Brihadisvara Temple / Myths and Facts of Rajarajeshwara / Thanjavur Periya Kovil / Rajarachecharam / Brihadeeswarar Temple, Thanjavur, Thanjavur District, Tamil Nadu.

 10th september 2015

MYTH - 1.

The top globe shaped ‘greevam’ is on a base of 8.7 meters  weighing 80 tonnes and circumference of 20 meters is of single stone.

FACT

When the archaeologists and experts climbed till stupi  and found out that the structure was not made of single stone. It was made of several stones with joints. The joints are made (amazingly) so that they are not easily visible.

MYTH - 2

The top dome supporting structure  is of  Bramaranthira stone and the same was denoted by the old lady who offered water to the sculptors and Sthapathis.

FACT

The stone is not a Bramaranthira stone  and there is no evidence  to prove. If it was a donation,  Rajarajan  would have mentioned in any of the inscriptions.

MYTH – 3

The top dome is of single stone was moved to the top height of 60.4 meters through a slope path created from the village called ‘Sarapallam’. Also some body  claims that the single stone was lifted through reciting Vedic mantra like sages lifts their body by reciting mantra during meditation ( CLICK HERE )

FACT:

Few years before happened to watch a documentary in BBC channel. In that the experiment of moving a stone through a slopped ramp through elephants was shown. The documentary has not concluded to any solution. Since the top dome is not of single stone lot of new theories are evolved now. One such new theory is moving the stones of weighing about 2 tone to 3 tone through elephants in a specially created round / circular path around the Sri Vimanam. This method consumes less energy than the any other method.  Latter the path was removed and the stones were used to construct the outer walls or Praharam walls. 

MYTH - 4

The Sri Vimanam outer structure like kapotham, Keerthi mukha are made of stone.

FACT

The stone inner main structure continues from Santharam/ circumambulatory path second level to top with stones. Over the stone structure Kabotham, Keerthi Mugam and sculptures / sirpangal were made of stucco / sudhai ( lime mortar and brick).

MYTH - 5

The top dome and kalasam will not cast shadow on the ground.

FACT.

This is not true. The photos uploaded below  proves the above myth is wrong and shadow falls on the ground. 

MYTH – 6

It was believed that there are many underground tunnels through which Rajarajan and his family used to comes to this temple for worship. After Rajarajan the tunnels were closed for safety reasons.

FACT

This is not true and there was no such archaeological evidence to prove. The Anukkan vayil or the entrance on the north praharam might be used by Rajarajan. As per the archaeological evidence the King Rajarajan came to the temple through North side Anukkan vayil (Srinivasapuram, where his palace was constructed. ). That’s why the Anukkan entrance was constructed in a grand manner with sculptures, Sanganithi & padmanidhi with lamps, poorna kalasam, ladies with samaram etc,. The pillars were sculptured like wood. Also the entrance to the artha mandapam on the north side was also constructed in a similar manner with the addition of  ashta mangala sculptures of Simham, Elephant, rishabam, mathalam etc,.

MYTH – 7

Karuvur thevar  applied ashtabanthanam to Shiva Lingam.

FACT

King Rajarajan’s guru was Eesana Siva Pandithar. In Karuvur thevar’s hymns there is no word mention about Rajarajan. Also Karuvur thevar’s name was not mentioned any of the Rajarajan’s  inscriptions. Moreover Karuvurar sannadhi was constructed in the 20^th century only.

MYTH – 8

The paintings in santharam is King  Rajarajan and Karuvurar.

FACT

It was a pure misunderstanding. As per the experts and Kudavayilar both are Sankatha munivars. The figure without beard is Sanat Kumara and not the king Rajarajan. All there sanakaatha murivars are old with white beard and yogapatta can be seen and this is a dothi used to cover the upper part of the body and not the sacred thread. In Sanakaatha munivars one person is young without beard. All the four munivar's hand fingers are in yoga Chin mudra with lotus flowers and holding jalakandi on the other hand. Also all the munivar’s head are drawn with jadamudi. It is not a custom to draw a King with Jadamudi.

MYTH – 9

In one of the keerthi mugam on north side of Sri Vimanam an European’s head is there. It was predicted that European’s rule will come latter.

FACT.

This is not true. European’s hat with head in the keerthi mugam was constructed during Thanjavur Raghunatha Nayakar’s period. There was a good relationship between Danish merchants and Nayaks. For the remembrance they used the Danish peoples head. Latter the British rule has come. This is mere a coincidence.

