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UNIDENTIFIED WOUNDER

GEM OF WOUNDERNESS

By NaveeN RPublished 3 years ago 3 min read
THANJAI PERIYA KOVIL

The Brihadishvara Temple, also known as Rajarajesvaram or the Thanjavur Big Temple, is a Shaivite Hindu temple located on the south bank of the Cauvery river in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, India. It is one of the largest Hindu temples and an exemplary piece of Tamil architecture, built in the Chola architectural style. The temple was constructed by Chola emperor Rajaraja I between 1003 and 1010 CE and is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the Great Living Chola Temples. The temple complex includes the main temple, a massive tower, inscriptions, frescoes, and sculptures predominantly related to Shaivism, but also of Vaishnavism and Shaktism. The temple is also famous for the quality of its sculpture, as well as for commissioning the brass Nataraja, Shiva as the lord of dance, in the 11th century. The temple has a massive colonnaded prakara (corridor) and one of the largest Shiva lingas in India, as well as shrines for Nandi, Parvati, Murugan, Vinayagar, Sabhapati, Dakshinamurti, Chandikeshwar, Varahi, Thiyagarajar of Thiruvarur and others. The temple is one of the most visited tourist attractions in Tamil Nadu. The temple is located in Thanjavur, about 350 kilometres southwest of Chennai, and is connected daily to other major cities by the network of Indian Railways, Tamil Nadu bus services and the National Highways 67, 45C, 226 and 226 Extn. The nearest airport with regular services is Tiruchirappalli International Airport, about 55 kilometres away.

The temple's gopuram (tower) rises to a height of 216 feet (66 meters) above the sanctum and is one of the tallest in India. The main deity of the temple is Lord Shiva, in the form of a lingam, and there are several shrines within the temple complex dedicated to other deities such as Parvati, Murugan, Nandi, and others.

The Brihadisvara Temple is known for its intricate and exquisite carvings and sculptures, many of which depict scenes from Hindu mythology and legends. The temple also features several frescoes, many of which are now faded or damaged. One of the most famous sculptures in the temple is the Nataraja, a bronze statue of Lord Shiva in his form as the Lord of Dance. The Nataraja is one of the most iconic images in Hinduism and is often used to represent Indian culture and dance.

The Brihadisvara Temple is a popular tourist destination and is one of the most visited temples in Tamil Nadu. It is also an important pilgrimage site for Hindus and is particularly crowded during the annual Maha Shivaratri festival, which is celebrated in honor of Lord Shiva. The temple is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the Great Living Chola Temples, along with the Airavatesvara temple in Darasuram and the Brihadisvara temple in Gangaikonda Cholapuram.

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About the Creator

NaveeN R

life is a puzzle...if you have answer ,it will also have a tough.If you think thats too easy,then you get fcuked up....

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