BRIHADESHWARA TEMPLE

Introduction

Any account of ancient India is incomplete without referring to the two dynasties of South India - the
Pallavas and the Cholas and their contribution to art and architecture. Cholas were known for their
architectural mastery, which is evident from their temple architecture. The temple construction by
Cholas tags along a Dravidian style of architecture. The Brihadeshwarar temple of Tanjore is one such
great work by Cholas. It is considered as one of the largest temples in India and a most valued
architectural site. It is popularly known as The Big Temple, turning 1000 years old in 2010. It is
deemed as unique due to its antiquity. Apart from being the tallest of all Indian temples of the
medieval period, it is a masterpiece of south Indian architecture.

The Dravidian Style Chola Architecture:

The North Indian temples followed the Nagara style, while the South Indian temples were constructed
in the Dravida style of architecture. Pallavas and Cholas contributed a lot towards architecture and
constructed many temples. Brihadeshwara temple is most prominent among the temples built by
Chola with Dravidian style. They constructed temples for the purpose of social gathering and to serve
as a school. The Dravidian style is characterized by high walls, Vimana and a gopuram on the top. It is
during the Chola period that the Dravidian style of architecture flourished and reached its zenith.

About the Temple:

Tanjore Brihadeshwara located in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, stands a historical evidence for the
Dravidian architecture. Built in 1010 AD by Raja Raja Cholan I, a significant Chola ruler and a
devotee of Lord Shiva, it was erected to notify his powerful reign.

Projected to present the rulers supremacy, the temple was the place for royal ceremonies. The temple
reveals that the construction is totally based on geometry. Entirely aligned axially, it stands as
evidence to south Indias mastery of mathematics.

An UNESCO heritage site:

The temple tower (Vimanam) is among the tallest of its kind. The temple consists of a pillared hall
and mandapas, which are used as assembly halls. The exterior is embellished with hundreds of
sculptures, and the interior is endorsed with a huge idol of Lord Shiva with three eyes. Two hundred
and fifty lingams adorn the entire temple. With these marvellous features, the Brihadeshwara temple
was announced as an UNESCO heritage site under the topic Great Living Chola Temples

Origin of the Idea and the architect:

The desire to erect an enormous temple was concurred by Raja Raja Cholan, after visiting Sri Lanka.
The inscriptions informs about Kunjara Raja Raja Perunthachan, the architect of the majestic temple.
He has erected the temple, complying with all the Vastu Shastras and Agamas. His successors still
practice the ancient art and science. Dr.V. Ganapati Sthapati of Tamilnadu, is one of the successor,
who started the American University of Mayonic Science and Technology to disseminate the unique
architectural principles of Brihadeshwara temple as employed by Kunjara Raja Raja Perunthachan.

Herculean task in construction:

Built entirely with marble, it has a big statue of Nandi carved out of a single stone. The most
interesting aspect is that no quarry is situated in the closer proximity of the temple, which denotes that
the giant stones have been transported from a longer distance. These huge stones make this temple a
master piece of architecture.

Carvings speaking about dance:

The carvings portray dancers in different Bharatanatyam poses mentioned in the Natya Shastra or
Bharata Muni. There are depictions denoting that the temple has served as a platform for dancers to
exhibit their talents.

Cravings with unveiled mystery:

A carving of a mans head with a European hat is found on one side of the temple which is believed to
be of a Venetian traveller. This is really surprising because the first European to reach South India was
Vasco Da Gama in 1498, but this temple was built 500 years before his arrival.

The temple also hosts carvings of ancient Indians wearing a lot of jewelry, but usually without shirts,
as south India is a hot place. In contradiction, the carving of the European man is found to wear a top
hat, but no jewelry and is clad in shirt with long sleeves and a collar.

An evidence for ancient jewelry:

Different types of jewels were used in during that era, and the inscriptions stands as evidence,
explaining a variety of jewels. The inscriptions mentions about a total of twenty three types of pearls,
eleven varieties of diamonds and rubies.