By Prof. A.V. Narasimha Murhy
Exactly a thousand years ago in 1010 AD, there arose a temple with a lofty tower (sikhara) trying to touch the sky in Thanjavur (Tanjore). The creator of this marvel was Rajaraja the Great, the most illustrious ruler of the Chola dynasty.
In his rule of 31 years (985-1016 AD), he made the Cholas a power to reckon with, not only in South India but also in far off South East Asia and Sri Lanka. With the help of his navy, he conquered Maladives and other islands. The Cholas had occupied parts of Kolar, Bangalore, Mysore and Chamarajanagar districts for about a century and built many temples in these places.
Even today villagers refer to them as Chola pratishte (consecrated by Cholas). But ultimately Hoysala king Vishnuvardhana fought against the Cholas and drove them out of Karnataka permanently.
At one time, the whole of South India came under the rule of Rajaraja. A rare honour indeed! Naturally he thought of building a temple which could surpass all the constructions so far undertaken in South India, in keeping with his power and might. Thus he built a massive temple for his god Siva. This is the largest, tallest and most ambitious production of its kind undertaken by Indian builders.
Tallest temple
The most awe-inspiring and fascinating part of this temple is its colossal stone sikhara (tower) which is 190 ft high and hence is considered as the tallest Indian temple. Thus it dominates everything in its vicinity. Its dignity is due to simplicity of its parts, square vertical base, the tall tapering body and the graceful domical finial (Kalasa). The Kalasa itself is an amazing piece of ornament. This monolithic massive kalasa is said to weigh 82 tonnes and it is a wonder as to how this stone kalasa of this heavy weight was carried to a height of 190ft. It is generally believed that this kalasa was raised to 190 ft by dragging it on an inclined plane which had its base at a place called Sarapallam which is about 6 kms from the temple.
Another interesting factor is that lakhs of tonnes of granite blocks which are not available locally were brought from 34 kms away. This itself is a stupendous task. The linga inside the sanctum is a colossal one measuring two tiers of the sanctum. It was originally called Rajarajesvara after the king. Later because of its huge size, it came to be allied Brihadisvara (Big Isvara). Thus its creator has been sidelined.
The sanctum has a circumambulatory (pradakshina) passage, the walls of which have paintings of the Chola period, which show excellent worksmanship and technique.
Temple complex
Brihadisvara temple is a temple complex consisting of many subsiding shrines and mantaps. All these are built in an enclosure measuring 750 ft long and 250 ft wide. Various parts of this temple are sanctums, half mantapa, mantapa, mahaman-tapa and a separate Nandi man-tapa. This Nandi is one of the largest in the country.
When one wonders about the colossal nature of the architecture, it matches well with the thousands of sculptures which adorn every part of this temple including the tower. In fact, it is a rich gallery of Saiva sculptures. You name any form of Siva, one will encounter it here. Siva-Parvathi, Nataraja, Siva killing various demons, Ganesha, Kartikeya, Tripur-antaka, Kalari, Chan-drasekhara etc. are found here.
The highest achievement of the plastic art of the Chola period is revealed by 108 dance poses carved here. Each of these is masterpiece by itself.
The temple of goddess was added years later. Another unique feature is the presence of inscriptions on the stone base which give us a glimpse into the various donations to the temple including food items that were required for the preparation of the prasada. Even the names of the various officers, male and female servants, their remuneration are also furnished. These carved records have survived for one thousand years and give us an authentic picture of the administration of this massive temple.
Thus might and delicacy have harmoniously blended here in this big abode of Siva. Another unique feature here is the presence of the sculpture of king Rajaraja and his queens. He is also seen in the painting here.
Contribution by wives
Rajaraja had seven wives who are known to us through inscriptions. These wives gave full support to their husband king in building this temple and donated various images that adorn the temple. Raja raja's sister Kundavai also donated many images. His Ministers and officers did not lag behind. They too donated images and made gifts.
Thus Rajarajesvara temple, popularly called Brihadisvara temple has been standing at Thanjavur for the past one thousand years and attracting lakhs of Indian and foreign visitors alike.
