Chola temple gets fresh lease of life

The Sri Brihadeeswarar Temple in Gangaikonda Cholapuram near Jayankondam in Ariyalur district now offers visitors a serene ambience thanks to several renovation works carried out by authorities, such as the re-construction of the compound wall and setting up of a garden near the ‘Prakaram’ (corridor).

According to official sources, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) took up the renovation work in 2005 and carried out it in phases. In the first phase, the ‘vimanam’ of the sanctum sanctorum was renovated. Sources said the 15-foot high-battered compound wall, running to a length of 360 metres, posed a big challenge to the experts.

While the ‘prakaram’ is dotted with sculptures and inscriptions, the ASI has set up a lawn in the area. “The total area of the temple is 19 acres, of which the lawn has been raised on nine acres,” an ASI source revealed.

Furthermore, the mandapam in front of Sri Brahanayaki shrine has been given a face lift. “The mandapam was in a disarray with stones strewn all around. We utilised every stone and provided a ceiling to the mandapam,” says the source.

The Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment (HR&CE) Department, on its part has introduced several changes. “Primarily, we have regulated the entry of devotees by shifting the entrance about five metres beyond the old gate.

Many visitors, particularly foreigners, are not aware that they should leave their footwear outside the temple. The shifting of the entrance has ensured that the devotees and tourists first enter the footwear safekeeping stall,” said an official.

The devotees can now undertake a circumambulation of the sanctum sanctorum as additional lights and focus lights have been installed all around the ‘mahamandapam’. As many as 76 lights and 9 focus lights have been installed at important places.

Visitors and local residents have expressed their happiness at the beautification work. “The temple, which earlier was nothing but a dumping yard for boulders, has been given a facelift thanks to the beautification work completed about a couple of months ago,” said Brahadeeswaran, a local resident.

The Big Temple, also called Brihadeeswarar Temple, Rajarajesvaram or Peruvudaiyar Koil, is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Thanjavur. It was built by Raja Raja Chola I between 1003 and 1010 AD.

The original monuments of this 11th century temple was built around a moat. It featured a ‘gopura’, a massive tower, several inscriptions, frescoes and sculptures, all of which are related to Shaivism, Vaishnavism and Shaktism traditions of Hinduism. Built out of granite, the ‘vimana’ tower above the sanctum is one of the tallest in South India. The temple has a massive colonnaded ‘Prakaram’ (corridor) and one of the largest shiva lingas in India. It is also famous for the quality of its sculptures.

The temple in Gangaikonda Cholapuram, built by Rajendra I, was completed in 1035

The construction of the Big Temple in Thanjavur was inaugurated by Rajaraja I (985-1012 AD). The vimana soars to a height of 59.82 metres over the ground

The Airavatesvara temple complex, built by Rajaraja II (1143-1173 AD) features a 24-m vimana.It is much smaller in size as compared to the other two temples