The Great Engineers Behind Thanjavur Temple


Raja Raja I with his Guru Karuvurar

Recently I visited the Brihadisvara (or Peruvudaiyar or RajaRajeswaram) Temple in Thanjavur and I learned some interesting facts. This temple dedicated to Lord Siva was envisioned by the Chola King Rajaraja I (Arulmozhi Varman) and built during 1003 and 1010 CE. RajaRajeswaram means the "Lord of RajaRaja" which is basically Lord Shiva. The temple is located within the Sivaganga Little Fort and is surrounded by a moat on the east, west, north and the Grand Anaicut canal on the south. This temple is protected by the Archaeological Survey of India and is recognized as a world heritage site by UNESCO.


Why did RajaRaja I build this temple ?

It is believed that Rajaraja I wanted to build a grand temple dedicated to Lord Shiva as a way to celebrate his military achievements over Cheras, Pandyas, Chalukyas. He wanted to transition from expanding his empire to consolidating everything under the Cholas. He wanted this temple to stay forever in time serving the people, promoting religion, music and dance. A vast majority of the wealth obtained from conquering Cheras, Pandyas, Chalukyas was donated to this temple putting the money in good service to the people. We need to understand that temples had multiple purposes in those days and are not just places of worship. It functioned like a bank storing the wealth, like an educational institution where painting, dance, music was taught, like a conference hall where events were held, like a rescue center in times of natural calamities, like a library where knowledge was documented, like a charity institution providing free meals to pilgrims, devotees and wayfarers. Building temples were a way to promote the economy by fostering job creation, trade because a temple attracts visitors. Even today, we can find temples in small villages being the center of local trade and prosperity.


What's special about the temple ?

This temple is a demonstration of ancient Engineering prowess. It is built entirely with Granite using interlocking stones and uses no cement, soil, or binding agents. It is estimated that 130,000 tons of granite were used for the construction. It houses one of the largest Shiva Linga in India. The temple vimana tower is 216 feet tall and houses a 80 ton block of stone (stupika) on top. It is still an engineering mystery for some as to how this was carried and placed at a height of 216 ft in 1010 CE time period. It is not a mystery to me because I believe the engineering of Cholas in this specific area during 1010 CE was superior to today's engineering. The temple contains several paintings called Chola Murals or frescoes on the ceilings, floor and walls . These murals used only natural colors. Many of these paintings have been damaged by soot deposits over time. The Archaeological Survey of India, used its unique de-stucco process to separate 16 Nayak paintings, which were superimposed on 1000-year-old Chola frescoes and these have been preserved. The temple contains Tamil and Sanskrit inscriptions. The inscriptions document some of the largest donations given to the temple, like the gold covered finial on the top of the vimana that was donated by RajaRaja I, gold and land donated for long term maintenance of temple. It also documents the minutest details related to temple maintenance like the number of watchmen employed, 400 dancers were employed, and the money spent on purchasing camphor. The sculptures document 81 postures of Bharatanatyam. This is what I meant by "library" documenting knowledge.

Engineers and architects behind the temple ?

The temple inscriptions document the names of three architects who were responsible for the construction of this temple. They were Viracholan kunjaramallan alias Raja Rajan Perundachchan, Nittavinoda Perundachchan and Kandaditiya Perundachchan.

Who is the Guru or Mentor of Raja Raja I ?

Great people often stem from great gurus or mentors. I believe that every person who has made great accomplishments has a great mentor or guru behind the scene. So who was that guru or mentor of Raja Raja I ? Interestingly, that is also documented in sculptures and paintings and it was Karuvurar Siddhar. Karuvarur was born in Karur, Tamil Nadu and his parents were in the hereditary business of forging temple idols out of metals and alloys. So naturally Karuvurar Siddhar excelled as an alchemist. He also engaged in the business of doing sculpture work, and developed various god’s idols through his expert knowledge in the art of sculpting the divine idols. He learnt Siddha Science, Siddha Yoga and Gnana from Siddhar Bogar who created the Murugan deity made out of Navapashanam in Palani Temple. Karuvurar, is said to have helped with the technical challenges faced with the installation of the great Shiva Lingam in the RajaRajeswaram Temple.


Below are some pictures taken by myself during my visit this month.




Thirumalai P

Software engineer

3 个月

Really appreciate your effort.

Krishna Suryanarayanan

Software Engineering

4 个月

Spiritual experience is very close to each person. I could certainly align to what happened to you and the experience post which!!

NANDHA BALAN R S, PMP?

Technical Lead - R&D | Wireless Hardware Design | Doodle Labs - Resilient Private Wireless Networks | Ex BEL | Ex NLC

4 个月

Great work.

要查看或添加评论,请登录

社区洞察

其他会员也浏览了