The Brihadeswara Temple which is constructed in 1020-1029 AD is the main attraction at Gangaikondacholapuram. The temple complex built by King Rajendra Chola occupied 6 acres of land. This temple is called the second Brihadeswara Temple and is known as the Gangaikkondacholeswara Temple.
This temple was constructed as an attempt to build a temple, which excels in architectural splendor than the Big Temple at Thanjavur. Built using hard southern granite stone has beautiful carvings all around the temple and some of them are very unique and masterpieces.The temple showcases gracefulness and elegance of the Pallava and the earlier Chola empires.
The main temple consists of a sanctum tower, a big rectangular mandapa called the mahamandapa with an intervening vestibule called mukhamandapa. The tower is 180 feet tall and consists of eight stages and is carved intricately. This temple of Lord Shiva is built in such a way that the interiors of the temple always maintained in almost pleasant temperature condition. Irrespective of the seasonal changes the temperature inside the temple is always optimal.
The guardians carved on either side of the entrance of the temple are very huge. This can be seen from the image above.
The Nandhi constructed using bricks and lime that is facing the Brihadisvara is 15 feet in length, 8 feet breadth and 11 feet in height. There is also a well in the temple complex for which entrance is trough the lion sculpture. There are also many sub-shrines in the temple complex.
There are many sub shrines around the temple. They are: Amman shrine, Chandigeswarar shrine, Mahisasuramardhini shrine, Ganapathy shrine.
This temple was constructed as an attempt to build a temple, which excels in architectural splendor than the Big Temple at Thanjavur. Built using hard southern granite stone has beautiful carvings all around the temple and some of them are very unique and masterpieces.The temple showcases gracefulness and elegance of the Pallava and the earlier Chola empires. The main temple consists of a sanctum tower, a big rectangular mandapa called the mahamandapa with an intervening vestibule called mukhamandapa. The tower is 180 feet tall and consists of eight stages and is carved intricately. This temple of Lord Shiva is built in such a way that the interiors of the temple always maintained in almost pleasant temperature condition. Irrespective of the seasonal changes the temperature inside the temple is always optimal. The guardians carved on either side of the entrance of the temple are very huge. This can be seen from the image above.The Nandhi constructed using bricks and lime that is facing the Brihadisvara is 15 feet in length, 8 feet breadth and 11 feet in height. There is also a well in the temple complex for which entrance is trough the lion sculpture. There are also many sub-shrines in the temple complex.There are many sub shrines around the temple. They are: Amman shrine, Chandigeswarar shrine, Mahisasuramardhini shrine, Ganapathy shrine.
47 comments:
That is an imposing temple, very nice shots.
Great Temple. It is really an architectural excellence !
Wonderful ....
eautiful temple and a ice post.
www.rajniranjandas.blogpot.com
I am glad you ask children to sit in from of the statue so we can have a better idea of its proportions! It is huge! An other outstanding temple!
How many temples are there in India? And how did people build this stuff so long ago without access to modern machinery and computers? The artistry is exquisite! Thanks for placing your boys in the one photo as that helps us gain a sense of scale!
Beautiful Rajesh. Have you ever given any history of the people who built these beautiful temples? (I mean the actual artisans who worked on them. How many people worked on them? How they were trained?)
I am so fascinated by these temples. When in India, I wanted to spend hours there, and sometimes did, but it was not enough.
That's a beautiful temple and a lovely sky behind it.
The temple is definitely an architectural masterpiece.
Thanks for sharing it's unique beauty.
You have posted many breathtaking temples, this is just more so,if that is possible. Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.
This is one of the most beautiful temples.
Beautiful photo, too.
Regards and best wishes
What a gorgeous temple and the perfect skies for a back drop, Rajesh! Terrific captures for the day! Hope you and your family have a wonderful weekend!
Sylvia
That's an impressive temple!
That's huge and beautiful!
Skyshot, have a great weekend ahead.
nice temple view beautifully captured...
thanks for info also
The artistry and craftsmanship is superb!
Fantastic photos of this awe-inspiring temple, Rajesh!
Enjoy your weekend!
Such gorgeous architecture!
I love these photos with excellent frames of the Temple Brihadeswara, beautiful.
This is absolutely magnificent and such a special structure.;) Love the image with your children;)
Have a great weekend,
xoxo
Great shot of the temple . The standing guards and the lion sculpture are my favorites. Have a great weekend!
What a beautiful architecture ! but the name is impossible to pronounce, lol !
É impressionante a quantidade de detalhes artÃsticos, as esculturas são preciosas...
Bom fim de semana!
Beijinhos.
Brasil
¸.•°`♥✿⊱╮
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Awesome! Great composition at the bottom.
Every time I see temple like this I always wonder how the people built it. It's very beautiful!
SWF
Impressive temple. Great shots.
Interesting description on the temple! Wonderful capture... It’s a must visit on my list.
A magnifiiently build temple.
Ganglai.... yikes that is a long name!! Wonderful photos Raj. Happy SSS.
Just think of all the time and workmanship that goes into the construction of a treasure like this! It's beautiful!
Stunning as always!
John
Elegance indeed! Beautiful.
The sculptures at the entrance at gigantic. Seeing the people seated there really lets you see for huge they are. This is one amazing temple. It makes me think of a very ornate pyramid. A wonderful capture. genie
Great shots, as always.
I love the pix with 2 kiddos.
Hope you have a great w/end.
Greetings,
/chie
Such splendid detail in the towering temple! Especially love the frozen action pose of the guardian! An intriguing post!
Thank you all for appreciating this architectural masterpiece. Yes, it is a wonder how they were able to built such temples without the aid of modern technology.
This is a very impressive building. It's amazing what people could build a thousand years ago without any power tools!
Beautiful pictures, beautiful country. I am invite you to subscribe to my "Life in Pictures" meme. Have a nice week. Greetings from Romania.
The children sitting under Lord Shiva seem to be blissfully content.
Shadowy Reflections
I am glad that I found your blog - it is like traveling to India!!
Such a marvelous structure! One of my favs
i found the pic where the two lil ones are sitting under the huge sculpture very cute :)
beautiful clicks -awesomeee :) :)
amazing architecture and great shots, Rajesh.:)
You have a really good travelogue, Rajesh. Keep up the good work.
Thank you all for appreciating this beautiful temple.
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