| Thanjavur |
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The districts of Thanjavur, Kumbhakonam and Nagappattinam (constituting the erstwhile Thanjauvr district) boast of hundreds of ancient temples. The town of Thanjavur was the seat of the glorious Chola Empire of Tamilnadu, and was later on the seat of the Nayaks and the Marathas. True to art historian Fergusson, the Chola artists conceived like giants and finished like jewellers.
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| Chola History |
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Raja Raja Chola I, was clearly the greatest of the Chola Monarchs. During his reign (985 - 1014 AD) he brought stability to the Chola Kingdom, and restored from obscurity the brilliant Tevaram hymns of the Saivite Nayanmars from obscurity. Raja Raja was a great builder, and the Peruvudaiyar Koyil or the Big Tmeple at Thanjavur was his creation. His son Rajendra Chola (1014 - 1044 AD) was a greater conqueror who marched all the way to the banks of the Ganges. This march was commemorated with a new capital Gangaikonda Cholapuram and another 'Periya Koyil'. Gangai Konda Cholapuram was the capital of the Cholas for about two centuries, although it is nothing more than a village now with this rather well maintained magnificient temple. 35 Kilometers from Thanjavur lies Darasuram, once known as Rajarajapuram - a part of the Chola's secondary capital of Pazhaiyarai. Here is the Airavateeswarar Temple built by Raja Raja II (1146 - 1173). It was during the reign of Kulottunga III (1178 - 1218) that the Kambahareswarar temple at Tribhuvanam was built. |
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| Brihadeeswarar Temple at Thanjavur |
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A 107 paragraph long inscription on the walls of the Vimanam records the contributions of Raja Raja Chola and his sister Kundavai to the Thanjavur temple. The temple stands within a fort, whose walls are later additions built in the 16th century. The towering viman am is about 200 feet in height and is referred to as Dakshina Meru. The octogonal Shikharam rests on a single block of granite weighing 81 tons. It is believed that this block was carried up a specially built ramp built from a site 6 kilometeres away from here. Huge Nandis dot the corners of the Shikharam, and the Kalasam on top by itself is about 3.8 meteres in height. Hundreds of stucco figures bejewel the Vimanam, although it is possible that some of these may have been added on during the Maratha period. The Shivalingam - Peruvudaiyar, Rajarajeswaramudaiyar - is a huge one, set in a two storeyed sanctum, and the walls surrounding the sanctum delight visitors as a storehouse of murals and sculpture.
The long prakaram surrounds the great temple (500 feet/250 feet), and the walls surrounding the prakaram again go back to Raja Raja Cholan's period. The walls house long pillared corridors, which abound in murals, Shiva Lingams and Nandis. The Periya Nayaki temple within the temple is a later addition from the Pandya period, and so is the Subramanyar Temple sung later by the Saint poet Arunagirinathar. |
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| DARASURAM |
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This place is located 34 kilometres away form Thanjavur. There is a temple in this place. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple was built during the rule of the great Rajendra Cholan. Apart form this temple we can find a silk weaving centre in Darasuram. |
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| MANNARGUDI |
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In Mannargudi there is a Rajagopala temple. The temple is dedicated to Lord Krishna. In this temple Lord Krishna is portrayed as Rajagopala. The temple is said to be built during the 12th century. The temple received its patronage from the Nayak Kings also. |
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| SARABESHWARAR TEMPLE |
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The Sarabeshwarar temple is located in Thirupuvanam a place in Thanjavur district. Thirupuvanam is just six Kilometres from Kumbakonam. The Sarabeshwarar temple is said to be built by Kulothunga Chola III. It is said that many kings, lords and rulers worshipped the preceding Deity, Lord Sarabeshwarar and received his blessings. People who worshipped this deity got relieved from problems like Black Magic, Divorce and Enemity. |
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| PULIYUR VYAGRAPUREESWARAR TEMPLE |
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This temple is located more than half a kilometre on the Nagapattinam- Thiruvarur Main road. The exact location is Ramamirdam Bus Terminus. The temple is located in Vyagapuri village, named after Lord Nataraja. People believe that a sacred cow prayed to Lord Shiva to get rid of the wrath posed on it. In the evenings Lord Nataraja is worshipped first and then ceremonies are conducted to other Gods. This temple has another name, Dakshina Chidambaram. Chidambaram is the place where Nataraja temple is located. |
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