Sri Bragadeeswarar temple – Thanjavur

Moolavar : Bragadeeswarar

Urchavar : –

Amman / Thayar : Periya Nayaki

Thala Virutcham : Pinnai, Vanni

Theertham : Simma Kinaru

Agamam / Pooja : –

Old year : 1000-2000 years old

Historical Name : –

City : Gangaikonda cholapuram

District : Thanjavur

State : Tamil Nadu

Brihadeshwara temple which is located in thanjavur during from 3rd century BC to 4th century AD. It is also believed that chola king win the battle with chola and pandyas then the city was ruled by king chola. King chola constructed the brihadeshwarar temple in 985 AD which is the greatest construction of cholas.

 

Thanjavur Brihadeshwara temple or Thanjavur Periya Kovil is the symbol of world heritage and culture of the Indian state of Tamilnadu. This temple is dedicated to lord shiva.it is also called as RajaRajeshwara temple which is one of the largest temples in India.

Brihadeshwara temple shows architecture excellence of greatest emperor Raja Raja Cholan between 984 AD to 1010 AD and This architecture reveals the wealth and artistic expertise of Chola kingdom which was completed in 1010 AD. It crossed 1000 years in 2010. It is one of the parts of UNESCO world heritage sites as “Great Living Chola Temples”.

This temple signifies the Tamilian architectural knowledge.The stunning monuments speaks about the Chola kingdom’s architecture. This temple was completely built by the granite stones.

The height of the temple is 66m(216 feet).it has world’s tallest Vimanam and Kumbum in the top of the gopuram is 80 ton in weight. It is hard to built 80 ton carved rock on the top of the gopuram back in 11th century.

The boundary of the temple holds lord Shiva as the main deity and it appears as Lingam statue which is 3.7 meters tall. The entrance of the temple has big Nandhi statue which is carved out in a single rock and weight around 20 tons.

This temple wall is most beautiful and included with richest paintings. It is one of the largest temples in India also called “Big Temple”. Thanjavur architecture is unbelievable construction for many enegineers,it shows tamilnadu heritage.know thanjavur history in tamil.

The most interesting and unbelievable thing about this temple is the shadow never falls down at the noon and it has musical pillars in the entrance of the temple.

The vimanam in the temple is called as Dakshina meru and southern meru.

Two Ganesha statue idols appear at the entrance if you tapping them you can feel the sound traveling through the stone in one idol and through metal in another idol.

The statues on three sides hold Shiva, Durga, Vishnu. Ganesha, Vishnu, and his consorts Sridevi, Bhudevi, Lakshmi then, Vishnu Anugraha murti, Dakshinamurti, Kalanta and Nataraja sculptures appear on the southern wall of the temple.

The west side sculptures are Harihara, Ardhanarishvara, a pair of dvarapalas and two Chandrasekharas and north side scupltures are Adhanarisvara, Gangadhara, a pair of dvarapalas, Virabhadra,Alingana Chandrasekhara, Siva holding a Sula (spear), a pair of dvarapalas, Sarasvati, Mahishasuramardini and Bhairava.

 

Intresting Facts : A study in Oriental architecture or history is certainly incomplete without a mention of the Tanjore Brihadeeshwara Temple or the Tanjore Periya Kovil (Big Temple). This imposing structure was built by Raja Raja Cholan and his sister Kundavai, both ardent devotees of Lord Shiva. It was constructed by the King at the height of the Chola reign to signify his power and strength. Here are a few facts not known about this Chola temple of Thanjavur:

  1. a) The original name of the deity was Rajarajeshwar. It was the Marathas who gave it the name Brihadeeshwara or the Great Ishwara.
  2. b) The main temple is entirely built of granite. More than 130,000 tons of granite is said to have been used to build it.
  3. c) A long associated myth with this temple temple is that the shadow of the main structure does not fall on the ground. However, this has been proven wrong by scientists.
  4. d) The statue of Nandi at the entrance of the temple is carved out of a single stone.
  5. e) The main Vimanam, which is at about 200 feet is often called Dakshin Meru or Southern Meru.
  6. f) The inspiration to build the temple came to Raja Raja Cholan during his visit to Sri Lanka and is a result of a dream he had.
  7. g) The temple has a portrait of Raja Raja Cholan paying obeisance to Lord Natarajar. This is undoubtedly, the first ever instance of a royal portrait.
  8. h) Inscriptions in the temple point towards Kunjara Mallan Raja Raja Perunthachan as the chief architect of the temple. His successors survive to this day and practice the art of Vastu or Vastu Shastra.
  9. i) Depictions of nartakis or dancers showing eighty one of hundred and eight karanas (synchronised movements of hands and feet) in Bharata Natyam are carved here. These karanas are a part of karanas mentioned in the Natya Shastra of Bharata Muni or Sage Bharata. There is also evidence that the temple was a platform for talented dancers to showcase their talent. These depictions are first of their kind.
  10. j) The inscriptions also mention the different kinds of jewels used in the period. Each of these jewels are mentioned in detail. A total of twenty three different types of pearls, eleven varieties of diamonds and rubies are mentioned in these inscriptions.

