THANJAVUR - BIG TEMPLE, PAINTING, PLATES , MUSIC AND DANCE

Thanjavur is the head quarters of chola legacy between the 10th and 14th Centuries and become a centre of the learning and culture. Now, It is the headquarter of the district of the same name Thanjavur District., the "Rice Bowl" of the Tamil Nadu, is also known for its exquisite handicrafts, bronzes and South Indian Musical Instruments and Thanajvur paintings and Thanjavur temple statues. The town of Thanjavur was the Headquarter of the Glorious Chola Empire of Tamilnadu,and later on the Headquarter of the Naicks and the Marathas. The important places are Bragatheeswarar Big temple, Mariammam Temple, Palace, Sivagangai park, Tamil University , manimandapam, South zone Cultural Centre. The cultural value of Thanjavur is Bharatanatyam Quartet, Veena , Paintings, Plates, dancing doll,  Karakattam, Urumi melam and so on.

According to a legend Tanjore derived its name from a Gaint named “Thanjan” who once made his home here. Thanjan’s request at the time of death that the city might be named after him, was granted. Thanjavur the Royal city of the Great Cholas, the Nayaks and Marathas which is one of the big town in the state of Tamil nadu and is situated on the main route of the Southern Railways , 350 Kms south of Chennai, it is considered to be one of the oldest town I th country having more than 2000 years of its historical background. It is situated amidst th vast deltaic tract of the Cauvery known as the granary of south India. As the capital of the successive Ancient Hindu Dynasties and in all ages one of the Chief Political, Literary and Religious Centre of South India. The Cholas culture and Art may be called the gift of the Cauvery a glorious heritage which we should feel proud of.

Thanjavur Kingdoms

1. Karikal Cholan 1st Century AD
2. Vijayalaya Cholan (A.D. 850-871)
3. Aditya Cholan (A.D. 871-907)
4. Paranthaka (A.D. 907-955)
5. Rajaraja The Great (A.D. 985 - 1014)
6. Rajendra Chola (A.D. 1012 - 1044)
7. Rajendra’s sons (A.D. 1018 -1070)
8. Kulothunga Chola (A.D. 1070-1125)
9. Raja Raja II  (A.D. 1146-1173)
10. Kulothunga III (A.D. 1178-1218)
11. Various Chieftains  (A.D. 1220-1532)
12. Sevappa Nayak (A.D. 1532-1560)
13. Achuthappa Nayak (A.D. 1560-1600)
14. Reghunatha Nayak (A.D. 1600-1634)
15. Vijayaraghava Nayak (A.D. 1634-1675)
16. Ekoji (A.D. 1676-1684)
17. Shahaji (A.D. 1684-1711)
18. Sarfoji (A.D. 1711-1729)
19. Tukkoji (A.D. 1729-1735)
20. Ekoji II Baba Sabeb (A.D. 1735-1737)
21. Pratapasimha (A.D. 1739-1763)
22. Tulajaji (A.D. 1763-1787)
23. Amarsing (A.D. 1787-1798)
24. Sarfoji II (A.D. 1798-1832)
25. Shivaji (A.D. 1833-1855)

The Big Temple Thanjavur - The Monarch and The Monument

Rajaraja Chola’s greatest achievement is the famous Big Bragatheeswarar Temple which stands to day, a colossal monument of his daring conception in architecture. The temple was completed on the 27th day of 25th year of his reign. The origin of the magnificent Sri Brihadeeswarar temple goes back late 10th and early 11th Century.  The great Big Temple is the greatest of Chola Monuments named Sri Rajarajeswaram.  Apart from certain common elements of architecture that seduce us to the right mood, there raises the vast vimana, a gaint in a land of dwarfs, with its multiple stories, from the world of matter to spirit. The top block of the Temple tower rests on a single block of granite weighting 81 tons. It is believed that this block was carried up a specially built ramp built from a site 6 Kms away from here.

The sivalingam – peruvudaiyar is a huge one, set in a sanctum. The grandeur of the architecture and the sculptural expertise speaks volumes of the skills of the imperial cholas.  Several of Bharata Natyam dance Postures,  Manifestations of Siva are depicted in sculptured panels. Thousands of Stucco figures decorate the Vimanam (Temple Tower). The Maha Nandhi (Big Bull) is the in front of the Temple. Entrances to the mandapams and the towered entrances to the Prakarams are majestic and the 500 feet long prakaram surrounds the great temple and the walls surrounding the prakaram is also very big.  

The Encyclopedia Britannica call this place of worshipful awe, “The Grandest Temple in India”, and not for nothing again had the UNESCO declared it  a World Heritage Centre in 1987.  Rajaraja, the Great, he was, he is and he will be, for ever. As Kalki R. Krishnamurthi said, “Everything about Rajaraja was big; his empire was big; his conquests were big; the tempe is big; the lingam, the nandhi and all. He could not think of anything in a small way