This is a star attraction for the tourists to Tamil Nadu. On this 1000th year, we salute Rajaraja who gave to us a lofty Siva.
In his rule of 31 years (985-1016 AD), he made the Cholas a power to reckon with, not only in South India but also in far off South East Asia and Sri Lanka. With the help of his navy, he conquered Maladives and other islands. The Cholas had occupied parts of Kolar, Bangalore, Mysore and Chamarajanagar districts for about a century and built many temples in these places.
Even today villagers refer to them as Chola pratishte (consecrated by Cholas). But ultimately Hoysala king Vishnuvardhana fought against the Cholas and drove them out of Karnataka permanently.
At one time, the whole of South India came under the rule of Rajaraja. A rare honour indeed! Naturally he thought of building a temple which could surpass all the constructions so far undertaken in South India, in keeping with his power and might. Thus he built a massive temple for his god Siva. This is the largest, tallest and most ambitious production of its kind undertaken by Indian builders.
Tallest temple
The most awe-inspiring and fascinating part of this temple is its colossal stone sikhara (tower) which is 190 ft high and hence is considered as the tallest Indian temple. Thus it dominates everything in its vicinity. Its dignity is due to simplicity of its parts, square vertical base, the tall tapering body and the graceful domical finial (Kalasa). The Kalasa itself is an amazing piece of ornament. This monolithic massive kalasa is said to weigh 82 tonnes and it is a wonder as to how this stone kalasa of this heavy weight was carried to a height of 190ft. It is generally believed that this kalasa was raised to 190 ft by dragging it on an inclined plane which had its base at a place called Sarapallam which is about 6 kms from the temple.
Another interesting factor is that lakhs of tonnes of granite blocks which are not available locally were brought from 34 kms away. This itself is a stupendous task. The linga inside the sanctum is a colossal one measuring two tiers of the sanctum. It was originally called Rajarajesvara after the king. Later because of its huge size, it came to be allied Brihadisvara (Big Isvara). Thus its creator has been sidelined.
The sanctum has a circumambulatory (pradakshina) passage, the walls of which have paintings of the Chola period, which show excellent worksmanship and technique.
Temple complex
Brihadisvara temple is a temple complex consisting of many subsiding shrines and mantaps. All these are built in an enclosure measuring 750 ft long and 250 ft wide. Various parts of this temple are sanctums, half mantapa, mantapa, mahaman-tapa and a separate Nandi man-tapa. This Nandi is one of the largest in the country.
When one wonders about the colossal nature of the architecture, it matches well with the thousands of sculptures which adorn every part of this temple including the tower. In fact, it is a rich gallery of Saiva sculptures. You name any form of Siva, one will encounter it here. Siva-Parvathi, Nataraja, Siva killing various demons, Ganesha, Kartikeya, Tripur-antaka, Kalari, Chan-drasekhara etc. are found here.
The highest achievement of the plastic art of the Chola period is revealed by 108 dance poses carved here. Each of these is masterpiece by itself.
The temple of goddess was added years later. Another unique feature is the presence of inscriptions on the stone base which give us a glimpse into the various donations to the temple including food items that were required for the preparation of the prasada. Even the names of the various officers, male and female servants, their remuneration are also furnished. These carved records have survived for one thousand years and give us an authentic picture of the administration of this massive temple.
Thus might and delicacy have harmoniously blended here in this big abode of Siva. Another unique feature here is the presence of the sculpture of king Rajaraja and his queens. He is also seen in the painting here.
Contribution by wives
Rajaraja had seven wives who are known to us through inscriptions. These wives gave full support to their husband king in building this temple and donated various images that adorn the temple. Raja raja's sister Kundavai also donated many images. His Ministers and officers did not lag behind. They too donated images and made gifts.
Thus Rajarajesvara temple, popularly called Brihadisvara temple has been standing at Thanjavur for the past one thousand years and attracting lakhs of Indian and foreign visitors alike.
This is a star attraction for the tourists to Tamil Nadu. On this 1000th year, we salute Rajaraja who gave to us a lofty Siva.
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