2025-07-11 Fri

The Brihadeeswarar Temple, also known as Dakshina meru, is a significant architectural marvel situated on the banks of the Kaveri River in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu. Constructed by Chola emperor Rajaraja I in the early 11th century, this temple is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site recognized as the "Great Living Chola Temples." Subsequently, certain areas of the temple have undergone expansions and refurbishments by later dynasties, including the Nayaks and Marathas.

Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the temple is one of the finest examples of Dravidian architecture. It comprises two gopurams, a srivimana, an ardhamandapa, a mahamandapa, a mukhamandapa, and a Nandi-mandapa.

The temple is particularly renowned for its imposing Vimana, which reaches a height of 66 meters. Notably constructed from granite, the Vimana exhibits a fascinating Engineering Excellence; its Shadow does not fall on the ground at noon. This phenomenon has been attributed to the engineering of the tower, where the base is broad and the structure gradually tapers as it ascends, causing the shadow to become invisible during peak sunlight.

Despite the surrounding region lacking significant Granite deposits, the materials were sourced and transported from distant locations. At the apex of the Vimana rests a monumental stone weighing approximately 80 tons, which was skillfully placed using a RAMP system.

The exterior walls of the temple are richly adorned with intricate carvings and inscriptions. Among these, 81 of the 108 Karanas of Bharatnatyam are prominently featured on the first floor surrounding the vimana. These Karanas represent fundamental dance movements, combining leg and hand motions with body postures. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) made a significant discovery of these sculptures in the 1950s.

Additionally, the temple houses an extensive collection of inscriptions that document the social, political, and cultural life during the Chola Era. These inscriptions, some comprising as many as 107 paragraphs, are carved into stone and provide invaluable insights into the temple's construction, #rituals, offerings, and the myriad gifts it once received.

For instance, Rajaraja Chola endowed the temple with several bronze sculptures, including the renowned Nataraja bronze, alongside sculptures crafted from Silver, gold, and copper. However, most of these artifacts have been lost over time, leaving only a few bronze sculptures in the temple's present collection.

Moreover, the Emperor revived an ancient Hymn tradition known as ‘Devaram’ at the temple, integrating it as a vital component of daily chants. He appointed 48 pidarars, traditional hymn singers, to maintain this practice.

The walls of the sanctum sanctorum feature paintings from both the Chola and Nayak periods, which illustrate various scenes from the lives of Shiva and other deities. The Nayak period paintings were executed on a layer that concealed the earlier Chola artwork. restoration efforts by the ASI have successfully revealed both artistic styles.

On 26 September 2010, #India Post issued a commemorative stamp honoring the Brihadeeswarar Temple, celebrating its millennium milestone. Additionally, the Government of India minted special commemorative #coins of Rs. 5 and Rs. 1000, featuring a model of the temple to #celebrate its 1000 years.