Brihadeeswarar Temple

I love this temple very much. The tranquility of Brihadeeswarar Temple creates a perfect atmosphere and ambience for people to do their prayers and also to meditate. And this atmosphere is so unique as though gives more transparent air. But even if you are not in spiritual mood there is much to look and be surprised here.
It is also called the Rajarajeshwara temple after the name of king Rajaraja Chola, one of the greatest Tamil emperors, who built it in honour of Lord Shiva in about 1009 A.D. The temple is constructed with  magnificent architectural taste and refinement, but the main thing - with big religious fidelity to Lord Shiva.
I cut for you a fragment from old tamil film "Rajaraja Cholan" where the great moment of opening of a temple is shown. It is a song  ‘thanjai periya kOvil pallaaNdu vaazhgavE’ that celebrates one of the greatest architectural marvels and bespeaks the greatness of the mighty king who caused the mighty edifice to be erected. Seergazhi Govindarajan begins with ‘nanjaikazhanigaLin naayganE nee vaazhga’,
T.R. Mahalingam follows with ‘nadanamidum kaavErikkaavalanE nee vaazhga’ and
S. Varalakshmi is not far behind with her ‘thanjamena varuvOrkku thanjam vazhangugindRa thanjai peruvudaiya thalaivanE nee vaazhga’ followed by a glorious moment where the 3 golden tenors chant in unison….venjamaril vetRikaNdu anjalikkum makkaLukkOr viNNuyar periya kOyil thandha veera raja raja chOzhanE nee vaazhga...’ great!



The plan of Big Temple is simple. Also it is that case when tell "Everything of Genius Is Simple".



The gopuram is really a marvellous piece of architecture. Inside main temple is a huge stone linga. The barrel vault contains 1008 Lingams. I will never forget the feeling of peace here. You will feel it - just going around!

OM NAMAH SHIVAYA