MYTH – 10

The present Idabam was installed by the king Rajarajan.  After installation the Idabam started growing. A nail was inserted to arrest the growth.There is also another story of a Therai ( a kind of frog), due to that also the Idabam started grown.

FACT

The present Idabam was not installed by Rajarajan. The Idabam which was installed by Rajarajan was removed during Nayaks period and the present Idabam was installed.  The Nayak Kings sculptures are on the pillars. The phenomena of growing Idabam was false.

  

  The old Idabam / Rishabam  

Reference Books :

1. Thanjavur Thirutha Varalaru by Poigai Ve Anandha Sundara Rajan

2. Rajarajecharam by Sri Kudavayil Balasubramanian. 

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA:---

Sri Muthu Mariamman Temple, Punnainallur, Thanjavur Palace, & Saraswathi Mahal - Ponniyin Selvan meet 2015, Thanjavur District, Tamil Nadu.

Continuation to the previous post……..

07^th October 2015

I was little tired due to too much walking around Sri Brihadeeswarar temple Complex, yesterday. Got up little late and proceeded to Punnainallur Mariamman temple. The temple was constructed by the Marathi Kings and Marathi inscriptions are there in the mandapa pillars.

PUNNAINALLUR MUTHUMARIAMMAN TEMPLE – THANJAVUR.

 The south side ( Main road side ) entrance arch 

Amman :  Punnainallur Mariamman.

Some of the important details are…

The temple is facing east with two level Rajagopuram, Mukha mandapam, maha mandapam, mandapam and artha mandapam.

In the outer prakaram temple tank, Kosalai, Vilakku etrum place and mandapam to stay the devotees who comes with smallpox. In the in side mandapam ( 2^nd level Rajagopuram ), stucco image of Rajah Sri Thulaji  and Sri Sadasiva Brahmendra facing Amman.

    

Dwajasthambam, balipeedam  are in the mandapam after the 2^nd level Rajagopuram under the mandapam. In he pillars Ashta Lakshmis stucco images.

In the inner prakaram only mandapam with Sri Padakachery Ramalinga Swamy’s sudhai sirpam.  Paechi amman sannadhi ( Lada sanyasi, Madurai Veerar & Kathavarayan). Rajah Shivaji's stucco image and on the right temple tank.

The sanctum Amman idol and Vishnu Durgai on the left facing south.

THE HISTORY OF THE TEMPLE

As per Chozha Sambu book, the Chozhas established 8 Sakthi temples around Thanjavur in eight directions. This Punnainallur Mariamman is on the east side. In 1680 AD,  the Maratha King Venkoji went to Samayapuram yathra to worship Mariamman. In his dream Amman appeared and  told  that  she in the midst of Punnai  forest   ‘Ant Hill’, 5 KM from Thanjavur. The king came back and found out the ant hill and created a small temple and called the place as Punnainallur and Amman a Mariamman. 

During 1763 – 1787 CE, Thulaja Raja’s daughter’s eyesight was gone due to smallpox decease  and Amman advised the King to come along with his daughter to worship her. When they worshiped Mariamman, the King’s daughter got back her eye sight and the Kind built a shrine around the Ant Hill and also he constructed the prakarm. He also shaped Ant Hill to form Amman with the hep of the Siddhar Sri Brahmendra and chakra was also installed.

During 1739 - 1763 CE King Pratap donated a village called Arulmozhi Pettai and constructed Kothandaramar temple also. The moorthams of Ramar, Seetha, Laksmana  and Sugreeva are made of Salagrama stone ( these are presented to King Pradap Sing by the Nepal King ).  Then 1798 to 1832 King Saraboji constructed  the Maha mandapam, Narthana mandapam,  Front Rajagopuram,  Big prakaram and done kumbhabhishekam  to Amman. King Shivaji constructed the outer prakaram.  In the year 1892 King Shivaji’s wife Kamtchiamba Bayi Saheb constructed the Outer prakarm, Annadhana Hall and North Rajagopuram.

Since Amman is made of Ant Hill daily abhishekam is not done instead, oil with punuku is applied. Abhishekam is conducted  to  Urchava moorham and Vishnu Durgai. Once in 5 years Thaila kappu with sambrani, Punuku, arakaja and Javadhu are applied. During that time  Curd and tender coconut are offered to Amman to reduce the heat.

  

There are 2 tubs constructed around Amman, devotees pray and fill both with water to get cured from smallpox ( Vaisuri ). During summer seasons it was observed that sweating  on Amman’s face and head till date.  Hence Amman is also called as Muthu Mari Amman. Every year  during Tamil months Adi, Avani and Puratasi, annual festival if conducted. Theppam festival is also conducted in the temple tank.

