| All are stone structures built on the same architecture and design |
Amazing: A view of the Big Temple in Thanjavur.
THANJAVUR: It is unique and shows the greatness of kings who built it that three temples built by Chola kings in Thanjavur and Ariyalur districts have been declared as world heritage monuments by United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).
One is the Brihadisvara temple at Thanjavur built by King Raja Raja Cholan, which is celebrating its millennium this year, second is the Iravateswarawamy temple at Darasuram near Kumbkonam built by Raja Raja two and third is the Big Temple at Gangaikonda Cholapuram built by Rajendran Cholan, son of Raja Raja Cholan in Ariyalur district.
The three temples are all stone structures built by Chola Kings almost on the same architecture and design, except for their size.
While the Big Temple at Thanjavur remains big in all its aspects, the towering Vimana to a height of 212 ft, Big Linga at the sanctum sanctorum, huge Nandhi in front, Goddess Periyanayagi also tall in standing posture, Darasuram and Gangaikondacholapuram account for smaller forms of the Big Temple. But then sculptures differ in the three temples though all look like chariot being pulled. It is explicit in Darasuram temple with chakra and elephants pulling the chariot.
ASI maintains the three temples well and almost reconstructed the Darasuram temple.
The construction of the Big Temple, also known as Rajarajeswaran Udaiyar after the great King began in 1003 and was consecrated for worship on the 275th day of the 25th year of the King’s reign (1010 A.D.). The temple is one thousand years old this year.
This edifice is one of the finest and most exquisite specimens of the Chola architecture. Dedicated to Lord Siva, it was built by Raja Raja Cholan I.
The temple is located within a spacious inner courtyard measuring 240 x 120 metres and the vimana soars to 60.90 metres i.e., 212 ft.
The temple is replete with inscriptions relating to its origin and endowments and also carries profusion of friezes from the epics.
-The Hindu
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