VELUDHARAN TEMPLES VISIT : Brihadisvara Temple / Sri Brihadeeswarar Temple / Sri Rajarajecharam / Thanjavur Periya Kovil, a Heritage Walk, Thanjavur District, Tamil Nadu,

Wednesday, 28 February 2018

Brihadisvara Temple / Sri Brihadeeswarar Temple / Sri Rajarajecharam / Thanjavur Periya Kovil, a Heritage Walk, Thanjavur District, Tamil Nadu,

25^th February 2018.

More than 1000 years old temples in Tamil Nadu, were built by Chozhas and Pandya Kings and later renovated by the Nayaks of the Vijayanagara dynasty and Nattukottai Nagarathars. These temples have a mystery behind the construction using stone. It is a challenging task for the today’s engineers and Scientists to unfold the mystery. To date, nobody has given a concluding statement, about how the temple was built. One such architectural marvel temple is the Sri Rajarajecharam of Thanjavur. The original name of Sri Rajarajecharam was changed to Sri Brihadeeswarar due to the influence of Sanskrit. But still, people used to call Thanjai Peru Udayar Kovil or Thanjai Periya Kovil.

Sri Vimanam

The Rajarajecharam temple was built by the Chozha King Rajaraja Chozha – I, who ruled a major part of India, Sri Lanka, and a part of southeast Asia. His ruling period was from 985 AD to 1012 CE, which is considered a golden period in Chozha’s history. It was said that the construction of the temple took around 6 years from 1004 CE to 1010 CE, completely with stone. The Kailasanathar temple of Kanchi was his inspiration to construct this temple. The chief architect (sthapathy) was Veera Chozhan Kunjaramallan Rajaraja Perunthachan and assisted by Madhuranthaka NithaVinotha Perunthachan & Ilathi Chadaiyan Kandarathitha Perunthachan. The inscriptions are done by Chathankudi Vellalan Iravi Paloorudyan.

This temple is like a University for the students to learn architecture, Engineering, and construction and the inscriptions is an exhaustive documentation for the Governance of the temple. Tons and tons of granite stones are used to construct this temple was sourced from a quarry approximately 75 KM distance from the temple site. It might be a mammoth job of bringing 4 nos of single granite stone pillars measuring 40 feet in length and 4 feet x 3 feet in size and an 18-foot dwarapalakas to the site. Latter installation of 18 feet x 8 feet x 12 feet size Nandhi by the Vijayanagara Nayaks might be an achievement.

This Heritage walk was conducted on 25^th February 2018. About 100+ Chozha history Enthusiasts and lovers of Kalki’s Ponniyin Selvan Historical Novel participated in this walk. Even- though I visited no of times in connection with the Ponniyin Selvan meet, this visit is a special one and mainly focused on the heritage point of view. Thought of learning at least a little, about this temple like a drop of water in the ocean. Referred to the book, the previous day, written by Mr Kudavayil Balasubramanian, and took some points to see at the temple during the walk.

The history of the temple and Chozhas was explained by Prof. Dr. Theivanayagam, our Chief Guest and also he took us to read the inscriptions through our group member Mr Pon Karthikeyan. Mr Raman Sthapathy explained the structure of the temple. Later in the morning & afternoon sessions Dr. Udhaya Shankar, Mr. Andavar Kani, and Pon Karthikeyan explained the various inscriptions which, speak about the donations made to the temple like regular functioning of Pooja, jewels, Moorthys made of Cheppu and articles made of gold & silver. The Administrators of the temple, the representatives of various divisions of Chozha mandalam who had taken care of the security of the temple, Musicians, and Dancers were documented in the form of inscriptions.

Went around the temple and tried to locate the miniature sculptures in the kapotam, which I had prepared to see in the temple. We are fortunate to see Sri Agni Devar, Eesanar ( Part of Ashta thikku balakas ), and the Anukkan Vayil, or the entrance, through which King Rajaraja entered for the darshan of Lord Shiva. We are also fortunate to have the darshan of Lord Shiva from the same place where King Rajaraja had the darshan.

I extend my sincere thanks to Prof. Dr. Theivanayagam and Mr Ramanathan on behalf of Prince, who arranged a special darshan. I also personally extend my sincere thanks to the organizers, Mr. Selvaraj Nayakkavadiyar, Mr. Raman Sthapathy, Dr. Udhaya Shankar, Mr. Andavar Kani, Mrs. Fowzia, Miss. Abirami Baskaran, Vetrikaliru writer, Mr. Pon Karthikeyan ( our Young Epigraphist ), Mr. Monish, Mr. Guhan, and the participants for this informative and enjoyable heritage walk at Sri Rajarajecharam of Thanjai. Thanks to one and all.

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