Brihadeeswarar Temple, Gangaikonda Cholapuram

Architecture

Brihadeeswara temple is built on an elevated structure with the courtyard measuring 560 ft (170 m) by 320 ft (98 m). The presiding deity, Brihadeeswarar, in the form of Lingam is housed in the central shrine. The principal section of the court measures 104 m (341 ft) by 30.5 m (100 ft) with an east-west axis. The lingam is 4 m (13 ft) tall and the base has a circumference of 18 m (59 ft). The sanctum measures 100 sq ft (9.3 m²) and is approached through columned Mukhamandapa (prayer hall) and an Ardhamandapa (hall of sacrifice). The sanctum is guarded by Dvarapalas, the guardian deities, each 6 ft (1.8 m) tall. The vimanam (temple tower) is 55 m (180 ft) high, which is 3 m (9.8 ft) smaller than the Thanjavur temple. Compared to the Thanjavur temple, which has straight contours, this temple has concave contours, divided into eight zones. Experts believe that the decision to make it smaller than the Thanjavur temple, built by Raja Raja Chola I (984 - 1014 CE), the father of Rajendra I is considering the father - son hereditary aspect and also to treat this as the feminine equivalent of the Thanjavur temple. The image of the Lingam (an iconic representation of Shiva) is 4 m (13 ft) tall and is the largest for any Shiva temple. There is an image of Nandi located axially 200 m (660 ft) facing the sanctum, which is constructed in such a way that it reflects Sun light on to the sanctum. The bull is made of stucco and fallen stones. A stone named Chandrakanta is laid in the sanctum that keeps the sanctum cool during summer and warm during winters. The image of Periyanagai is housed in a south facing shrine and is 9.5 ft (2.9 m) tall. There are five shrines around the sanctum and a Lion well, which is believed to be an addition during the 19th century. There are around 50 sculptural relief around the walls of the sanctum, three of which of Nataraja, Saraswathi and Shiva garlanding a devotee being the most prominent. Some believe that the devotee is Chandesa (one of the 63 Nayanmars), while others consider it that of king Rajendra himself. There are other niches around the walls of the temple depicting various forms of Shiva, Durga and Vishnu. There are many bronze statues in the temple depicting Chola art of the 11 century, with the one of Subramanya being the most recognised. The temple has a monolithic representation of Navagrahas, the nine planetary deities.

History

The temple was constructed in 1035 AD by Rajendra Chola I (1014-44 CE), the son of the famous Chola king Raja Raja Chola I, who built the Brihadeeswarar Temple at Thanjavur. Some experts believe that the temple was built during 1020, during the 6th regnal year, but inscriptions indicate the 20th regnal year, which is 1035 AD. Rajendra wanted to emulate the temple built by his father after his victory in the Ganges over the Pala Dynasty. He assumed the name of Gangaikonda Cholan, meaning the one who conquered the Ganges. He established Gangaikonda Cholapuram as his capital from the medieval Chola capital of Thanjavur, which would go on to become the capital for the next 250 years. It is believed from the inscriptions and the excavations made during the 1980s that it was a planned city with palaces and fortified walls, with the temple in the centre. It is believed that Rajendra redirected all the endowments of the Brihadeeswar temple at Thanjavur to this temple. Rajendra is believed to have involved the same craftsmen used by his father and transferred them from Thanjavur. Most of the Chola kings after Rajendra I had their coronation at Gangaikonda Cholapuram. It is believed that Kulothunga Chola I, the successor of Rajendra built fortifications around the city. The Pandyas overpowered the Cholas during the later part of 13th century and to avenge their previous defeats, they destroyed the city and palaces, leaving just the temple and its surroundings.

Culture

Gangaikondacholpuram and the temple find mention in many of the contemporary works of the period like Muvar Ula and Kalingathuparani. Scholars like Vasanthi believe that the 11th century Tamil poet Kambar's description of Ayodhya was based on the streets and city structure of Gangaikonda Cholapuram. Similar correlation is derived based on the works of Sekkizhar in Periya Puranam. Muvar Ula, a treatise on the Cheras, Cholas and Pandyas, gives vivid account of the city and the temple. Like the Thanjavur temple, this temple is also believed to have emerged as a centre of social, economical and political activities. Cultural activities like music, dance and art in the form of bronzes were encouraged and staged in the temple.

Experts believe that the Dravidian architecture attained its supreme form of expression in the Brihadeeswarar Temple at Thanjavur and at this temple. The temple is declared as a heritage monument and administered by the Archaeological Survey of India as a protected monument. The temple is one of the most visited tourist attractions in Tamil Nadu. The temple is declared a CE UNESCO World Heritage Site, along with the Brihadeeswara Temple at Thanjavur and Airavatesvara temple at Darasuram that are referred as the Great Living Chola Temples. The temple was added to the list of Great Living Chola Temples in the year 2004. All of the three temples were built by the Cholas between the 10th and 12th centuries CE and have a lot of similarities. The ASI made additions to the shopping and visitor attraction offices in the temple in 2009 that included a museum, restaurant, shops and restrooms under the aegis of the Hindu Religious and Endowment Board of the Government of Tamil Nadu. The temples are classified as "Great Living Chola temples" as the temples are alive in cultural aspects and worship practises in modern times. The millennium celebrations of the coronation of the Rajendra Chola was celebrated for two days during July 2014 in the temple.

Festivals and worship practises

Though it is administered by the Archaeological Survey of India as a monument, worship practises are followed similar to other Shiva temples in Tamil Nadu. The temple follows Saivite tradition and the temple priests perform the pooja (rituals) during festivals and on a daily basis. The temple rituals are performed four times a day: Kalasanthi at 8:30 a.m., Uchikalam at 12:30 p.m., Sayarakshai at 6:00 p.m., and Arthajamam between 7:30  - 8:00 p.m. Each ritual has three steps: alangaram (decoration), neivethanam (food offering) and deepa aradanai (waving of lamps) for both Brihadeeswarar and Periya Nayagi. There are weekly, monthly and fortnightly rituals performed in the temple. The temple is open from 6 am - 12:30 pm and 4-9:00 pm on all days. The temple has many festivals in its calendar, with the Shivarathri during the Tamil month of Masi (February - March), Aipassi Pournami during Aipassi (October - November) and Thiruvadirai during Margazhi (December - January) being the most prominent. Annabhishekam, the ablution of the presiding deity with cooked rice is performed during Aipasi festival.