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Brihadeshvara Temple is located in Talakaveri at the head of the Kaveri River delta in the heartland of Tamil Nadu.

Rajagopuram (main tower) of the temple
Rajagopuram (main tower) of the temple

Thanjavur contains over 90 temples, as it was favored by the Cholas rulers betwee the 1-th and 12th centuries, the Nayakas in the 16th century, and the Marathas in the 17th and 18th centuries.[1]

Contents

[edit] History

The temple was commissioned by King Rajaraja who ruled from Thanjavur. It was built between 1003 to 1010 and is the greatest of Chola temples. In many ways the temple is typical of the south Indian or Dravidian style of architecture. The temple is dedicated to Lord Brihadeshvara, a manefestation of Shiva.[2]

[edit] Temple

Ornamented pillar
Ornamented pillar

The temple is approached from the East via two gopuras or gateways, flanked by two huge guardian figures with various Shaiva legends represented in the carvings below. The shrime tower is thirteen stories tall. The exterior is decoration with hundreds of painted stucco sculptures. In the interior, the inner sanctum contains a massive Shiva lingam that is the object of devotion. The inner gopura is the Brihadeshvara temple which has a circle of sea monster heads topped by a protective monster mask. Plaster sculptures on the roof were added later. The dome topping the sanctuary is carved out of a single large stone weighing 81 tons.[3]

The temple compound includes a Chandeshvara shrine with octagonal dome, a Nandi pavillion, a porch with overhanging eve, a mandapa or columned hall, an antechamber, and a towered sanctuary, and other, smaller shrines. Most Shiva temples and shrines have a sculpture of Nandi, Shiva's mount, who faces the linga enshrined within the temple. The columned porch fronts the columned hall which leads to the sanctuary. A colonade is built along the outer enclosure wall surrounding the temple complex.[4]

In the sanctuary niches in the walls contain finely carved figures of Shiva and other gods. Dancing Shive figures cover one wall.

[edit] References

  1. ^ Brihadeshvara Temple. Retrieved on 2006-09-14.
  2. ^ Brihadeshvara Temple. Retrieved on 2006-09-14.
  3. ^ Brihadeshvara Temple (11th century). Retrieved on 2006-09-14.
  4. ^ Temple compound. Retrieved on 2006-09-14.

[edit] External links


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