Daksina Meru, Big Temple, Thanjavaur, Tamil Nadu, 29 pictures

March 10, 2004

Namaskar Mitra,

Brihadesvara Temple, Thanjavur is the most amazing temple I have ever seen.

Dedicated to Lord Shiva, it is the greatest creation of Raja Chola I (985-1012)

& was consecrated for worship in 1010 a.d.

Vimana is app 216 feet high. The Garbhagriha of the main temple is square with

29.25 m on each side. The ground Tala of the vimana is divided into two bhumis

& the vimana soars upto the height of 63.40 metres or app 216 feet with 13

storeys, capped by an octagonal griva (neck) & sikhara whose base slab is said

to weigh 80 tons.

A colossal Nandi is in the courtyard. Its dimensions are 12 feet tall, 19.5 feet

tall and 8.25 feet broad. It weighs 25 tons.

The Linga is 13 feet in height. It shines beautifully in the light of oil lamps.

It is made up of one stone.

Ganapati sub-shrine was built by Maratha ruler Sarfoji II in 1803.

Vacant inner courtyard measures 24*122 metres and is surrounded by a cloister

wall pierced by two large but almost identical coeval gopuradvaras on the

eastern axis. The sub-shrine of Chandikeshwara on the northern side is

contemporary. Others like Ganesha & Ammam shrines are post chola. Of the

sub-shrines that of Subrahmanya 1600 a.d. is unique due to hexagonal sikhara.

As you cross the gate you get to see the beautiful precincts of 800 feet length

& 400 feet breadth standing at the open courtyard, we are wonderstruck at the

30 feet tall fort wall. Seeing in front of us the big temple of Rajarajeshwaran

we feel as if the Himalaya mountain as moved over there.

See you at the site, share the wealth, cheers & om

sanjeev

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