Brihadeeswarar Temple

Brihadeeswarar Temple is the world`s first complete granite temple. It is an excellent specimen of architecture of the Chola dynasty. It is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple stands amidst fortified walls which were an additionally created in the sixteenth century. The temple`s vimana is the tallest of its kind in the world.

The apex structure on the top of the temple is not carved out of a single stone. Statue of Nandi is carved out of a single rock that is kept at the entrance. This temple was built by Rajaraja Chola I in 1010 AD. It turned 1000 years in 2010.

History of Brihadeeswarar Temple, situated in Thanjavur district of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, dates back to 1002 CE. The foundation of the temple was laid out by Arulmozhivarman, a Tamil emperor, who was popularly known as Rajaraja Chola I. The temple marked the first monument of the great Tamil Chola building projects. The temple was constructed by the emperor as per the command he received in his dream for gracing the throne of the Chola Empire. The architectural splendour of the temple represents the Chola tradition with a symmetrical and axial geometry ruling the layout of the temple. Temples belonging to this period, including Brihadeeswarar Temple, were the representatives of the artistic expertise, power and wealth of Chola Empire. The temple features multifaceted columns having projecting square capitals which mark the arrival of the new Chola style.

Brihadeeswarar Temple was built as a royal temple in order to exhibit the vision of power of the emperor along with his relationship with the universal order. In ancient times it served as the site for prominent royal ceremonies including associating the king with his deity Lord Shiva and anointing him. The emperor also used to mirror the daily rituals of the deity. The Tamil civilisation in south India and the ideologies of the Chola Empire aptly reflects through the Dravidian type of temple architecture which structures the temple. It also mirrors the zenith of artistry achieved in the empire in terms of bronze casting, painting, sculpture and architecture. Brihadeeswarar Temple has been credited as the first temple fully constructed on granite. Its construction was completed within a period of five years from 1004 AD to 1009 AD.

Architecture of Brihadeeswarar temple symbolizes the summit of Dravidian architecture in its purest form: meticulous ideas and impeccable execution of architectural layout. The Shiva linga is placed in the sanctum. The `pradakshinapata` consists of three massive sculptures of Lord Shiva. The Brihadeswara Temple at Thanjavur symbolizes the summit of the Dravidian sculpture and architecture in its purest form: meticulous ideas and impeccable execution of the carved figures. The temple consists of garbhagriha, ardhamandapa, mahamandapa and mukhamandapa. The entire complex is protected by an enclosed wall. This wall has been decorated with low two-storeyed cloistered structure. These structures are also known as the `prakara.` At an elevated level the temple comprises the adhishthana, bhumi (wall), prastara (entablature) that includes talas, griva (neck), shikara and is topped by a kalasha.

The temple is made up of many structures that are aligned axially. One can enter either one axis through a five-storey gopuram or to the huge main quadrangle through a smaller gopuram. The temple has a huge shikhara with sixteen articulated stories. Every surface of shikhara is covered with Pilaster, piers and attached columns. The main temple is situated in the center of the spacious quadrangle that consists of a sanctuary, a Nandi, a pillared hall, assembly hall and many sub-shrines. The inner mandapa is surrounded by huge walls that are divided into different levels. Each side of the sanctuary has a bay that stresses the chief cult icon. The inner most chamber takes the form of a miniature vimana with other features resembling the southern Indian temple architecture. The garbhagriha is square that houses the deity. The royal bathing-hall is located to the east of the hall of Irumudi-Soran.

The inner mandapa leads to a rectangular mandapa and then to a twenty-columned porch which has three staircases that lead downwards. There are two walled enclosures that surround the main temple.

The vimana of this temple is 60.96 m high and stands on a plinth that measures 45.72 metre square. None other Dravidian temple in India has such a high vimana as Brihadeswara Temple. Further the `adhishthana` has inscriptions running all around it.

There are several subsidiary shrines that are located within the temple complex. One of these shrines is the Chandikeswara temple that is located to the north of the garbhagriha. A Nandi shrine is also to be found here but it was probably a later addition made by the Nayaks in the 16th century A.D.