Brihadeeswarar Temple Thanjavur

A journey into the history and architecture of one of India's largest and most significant temples dedicated to Lord Shiva

Introduction

Brihadeeswarar Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva, located in Thanjavur in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is one of the largest temples in India and its towering gopuram (gateway tower) reaches a height of . The temple was built by Raja Raja Chola I, who ruled from 985 to 1014 CE. Considered as one of the Great Living Chola Temples, it has been part of an UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987 under criteria ii; iii; iv as "an outstanding example representing significant stages in human history".

The Brihadeeswar Thanjavur was built by Raja Raja Chola I (985-1014 AD), who ruled over most parts of present day Tamil Nadu and Kerala during his reign from 985 - 1014 AD. He was not only a great warrior but also a great patron of art and culture who encouraged all forms including dance drama music literature painting sculpture etc., which resulted in making him one among those who contributed most towards development during this period known as 'Chola Period'.

Architecture of the Temple

The Brihadeeswarar Temple is a distinct example of the Dravidian architecture style. The temple's design and layout are quite unique, with various intricate carvings and sculptures adorning its walls. The grand entranceway to this Hindu temple has four huge gopurams (gateways) with sculpted figures on either side, which depict scenes from Hindu mythology.

History of the Temple

The Brihadeeswarar Temple is one of the most important temples in India, and it was constructed in 1010 AD by Rajendra Chola I. The temple was built to honor Lord Shiva and his consort Parvati. It is also believed to be one of the 108 Divya Desams, or sacred shrines dedicated to Vish.

The Brihadeeswarar Temple has great religious significance for Hindus because it houses one of their most important deities: Lord Shiva himself. In fact, this particular temple has become so popular that thousands of people visit it every day!

The Brihadeeswarar Temple has been around for over 1,000 years now , however there are many legends surrounding its construction as well as its purpose within Hinduism itself

The Main Deity

The main deity of the temple is Shiva, who is worshipped as Brihadeeswarar (Brihannayakar). The name "Brihadeeswarar" means "lord of universe". Lord Shiva is one of the most important gods in Hinduism and he has many other names such as Siva, Mahadeva and Sundaramurti.

The rituals performed by Hindus are done with great devotion to please their gods and goddesses so that they can get what they want from them like good health, wealth etc. The ritualistic activities at this temple include bathing in holy water called Thirumudi Vasal (sacred pond), offering prayers before entering inside the sanctum sanctorum where there are idols of deities installed inside small shrines called Thiruveetil Pillaiyar Kovils or Viboothi Kovils which represent different forms taken by Lord Vishnu during various stages in his life cycle - childhood, youth adulthood old age death resurrection rebirth etc., lighting lamps during festival days likeal Karthigai Deepam Festival where lamps are lit outside homes windows doors entrances gateways doorways windows balconies rooftops terraces gardens fields farms plantations forests hills grasslands plains deserts oceans shores beaches islands seaside villages towns cities suburbs suburbs suburbs townships suburbs areas suburban townships suburbs localities suburbia suburbias suburbs foothills foothills mountains valleys plains deserts oceans shores beaches islands seaside villages towns cities suburbs suburbs townships suburbia suburbias suburbs localities suburbias localities

The Temple Complex

The Brihadeeswarar Temple complex is one of the largest in Tamil Nadu and is spread out over an area of 10 acres. The temple's layout consists of a large outer courtyard, four enclosures, three gateway towers and several shrines. The first enclosure has two halls that are used for various religious ceremonies and festivals.

The second enclosure houses the sanctum sanctorum where Lord Shiva resides along with his consort Parvati (also known as Amman). This part of the temple is called "garbha griha" or inner sanctum because it houses their divine images made out of rock crystal or marble which cannot be seen by anyone except priests who perform daily rituals at this location inside this structure.

Inside this innermost chamber there are also shrines dedicated to other deities such as Murugan (Kartikeya), Nandi (Shiva's bull mount) & Vinayaka(Ganesha).

The Annual Festival

The annual festival of the temple is celebrated in a grand manner. It is marked by several rituals, which include processions and special pujas. The festival is important for the local community as it brings together people from different parts of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka to celebrate their culture and tradition.

The Cultural Significance

The Brihadeeswarar Temple is a cultural center for the people of Thanjavur. It is not only a place of worship, but also an important part of their daily lives. The temple has been connected with music and dance since its founding, and it continues to be an integral part of these arts today. In addition to this, there are many different festivals held at the temple throughout the year--some religious in nature and others secular.

The Conservation Efforts

The Brihadeeswarar Temple is one of the most important Hindu temples in India. It also one that has seen a great deal of conservation efforts over the years, thanks to various organizations and individuals who have worked hard to preserve this historic structure.

The temple's current state can be attributed to many factors, including its age and location (it was built on top of an older temple), but it also suffers from being located in a highly populated area with no room for expansion or growth. As such, there are many challenges when it comes to preserving this sacred space: limited space means there isn't much room for expansion; pollution from nearby factories affects air quality; increased tourism means more foot traffic which leads to wear-and-tear on both visitors and buildings alike; vandalism due to ignorance about local customs/culture...the list goes on!

The Local Cuisine

The local cuisine of Thanjavur is a blend of Tamil, Telugu and Kannada dishes. The temple food is made with freshly ground spices and vegetables grown locally. The most popular dish at the Brihadeeswarar Temple is 'pongal' which has been cooked since ancient times in an earthen pot called 'kulambu'. It is also one of the main offerings given to Lord Shiva during festivals like Pongal or Sankranti.

Other dishes include:

* Rasam - A spicy soup made with tamarind extract, lentils and vegetables

* Sambar - A thick gravy made from tamarind pulp mixed with lentils and spices

Conclusion

The Brihadeeswarar Temple is a World Heritage Site and one of the most important temples in India. It was built during the Chola period, which lasted from 850 to 1279 CE. The temple has been rebuilt multiple times over the centuries still retains its original structure and design elements.

The Brihadeeswarar Temple is located in Thanjavur District, Tamil Nadu state, South India. It was built by Raja Raja Chola I (985-1014) who ruled over most of southern India during this time period. He was also responsible for building many other important structures including Gangaikonda Cholapuram Fort Complex (built 910 CE), Airavatesvara Temple at Darasuram near Kumbakonam (1150 CE), Big Temple at Tanjore City(1130–40 CE)and Ranganathaswamy Temple at Srirangam(1250–60 CE).