Great Living Temples – I

With its origins going back to the 10th century - the extremely well preserved UNESCO world heritage Brihadeswara Temple at Thanjavur reflects the skills of imperial Cholas who ruled peninsular India in the medieval period. Standing within a fort whose walls were added four centuries later, the `Vimana' (tower built over the main sanctum) is 200 feet high & built of stone, while the crown (Shikara) on top of tower weighs 81 tonnes & was carried up a ramp specially built from a site 6.1 kilometers away. The temple itself is poetry in stone & is surrounded by well carved shrines on its corners.

The outer part around temple sanctum known as `Prakaram' is 500 feet in length & 250 feet in width, while the boundary walls house long pillared corridors, abounding in murals, Shiva Lingams & Nandis. This imposing temple consists of four compartments, comprising of the Sanctum, the corridor/vestibule, Assembly Hall & the Main Hall. The architectural grandeur & grandeur often makes visitors wonder how such an imposing monument could've built so long ago in time.