With the leadership of Sri Siddhar Padakachery Ramalinga Swamigal, the elder Prince Rajasri Rajaram conducted Kumbhabhishekam during the year 1950. The present Parambara Trustee Sri Babaji Rajah Bhonsle also done kumbhabhishekam on 06-07-1987.  Gold kavasam weighing 22 kg was offered to Amman through the donations received from the devotees.  During the year 1855, Rajah Shivaji constructed the Rajagopuram from mottai gopuram in to a 7 tier Rajagopuram with Stucco images. This thirupani was carried out through the help of Singa vala nattu ( Kulichapattu, Kathirinatham, Thalavapalayam and Marungai peoples) devotees. The Rajagopuram and other sannadhis were consecrated on 27-07-2004.

This is one of the 88 temples maintained by Rajah Sri C Babaji Rajah Bhonsle  and Tamil Nadu Govt.

TEMPLE TIMINGS :

The temple is kept open between 06.00 Hrs to 20.30 Hrs with out break.

CONTACT DETAILS :

The temple web site is

http://www.thanjavurpalacedevasthanam.tnhrce.in/88_temples/2_Mariamman_Temple_Punnainallur.html

Phone number is +91 4362267740

HOW TO REACH :

The temple is about 5 Km distance from old bus stand.

Lot of town buses both private and Govt,  are available from old Bus stand with stop as Mariamman temple.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

 The temple tank - Preparation for the Puratasi month’s  theppa urchavam 

The 7 tier rajagopuram first level and second level Rajagopuram partially visible. This second level Rajagopuram was built with stucco images.

 

 The Tamil inscriptions of Marathi Period 

  Beautiful view of the corridor- Pillars are similar to Marata's period

Padakchery Ramalinga Swamigal – He is the instrumental for many temples kumbabishekam and construction of Rajagopuram. ( Kumbakonam Nageswara Swamy Temple east side Rajagopuram  was constructed by him)

 Beautiful view of the corridor- Pillars are like Maratha's period  

 Sanctum Sanctorum Vimanam 

 Sanctum Sanctorum Vimanam 

 The east side entrance arch 

 The temple’s chariot 

The devotees offerings, cock and hens. 

After darshan of Mariamman temple came back to Thanjavur Sri Brihadeeswarar temple to take photo of the kalasam shadow falling on the ground. It was 10.00 hrs, I left for Palace and Saraswathi Mahal. On the way, purchased a book about Thanjavur Periya Kovil Santharam from Thanjavur Tamil University with  Pictures and temple details of Santharam.

  

THANJAVUR PALACE AND SARASWATHI MAHAL  

 Darbar hall 

 Durbar hall – entrance to museum arch Stucco images 

 Museum hall Pillars 

 Jyeshta Devi – on the left manthan with buffalo head and on the right her Mandhi  and somebody says it is her mother in-law Agni Devi

 Dakshinamurthy - an unusual posture 

 Navakandam 

 Navakandam 

 Museum 

 Bell Tower or Watch tower 

Saraswathi mahal looks like Gopuram – It was told that during war weapons will be stored to fool the enemies.( The enemies will think that this gopuram might be a temple's gopuram ) 
  

 Thayar ?, Vishnu on the right 

 Somaskandar- Lord Shiva and Parvathi 

 Shiva Playing damru as Gangalar

 Shiva ganas 

 King Saraboji's Darbar 

 King Saraboji's Darbar - ceiling painting  

Chozha Period Nataraja

 ---OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Sri Thanjapureeswarar Temple and Sri Narasimha Perumal Temple, Ponniyin Selvan Meet 2015, Yazhi Nagar, Thanjavur District, Tamil Nadu

 07, October 2015

Reached Thanjavur by 07.00 Hrs morning and the meet was scheduled at 15.30 Hrs. So planned to visit nearby temples. I could able to see Sri Thanjapureeswarar Temple and Sri Veeranarasimhar Temple at Vennatrankarai. I didn’t aware that there are two more Divya desam Vishnu  temples near to Sri Veera Narasimhar Temple. So missed both. People guided me wrongly to get down at Kodi Amman Temple ( this was also a historical temple ) and walked all the way to Sri Thanjapureeswarar temple.

SRI THANJAPUREESWARAR TEMPLE .

This temple is also called as Kuberapureeswarar Temple. Lord Thanjapureeswarar meaning the Lord offers asylum to those surrender to Him. 

 The three tier Rajagopuram 

Moolavar    : Sri Thanjapureeswarar

Consort      : Sri Anandavalli

Some of the important features of this temple are …..

