Thursday, March 7, 2013

Lion Well, Gangaikondacholapuram

Around the Brihadeeswara Temple of Gangaikondacholapuram there are many shrines and structures which are built around the same time as the main temple  in 1020-1029. One of them is Lion well. 



The well in the temple premises is considered a sacred place and water from this was used for all the activities at the temple. The interesting aspect is entrance to the well is through a Lion sculpture which is close to the well. A flight of steps takes one to the bottom of the well.



38 comments:

Ramakrishnan said...

This is an awesome structure. I was in GKC in December 2012 & it is an awesome temple of great proportions..

Vineeta Yashsavi said...

That's very interesting...

George said...

This is absolutely fascinating. What an impressive structure.

Lowell said...

I'm glad that you got some people in the 2nd shot to give some perspective as to this lion's size. Most interesting. I'd swear that lion is smiling, too!

Anonymous said...

What a fabulous lion statue!

Anonymous said...

oh on peut alors y entrer ....

Anita said...

i love this photoes!!!!!xxxx

Sylvia K said...

Oh, awesome indeed, Rajesh! And what a terrific capture for the day!! Have a great weekend!

Laura said...

a fierce entryway Rajesh:-)

Ebie said...

Its nice to know and learn about other cultures. Awesome structure!~

HansHB said...

Lovely post, nice temple!

eileeninmd said...

Awesome looking structure, a neat place to hold the well. Thanks for sharing, have a great day!

vincibene said...

WOW! That is a terrific lion!

toby said...

That is just wonderful! If you like, you can post it to my meme, Whimsical Windows, Delirious Doors! It certainly qualifies :)

krishna said...

awesome!!!

desi Traveler said...

Magnificent...

Photo Cache said...

very cool. i'd like to go there.

Shail said...

I hope I get to visit this place some time in the future.

travel ufo said...

नाम का साइज काफी बडा है कई बार में तो पढा गया । उटी की तरह छोटा नाम नही है

SandyCarlson said...

Your images make me want to be there.

Meoww said...

Yes. A huge temple indeed! Nice shot.

Yogi♪♪♪ said...

Wow, impressive and so old.

Lina Gustina said...

Very impressive Lion Well!

http://www.womenandperspectives.com/2013/03/sky-watch-yesterday-sunset.html

Indrani said...

Yes, I remember.
Great shot!

Leovi said...

Yes, I like that lion, great pictures.

Zuzana said...

Such a fairy tale like lion, for some reason it reminds me of the sphinx in Egypt.;)
Have a great weekend,
xoxo

Carver said...

The lion is magnificent.

Jeevan said...

Yes, it’s interesting to see a well enclosed through a lion sculpture. I need to visit this temple... hope to catch as soon possible.

Anonymous said...

A very special well.

Rajesh said...

Thank you all for appreciating this unique well.

Jim said...

Wonderful.

Catherine said...

great expression on the lion's face...

LV said...

That is one of the things I enjoy about blogging. Get to see so many different things and places I would never see otherwise.

R Niranjan Das said...

Nice structure.

www.rajniranjandas.blogspot.in

Aarti said...

was fascinated seeing this well. they were renovating the place when i went in Nov

Vane M. said...

Imponente e original, gostei. Um abraço!

Deepa Gopal said...

O wow! Beautiful and different :)

Sunita Sriram said...

Unique in every sense of the term...awesome..