krishnan Raman Tiruch-chutru-maligai to the southFriends of Heritage Sites, Tamil Nadu
Krishnan Raman Tiruch-chutru-maligai
The temple complex plan is laid out in the ratio of 1:2 - measuring 240m in the east-west and 120m in the north-south direction. It has structures belonging to Chola, Pandya, Nayaka and Maratha periods.
Brihadeesvara Temple: A view as we enterFriends of Heritage Sites, Tamil Nadu
A glorious view
The Nandi Mandapam is the first structure we come across, followed by the Mukha, Maha and Ardha Mandapams.
The Mukhamandapa was built by the Nayakas. The inner mandapas were built during the Chola period, the pillars of which are simple and massive. The Ardha Mandapa leads to the main sanctum that houses probably the largest Siva Linga of that period.
Brihadeesvara Temple: A view of the Chandikeshwara Shrine to the north of the Vimana with Subramanyar Shine in the backgroundFriends of Heritage Sites, Tamil Nadu
A view of the Chandikeshwara Shrine with the Subramanyar Shine in the background.
Brihadeesvara Temple: A Majestic view of the 216ft VimanaFriends of Heritage Sites, Tamil Nadu
A majestic view of the 216 ft Vimana
It is made of solid granite and built using the interlocking technique. The massive sikhara, weighing over 80 tons sits atop the last tier.
The tallest Vimana ever built, it has 13 receding tiers and rises to a height of 60.96 m. The names of the stapathis or architects are found in the inscriptions here - Viracholan Kunjaramallan aka Rajaraja Perunthacchan, Nittavinodha Perunthacchan and Kandaditiya Perunthacchan.
Brihadeesvara Temple: A closer look at the tallest Vimana in Tamil NaduFriends of Heritage Sites, Tamil Nadu
Raja Raja Chola I, built this structure to showcase his power and influence to the world - studding it with amazing sculptures and detailed inscriptions. He named it "Rajarajeswaram" after himself. Built with granitic gneiss that is not locally available, it must have been brought from at least 40 km away!
The parts of the Vimana from bottom to top - Adhishtana, Lower & Upper Bhumis, Talas, Griva, Sikhara and Kalasa have been put together creatively with amazing symmetry and balance.
Brihadeesvara Temple: An internal of the Vimana as viewed from the sanctumFriends of Heritage Sites, Tamil Nadu
Kadalikakarana
An internal view of the Vimana as viewed from the sanctum. The concept of the ground storey having two floors seems to have been inspired by the Chalukyas, prevalent at Vengi. The cellular ambulatory provides solid support to the rising talas of the Vimana and is key to the unique astylar corbel vaulting known as "Kadalikakarana".
Brihadeesvara Temple: A view of the Dance Sculpture panels found in the first tier of the VimanaFriends of Heritage Sites, Tamil Nadu
Dance Sculpture panels
There are 81 of the 108 karanas(basic movements of Bharatanatyam) depicted in great detail in the first tier.
Brihadeesvara Temple: Rajaraja Chola Tamil InscriptionsFriends of Heritage Sites, Tamil Nadu
Tamil Inscriptions in the Adishtana of the Vimana
Rajarajeswaram, as Raja Raja Chola I named his creation, abounds in inscriptions with intricate details of the donations and management of the temple. The complex has 64 of his inscriptions.
Brihadeesvara Temple: Nayak paintings in Amman SubshrineFriends of Heritage Sites, Tamil Nadu
As we circumambulate the complex, we come across these Nayaka Period paintings on the ceiling of the Amman shrine.
The temple is encircled by a double storied cloister Mandapa, with a colonnade of pillars and shrines that enrich the beauty of the structure. As we exit the fort complex, we cannot resist turning back to take a last look at this magnificent edifice of the greatest Chola king who set the foundation for the mighty Chola kingdom that lasted until the 13th cent. CE.
Prof. V. Selvakumar - Images and Text
B. Ramana Kumar - Images
Sharmila Devadoss - Images and Text
Malathy Krishna - Tamil Translation
Sivakumar K - Technical Support
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