Highlights of Tanjore Great Temple

Located in Thanjavur, formerly known as Tanjore, a city in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, is the architectural wonder known as the Brihadeeswarar Temple or the Thanjavur Big Temple. It serves as a reminder of the Chola dynasty's architectural genius and rich cultural legacy, which dominated southern India during the Middle Ages.

Historical Background: From 985 to 1014 CE, King Raja Raja Chola I constructed the Brihadeeswarar Temple. One of the greatest kings of the Chola dynasty, Raja Raja Chola I is well-known for his military victories, administrative improvements, and support of the arts and architectural design. To honour his conquests and demonstrate the splendour of his dominion, he ordered the building of the Brihadeeswarar Temple.

Building:

Around 1003 CE, work on the Brihadeeswarar Temple started, and it was finished in 1010 CE. It is estimated that more than 130,000 tons of granite were utilized in its building. Renowned architect and engineer Kunjara Mallan Raja Raja Perunthachan oversaw the construction of the temple.

Architectural Elements:

The temple complex is embellished with towering gopurams, or gateway towers, which are intricately carved with sculptures that depict a variety of deities, legendary creatures, and heavenly beings.

The vimana, or main tower, is the focal point of the Brihadeeswarar Temple. Rising more than 200 feet (60 meters) above the sanctum sanctorum, it resembles a towering pyramid. The enormous monolithic dome atop the vimana, which weighs over 80 tons, was raised without the aid ofcontemporary equipment.

Nandi Mandapam: Carved from a single piece of granite, the enormous Nandi, or sacred bull, is positioned in front of the main shrine. With dimensions of roughly 16 feet (5 meters) in length and 13 feet (4 meters) in height, this Nandi statue is among the biggest of its kind in India.

Murals and Frescoes: The inside walls of the temple complex are decorated with magnificent murals and frescoes that portray scenes from everyday life, everyday Hindu mythology, and the Chola monarchs' royal court.

Cultural Significance: The Brihadeeswarar Temple is an important spiritual and cultural hub in addition to being a masterwork of architecture. It is still a bustling center of worship that welcomes visitors and followers from all around the world. In 1987, UNESCO recognized its exceptional global importance and contribution to the cultural legacy of humanity by designating it as a World legacy Site.

Legacy: The Brihadeeswarar Temple is evidence of the Chola dynasty's mastery of architecture, inventiveness in engineering, and support of culture. Its majesty and splendor continue to inspire builders, historians, and fans alike, and it remains a symbol of Tamil Nadu's rich cultural history.

In terms of scale and magnitude, the Brihadeeswarar Temple, popularly referred to as the Thanjavur Big Temple, is a spectacular achievement of ancient building. The following are some measures and dimensions of the temple's main features:

The main tower, or vimana, of the Brihadeeswarar Temple is one of the tallest in India, reaching a height of about sixty meters, or more than two hundred feet. This imposing building dominates Thanjavur's skyline.

Monolithic Cupola: The enormous, 80-ton cupola, also known as the shikhara, is the focal point of the vimana. Its measurements are roughly 80 feet (24 meters) in height and 25 feet (7.6 meters) in circumference.

Nandi Statue: A massive Nandi (holy bull) statue made of a single block of granite is housed in the Nandi mandapam (pavilion) in front of the main temple. About 16 feet (4.9 meters) in length and 13 feet (4 meters) in height make up this magnificent monument.

The temple complex is embellished with numerous intricately carved and ornamented gopurams, often known as gateway towers. Although the exact dimensions of each gopuram may differ, they all usually have multiple levels and are decorated with elaborate sculptures.

Sanctum Sanctorum: The inner sanctum of the temple is a hallowed place for devotees and is home to Lord Brihadeeswarar, also known as Shiva. The sanctum sanctorum is an important architectural feature of the temple complex, however its exact dimensions are unknown.

These measures demonstrate the architectural genius of the Chola dynasty and its lasting impact in southern India, as well as the majesty and magnificence of the Brihadeeswarar Temple.