Thanjavur - magnificient Dravidian architecture

Ancient Indian architecture has always been of great interest to historians worldwide and a photographer’s dream to capture them on the lens.

Looking at Southern India, the Pallavas, Cholas, Pandyas, Vijayanagar rulers and the Nayakas have made immense contributions to temple art in Tamilnadu.
The Chalukyas, the Gangas, the Hoysalas, the Vijayanagar rulers also compete euqally in art and architecture in Karnakata and adjoining Tamilnadu.

The North Indian style termed as "Nagara" and in South its called "Dravidian" style.

A typical Dravidian style construction comprises of -
Vimanam (one or more stories of pyramidal roof), Mantapams (or porches), Gopurams (gate pyramids) and Chowltries (pillard halls).


       

The Brihadeeswara temple (11th century CE, 1009-1010), a collossal structure with a towering vimanam and considered to be a masterpiece of Chola architecture by envisioned and built by Rajaraja Cholan king and named this as Rajarajeshwaram.
The Marattas and Nayaks too contributed by constructing various gopurams and shrines. During the period when Sanskrit language was popular, this temple was renamed to Brihadeeshwaram. Now its also called as Thanjai Periya Koil (Thanjavur Big temple) and is an UNESCO World heritage monument.

           


The main Brihadeeshwara shrine is situated at the centre, Nandi mantapam facing the shrine, Dakshinamoorthy, Ganesha, Varahi and Hanuman on the right side and Karuvurar, Sandhigeshwar, Murugan, Brahmanayagi and Natarajar on the left side.

The 15 feet huge monolithic stone sculpture of the Dwarapala (at the entrance) revals the concept that God is everywhere and God is just One.
The great Chola king just intended to show the whole world the towering presence of God that is everlasting against human life that is highly evanescent.

       



My journey, an expedition, a dream to see the richness of Indian culture, Heritage and traditions has just begun…
Hope you love reading my travel blog. Watch out for more on this space …

Love,
Ananthakrishnan (Arun)