What astounds historians is that there was not a single granite quarry in about 100 km radius of the temple. This means that transporting these stones would have been a herculean task. But Raja Raja Cholan insisted on the use of these stones. All of these features make this Chola temple of Tanjore, a magnum opus of the Chola reign.

Reason for UNESCO award

It is an unrivaled piece of architecture and it reveals the culture, heritage and engineering mastermind of Chola’s kingdom.

It has lot of peerless, unimaginable and interesting thing in the temple.

It got under the category of the Archaeological site and Southerneastern Asian Religious structure of Hindus.

 

 

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Swami Malai Temple - Swamimalai

Moolavar : Swaminathar, Subbiah

Urchavar : –

Amman / Thayar : Valli, Deivanai

Thala Virutcham : Gooseberry

Theertham : Vajra theertham, Kumaradarai, SaravanaTheertham, Nethra Kulam, Brahmma Theertham Agamam / Pooja : –

Old year : 1000-2000 years old

Historical Name : Thiruveragam

City : Swamimalai

District : Thanjavur

State : Tamil Nadu

It is a popular story that Brahamma the Creator bypassed Lord Muruga when both met on an occasion without offering the respect to the Young Lord which He deserved. Muruga intercepted Brahmma and demanded the meaning of the Pranava Mantra Ohm. The Creator could not answer. Muruga pounced on Brahmmas four heads and put him in prison as he was not qualified for the creation job. He began creation Himself. Vishnu appealed to Lord Shiva for the release of Brahmma. Muruga obeyed His father’s order. When Lord Shiva asked the Son to explain the meaning of Ohm, the Young Son explained the meaning in detail, but secretly close to Father’s ears as this is such a holy mantra which the righteous and wise alone should know. The event took place in this sacred soil.

 

Lord Muruga graces devotees in His best attire. He looks with a ripe, wise and philosophical look during the Vibuthi (sacred ash) abishek, a majestic Balasubramania in Sandal abishek. If one closely observes the sanctum sanctorum, the peeta – stage- on which the Lord stands looks like the Shivlinga Avudayar and the Lord as Shivalinga itself. This represents the philosophy that Lord Shiva and Lord Muruga are but one and not different from each other. In the place of the traditional peacock before the Lord, there is elephant here, which was gifted by Indira after the destruction of demon Harikesa, according to scriptures.

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Sri Ramaswami temple – Kumbokonam

Moolavar : Ramaswami

Urchavar : –

Amman / Thayar : –

Thala Virutcham :

Theertham : –

Agamam / Pooja : –

Old year : 500 years old

Historical Name : –

City : Kumbakonam

District : Thanjavur

State : Tamil Nadu

Dasaratha King of Ayodhya was sad as he had no issues to look after the kingdom after him. As advised by Guru Vasishta, he conducted a yajna called Puthrakameshti Yajna seeking child boon. To establish Dharma on Earth Lord Vishnu was born to him as Rama from his first queen Kausalya. Vishnu’s Adisesha and conch were born as Lakshmana and Satrugna to his their queen Sumitra. Bharatha representing Vishnu’s discus was born to the second queen Kaikeyi and was a symbol of Dharma himself. Rama, Lakshmana, Bharatha and Satrugna were born on very auspicious days with Punarvasu, Pushya, Aslesha as their birth stars respectively. All the four brothers were a living and practical example in human forms of the rule of Vedas. Rama and Lakshmana were close to each other while Satrugna was close to Bharatha. Bharatha, an outstanding example of the political dharma of the days, ruled Ayodhya as its acting Governor of Rama from the Nandhi Grama placing Rama’s sandals on the throne. He ruled till the return of Rama from his exile after 14 years. Their wives excelled their husbands in upholding Dharmas. No power on earth could separate the brothers. They were united by soul and mind. Lord Sri Rama in the temple appears as on the Coronation Day in Ayodhya with His consort Mother Sita who suffered untold suffering during their exile, Lakshmana who was only happy to share the hardships of jungle life along with his brother, Bharatha and Satrugna whose sacrifice deserves all praise and Sri Anjaneya who was the soul of Rama in deciding His final victory over Ravana. After Ayodhya in U.P. this is the temple in Kumbakonam in the coronation style, a pilgrim town known for its famous temples and Theertha – Sacred waters – importance.

