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.
That is an imposing temple, very nice shots.
ReplyDeleteGreat Temple. It is really an architectural excellence !
ReplyDeleteWonderful ....
ReplyDeleteeautiful temple and a ice post.
ReplyDeletewww.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!
ReplyDeleteHow 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!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful 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?)
ReplyDeleteI am so fascinated by these temples. When in India, I wanted to spend hours there, and sometimes did, but it was not enough.
ReplyDeleteThat's a beautiful temple and a lovely sky behind it.
ReplyDeleteThe temple is definitely an architectural masterpiece.
ReplyDeleteThanks 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.
ReplyDeleteThis is one of the most beautiful temples.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful 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!
ReplyDeleteSylvia
That's an impressive temple!
ReplyDeleteThat's huge and beautiful!
ReplyDeleteSkyshot, have a great weekend ahead.
nice temple view beautifully captured...
ReplyDeletethanks for info also
The artistry and craftsmanship is superb!
ReplyDeleteFantastic photos of this awe-inspiring temple, Rajesh!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your weekend!
Such gorgeous architecture!
ReplyDeleteI love these photos with excellent frames of the Temple Brihadeswara, beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThis is absolutely magnificent and such a special structure.;) Love the image with your children;)
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend,
xoxo
Great shot of the temple . The standing guards and the lion sculpture are my favorites. Have a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful architecture ! but the name is impossible to pronounce, lol !
ReplyDeleteÉ impressionante a quantidade de detalhes artísticos, as esculturas são preciosas...
ReplyDeleteBom fim de semana!
Beijinhos.
Brasil
¸.•°`♥✿⊱╮
°`♥✿
Awesome! Great composition at the bottom.
ReplyDeleteEvery time I see temple like this I always wonder how the people built it. It's very beautiful!
ReplyDeleteSWF
Impressive temple. Great shots.
ReplyDeleteInteresting description on the temple! Wonderful capture... It’s a must visit on my list.
ReplyDeleteA magnifiiently build temple.
ReplyDeleteGanglai.... yikes that is a long name!! Wonderful photos Raj. Happy SSS.
ReplyDeleteJust think of all the time and workmanship that goes into the construction of a treasure like this! It's beautiful!
ReplyDeleteStunning as always!
ReplyDeleteJohn
Elegance indeed! Beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThe 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
ReplyDeleteGreat shots, as always.
ReplyDeleteI 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!
ReplyDeleteThank 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.
ReplyDeleteThis is a very impressive building. It's amazing what people could build a thousand years ago without any power tools!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful pictures, beautiful country. I am invite you to subscribe to my "Life in Pictures" meme. Have a nice week. Greetings from Romania.
ReplyDeleteThe children sitting under Lord Shiva seem to be blissfully content.
ReplyDeleteShadowy Reflections
I am glad that I found your blog - it is like traveling to India!!
ReplyDeleteSuch a marvelous structure! One of my favs
ReplyDeletei found the pic where the two lil ones are sitting under the huge sculpture very cute :)
ReplyDeletebeautiful clicks -awesomeee :) :)
ReplyDeleteamazing architecture and great shots, Rajesh.:)
ReplyDeleteYou have a really good travelogue, Rajesh. Keep up the good work.
ReplyDeleteThank you all for appreciating this beautiful temple.
ReplyDelete