Hello friends I am here to share some special Features of Thanjai big temple and I hope that you all going to enjoy this blog.
In Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, there is a Hindu temple called Brihadeeshwara Temple (Peruvudaiyar Kovil), which is devoted to Shiva. It is also referred to as Rajarajesvaram, RajaRajeswara Temple, and Periya Kovil. It is one of the biggest temples in India and a prime example of Chola-era Dravidian architecture. In 2010, the temple celebrated its 1000th anniversary. It was constructed by emperor Raja Raja Chola-I and finished in 1010 AD. The temple is one of the three "Great Living Chola Temples"—the other two being the Brihadeeswarar Temple, Gangaikonda Cholapuram, and Airavatesvara Temple—that are recognised as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
The magnificent temple known as Brihadisvaram was constructed in Thanjavur, the capital of the Chola dynasty, by Rajaraja-I, the greatest of the Chola emperors (985–1012 A.D.), the son of Sundara Chola (Parantaka–II) and Vanavan mahadevi.
According to the epigraphical evidence, Rajaraja-I began construction on this temple in his 19th year and finished it on the 275th day of his 25th year. This work was finished in just 6 years in 1010 A.D. As the last act of the temple's consecration, Raja Raja Chola gave the vimana (dome) a gold-plated Kalasam (copper pot or finial) on the 275th day of his 25th year as king (1010 CE).
The hub of the Chola Empire, Brihadeeswarar Temple drew scholars, musicians, artisans, and traders.It was especially useful as a stage for dancers who were exceptionally skilled in Sadir's traditional dance style, now called Bharatha Natyam.
The rise and fall of the city's fortunes is chronicled in the inscriptions and frescoes on the walls of the Brihadeeswarar Temple. Shiva is portrayed as a massive stone lingam. There is a 216-foot-long vimanam covering this. Stones are bonded and notched without the use of mortar in its construction. The engineering marvel at the top stone weighs approximately eighty tonnes.
But the style of temples would drastically change in the 13th century, following the fall of the Chola Dynasty. Large Vimanas would no longer be constructed; instead, the temple precincts would be enlarged, encircling the temple in a series of folds, and containing only massive Gopurams on all four sides.
The outer Gopurams would eventually rise to a height of more than 60 metres. The primary shrine's gates and their height relationship would be entirely opposite. The Brihadisvara Temple in Thanjavur is the best example of traditional south Indian temple architecture from this angle as well.
The temple is one of the most visited tourist destinations in Tamil Nadu.
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