The temple facing east with 3 tier Rajagopuram at front. Dwajasthambam, balipeedam  and Rishabam in the outer open prakaram under a shed.

In the outer prakaram Sannadhi for Lingas, Dwarabalakar, Dakshinamurthy, Gajalakshmi, Saraswathy and Panchamuga Anjaneyar, Chandikeswarar, Arthanareeswarar, Brahma, Kuberan, Sri Ayyappan and Navagrahas.

Dwarapalakas are at the entrance of mukha mandapam and Sani and Bairavar are in the mukha mandapam. Artha mandapam is of vavval nethi mandapam type.

Ambal is in a standing posture and there is a mandapam in front of Ambal Sannidhi. Ashtalakshmi sudhai sirpangal are on pillars of the mandapam.

In Koshtam Durgai, Brahma, Dakshinamurthy and Natarajar. Moolavar is little big in size and tall.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

It was told that the temple is older than Thanjavur Big temple, 1000 to 2000 years. To prove this there is no inscriptions available. Marathi inscriptions are there on the front mandapam Pillars. Marathi kings might had dome thirupani.

 Martahi inscriptions 

 Martahi inscriptions 

 Martahi inscriptions 

Martahi inscriptions 

LEGENDS

When Kuberan lost all his wealth to his brother Ravana, came to Thanjavur to worship Lord Shiva and got back all his wealth.  Hence Lord Shiva is called as Thanjapureeswrar.

TEMPLE TIMINGS :

The temple is kept open between 07.00 Hrs to 12.00 Hrs and 16.30 Hrs to 20.00 Hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS:

Duraiswamy Gurukkal may be contacted  through his mobile 9677818114

HOW TO REACH :

The Temple is on the main road ie. on the way from Thanjavur to Thiruvaiyaru, 5 KM from Thanjavur. Get down after Kodi Amman Temple.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE

 Moolavar Vimanam  

 Moolavar Vimanam and Dakshinamurthy sannadhi 

 Ambal Temple front mandapam 

SRI NARASIMHA PERUMAL TEMPLE

This is one of the 108 Divya Desa Vishnu Temples on the banks of River Vennaru. There are three temples forms one Divya Desa  Temple, which are 200 meters to 300 meters apart from each other called as Thanjaimaamani Koyil. Mangalasasanam was done by Thirumangai alwar, Nammalwar and Bhoodhathalwar. The other two are Sri Manikundra Perumal Temple and Sri Neelamega Perumal temple. In ancient days this place was called as Yazhinagar. 

This part of this post was updated with Architecture, History and Inscription, Legends etc. Please click here to read the up dated post. 

Moolavar : Sri Veeranarasimhar

Thayar    : Sri Thanjai Nayagi

Some of the important features of this temple are….

The temple is facing East with separate sanndhi for Thanjai Nayagi Thayar, Andal and Thirumangai Alwar. Moolavar Narasimhar is in in sitting posture with Sridevi and Bhoodevi and Garudalvar sannadhi is in the front mandapam..

In the mandapam sannadhi for Sri Renganathar, Varadharajar, Visvakshenar, PeriyaNambikal, Alavanthar, Ramanujar and Manavala Mamunikal.

Dwajasthambam, Palipedam and Garudalwar are immediately after the entrance arch..

As per the legend Sri Veera Narasimhar took the form of Yazhi to Kill demon Thanjaka, who took the form of elephant. Hence this place was called as Thanjai Yazhi Nagar or Thanjamapuri and latter it became Thanjavur.

Marathi inscriptions available on the pillars, which speaks about the significant contributions done to this temple by King Saraboji.

TEMPLE TIMINGS :

The temple will be kept opened between 08.00 hrs to 12.00 hrs and 17.00 hrs to 20.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS :

The following are telephone numbers 8940212119 and 9952114758.

HOW TO REACH :

The Temple is on the main road -on the way from Thanjavur to Thiruvaiyaru, 5 KM from Thanjavur. Get down after Kodiamman Temple.

LOCATION  :CLICK HERE

 Entrance Mottai Gopuram 

 Sanctum sanctorum view from Mottai Gopuram 

 Dwajasthambam and balipeedam 

 Moolavar sannadhi 

 Lakshmi Narayanan – a relief 

 Thanjai Nayagi Thayar sannadhi vimanam – Narasimhar on the gopuram a Stucco Image  

 Andal sannadhi 

How do they got these two Pallava period Simha Pillar and Nayak's period Yazhi pllar. If these belongs to this temple then temple must be at least 600 to 700 years old.  Now installed for the well.

To be Continued .........

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---