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Temples in Thanjavur

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Brihadeeswara Temple

This is a magnificent Siva temple built in 1003 AD by King Rajaraja I, the Chola King. It is considered one of the grandest temples in India. The main shrine is dedicated to Lord Siva. This temple is unique because the vimana (the tower over the altar) soars into the sky, while the gopurams (the towers over the entrance) are small. The tower of the temple is 64.8 metres (216 ft) high with 14 stories, making it the tallest temple in South India. There has been continuous worship at the temple for more than 1000 years.

The temple is capped by a single 80 ton monolithic solid granite block. This enormous stone is said to have been moved up an incline that started 6 km from the temple. The sikhara, a spherical dome, is octagonal and rests on top of this granite block. The shadow of the sikhara never falls on the ground.

In the inner sanctum is the gigantic Maha-linga, 3.5 metres (10 1/2 feet) high and 7 1/2 m (23 ft) in circumference. The linga is from the Narmada River. It is said that when the linga was taken out of the water, it kept increasing in size; which is why the linga is known as Brihadeeswara.

The giant Nandi (bull of Lord Siva), which is carved out of a single stone, is considered to be the second largest in India, next to the one at Lepakshi. It is 3.7 metres high (13 feet), 6 metres long (16 feet), 2.5 tons. It is said that it grew in size every day, until a nail was driven in its back to keep it from growing.

The name of he goddess is Brihannayaki. There is a deity in this temple of Jwarahareswara who controls fever. It is believed if a person has a chronic fever, that it will subside if they offer sandal paste to this deity. This has been experienced by many people. There is a 55 foot-high temple dedicated to Lord Subrahmanya that is considered to have some of the best carvings in South India on it. There are many Vaishnava sculptures on the gopurams.

Beyond the western wall of the temple is the giant Seppunaikan Tank. The Sivaganga Tank is a sacred tank in the temple courtyard, within a 100-pillar mandapa (hall).

Unless you get special permission from the Archaeological Department of Madras, you cannot enter the inner sanction. Non-Hindus can go everywhere in the enclosure except the room where the Siva-linga is located and the halls that approach it.

By the courtyard is the interesting Archaeological Museum, which has exhibits that give a good history of the temple's restoration and the Chola empire. There is also a good collection of sculptures.

 

Divya Desam Temple

In Tiruttanjai, about 4 km north of Thanjavur railway station are three temples adjacent to each other which are Divya Desam temples. They are Thanja Mamanikkoil, Tanjaiyali-koil, and Manikkunra Perumal.

The Aran Saapa Temple is located in Thirukandiyur, which is 10 km from Thanjavur on the way to Tiruvaiyaru.

 

Tyagaraja Siva Temple

This beautiful temple dedicated to Lord Tyagaraja was built between the 13th and 17th century. The outer walls of this massive temple are 846 feet long and 666 feet wide. It is one of the largest temples in South India. On each side of the temple is a huge gopuram. There is a bathing tank called Kamalalayam, where there is a temple dedicated to Sri Kamala (Laksmi) in the middle. It is considered to be one of the biggest tanks in all o f India.

King Muchukunda is said to have installed the Siva-linga, which is called Achaleeswara means "the immovable Lord". The story of the temple is that there was a king named Samatkara who performed austerities here. When Lord Siva appeared before him, he begged Lord Siva to be present forever at this site. Lord Siva said he would remain here forever immovable and that even his shadow would not move. The shadow of the Achaleeswaralinga never moves and can be seen only in the eastern direction. It is said that the shadow of the linga will not be seen by someone who is about to die within six months.

 

Bakthavatsala Perumal Temple

This is a Divya Desam temple 6 km from Tiruvarur station towards Kumbakonam. The standing Vishnu Deity is known for His larger-than-normal size.

 

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Trichy Vellore
 
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