Lord Sri Rama blesses the devotees with all his brothers and Mother Sita. While Sri Hanuman appears with his club in all Vaishnava temples, he is holding a Veena here.

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Sri Aabathsahayeswarar temple – Alangudi

Moolavar : Aabathsahayeswarar, Kasi Aaranyeswara

Urchavar : Dakshinamurthy

Amman / Thayar : Elavarkuzhali

Thala Virutcham : A plant called Poolai

Theertham : Amirtha Pushkarani and others

Agamam / Pooja : – Old year : 1000-2000 years old

Historical Name : Irumpoolai

City : Alangudi

District : Thanjavur

State : Tamil Nadu

 

While saint Sundarar was caught in the floods while coming to Alangudi, Lord Shiva Himself came to his rescue in a boat and Lord Vinayaka protected the boat from capsizing and therefore is called Kalangamal Katha Vinayaka (Vinayaka who protected from fear of boat capsize).

Presiding deity Aabathsahayeswarar is a Swayambulinga Murthy in the temple. Lord Dakshinamurthy adored as Guru Baghwan (teacher of Dharma and Yoga sastras) has special importance in the temple and therefore, the place is regarded as Dakshinamurthy Sthala – the holy place. Sage Viswamitra, emperor Mushukunda and Veerabadra had woshipped in this place. Mother Parvathi performed penance here to have Shiva as Her Lord. Scars of measles are found in the idol of Saint Sudarar.

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Sri Mariyamman temple – Punnainallur

Moolavar : Mariyamman (Muthumari), Durgai

Urchavar : –

Amman / Thayar : –

Thala Virutcham : –

Theertham : –

Agamam / Pooja : –

Old year : 500 years old

Historical Name : –

City : Punnainallur

District : Thanjavur

State : Tamil Nadu

Main Goddess is a gigantic Amman in standing posture, but it is not made of stone sculpture, but of mud(puthu Mariamman). So no abishegam is done for main deity here. Instead, there is small Vishnu Durgai amman sanctum near main diety and all abjshegam are done only to this deity. No archana also for main deity, archanas are done to Uthsava Idol kept at the entrance of the main sanctum.

One can vow to offer Gold Petticoat( thanga pavadai) to main deity, when one”s prayer is fulfilled by HER. Devasthanam collect Rs.1000/- per offer on pre fixed dates. Atleast 3-7 days before one has to fix the date,as per temple timings.

Then we can also pray at Periyachi amman, another Amman deity, who wards off one’s evil effects.

If you want to have good and peaceful dharshan of this famous Mariamman, avoid Sundays,Tuesday and Fridays. Fullmoon days also attracts good crowd. Special Dharshan ticket @ Rs.10/- available,but during these festive days, long queues can be seen.

Best day and timing for good darshan- weekdays(other than Tuesday,Friday & Sunday) early morning..6-8 am.

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Sri ThiruValanchuzhi Nathar temple – Thiruvalanchuzhi

Moolavar : ThiruValanchuzhi Nathar

Urchavar : –

Amman / Thayar : Peria Nayaki

Thala Virutcham : Vilwa

Theertham : Cauvery, Arasalaru, Jada theertham

Agamam / Pooja : –

Old year : 1000-2000 years old

Historical Name : Thiruvalanchuzhi

City : Thiruvalanchuzhi

District : Thanjavur

State : Tamil Nadu

The story of churning the milk ocean to get nectar with Mandara mount as the churning stick (Mathu in Tamil) and Vasuki snake as the churning rope is popular among Hindu believers. Unable to bear the speed and weight during this operation, Vasuki spit its venom threatening total destruction of all worlds. Devas surrendered to Lord Shiva. He said that they began the work without worshipping Lord Vinayaka and advised them to correct the error. Devas returned to milk ocean, made an idol of Lord Vinayaka with ocean foam and prayed to him and succeeded, thus goes the Sthala Purana. Vinayaka thus made of the foam is praised as Swetha Vinayaka. He is the Ishta Devatha of the Devas.

Lord Valanchuzhi Nathar is a swayambumurthi. Lord Vinayaka idol is made of the foam of Milk ocean (Tiru Parkadal), hence praised as Swetha Vinayaka – Vellai Vinayaka. Vellai in Tamil means white.

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