Brihadeeswarar Temple

The Brihadishvara Temple ( Tamil பெருவுடையார் கோயில anglicised Brihadeeswarar Temple ) is a Hindu deity Shiva temple dedicated to the ancient capital of the Chola Empire Thanjavur in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, was built by Rajaraja I.. He is considered one of the most important temples of South India, is one of the three " great temple of the Chola Dynasty " (together the Brihadishvara temple in Gangaikonda Cholapuram and the Airavateshvara temple in Darasuram ) as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

Location

The temple is situated on the outskirts of the southern Indian city of Thanjavur, which is famous for its numerous temples. He can be contacted on a secluded side street off West Main Street. To the west of the temple there is a forest area, south of Grand Anikut channel.

The Brihadishvara Temple is located in a rectangular, 241 x 121 m large temple compound, which is surrounded by a wall. The wall is decorated with 250 statues Linga. The only goal of the wall located on the east side of the temple grounds. It is provided with two gopurams. The exterior is higher with about 30 meters, the interior decorated with Hindu narratives. On the temple grounds is with a height of 3.7 meters, the third highest Nandi statue in India.

Architecture

The Brihadishvara Temple is a building of the Dravida style. It is characterized by (also called monolithic construction ) of the Vimana, the tower, which consists of a hollow stepped pyramid and a dome-like top, and the use of similar large stone blocks. The Vimana of Brihadishvara temple is regarded as the culmination of the Vimana - architecture. The construction technology of the temple is considered to be clearly and completely; The entire temple complex is designed almost symmetrical. The temple was built to represent a royal temple Rajarajas vision of his strength, his power and position of the absolute order.

Design and data

The outer wall of the temple is based on partially labeled base and provided with numerous reliefs. There are two large, supported on columns lobbies, which is accessible via a staircase on the east side of the temple on the east side of the temple. On the west side of the temple stands on an area of ​​25 × 25 m, a 60.96 meters and 13 stories high plastered Vimana, where the shrine is located, which occupies the first two floors and is separated by a blanket from the rest of the Vimana. In this sanctuary, a four -meter high linga is made ​​of polished basalt.

The entire temple complex consists almost entirely of uncemented granite blocks. The dome cap of the vimana consists of a two 40 -ton granite blocks. Supposedly a several kilometers long ramp was built to create this on the Step Pyramid.

Genesis

The start of construction was 995 induced by Rajaraja I.. The stones had to be brought from a quarry 45 kilometers away, because there was no granite in the vicinity. This was self- involved, according to the inscriptions on the base of the temple to its completion in 1010, he sat by the Vimana the spire. The temple was officially dedicated to Shiva under the name Rajarajeshvera, however, was most likely the glorification of its builders.

History of the building

After the completion of the temple Rajaraja I took about 600 temple servants according to Thanjavur, including musicians, dancers, singers, conch blowers, canopy support, lamplighter, potters, scrubbers, astrologers, tailors, carpenters and gardeners.

In the 17th century, the porches were built by the Nayak dynasty. The Maratha Dynasty was plastered in the 18th and 19th centuries, the Vimana.

Since 1987, the temple belongs as part of the intact large Chola temple as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. As a justification is given that the Brihadishvara Temple, the first good example of the Chola architecture constituted, was built in an unusual and creative style and representing the art of the Chola. 2004, the World Heritage Site of the Temple of Gangaikonda Cholapuram and Darasuram was extended

The temple is now used mostly as a tourist attraction. An entrance donation is expected.