THE BIG TEMPLE - Brihadishvara Temple, also called Rajarajesvaram or Peruvudaiyār Kōvil.

Brihadishvara Temple, also called Rajarajesvaram or Peruvudaiyār Kōvil, is a Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva located in South bank of Kaveri river in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, India. It is one of the largest South Indian temples and an exemplary example of a fully realized Dravidian architecture.

Inscriptions‎: ‎Tamil, Sanskrit, Maratha
Area‎: ‎18.07 ha (44.7 acres)
Inscription‎: ‎1987 (11th session)
Deity‎: ‎Shiva
Height: 66 m
Architectural style: Dravidian architecture
Architect: Rajaraja I
Address: Membalam Rd, Balaganapathy Nagar, Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu 613007

The Thanjavur or Brihadisvara temple of Thanjavur, dedicated to Lord Shiva, is called the 'Bada Mandir'. The Brihadisvara Temple at Thanjavur is an excellent example of the temple crafts of India. It is one of the largest temples in India and is an excellent specimen of Chola dynasty architecture.

Brihadeeshwara Temple is a revered temple for Hindus, which they bestow to Lord Shiva (The God of destruction). This temple is one of the largest temples of India, and one of supreme brilliances of Indian architecture. Category : Archaeological site and Southeastern Asian Religious structure of Hindus.

How old is Brihadeeswarar?

1,010

c. 1010

Brihadeeswara Temple/Age

Built in the year 1010 CE by Raja Raja Chola in Thanjavur, the temple is popularly known as the Big Temple. It turned 1000 years old in September 2010.

What is famous Thanjavur?

Thanjavur is an important center of South Indian religion, art, and architecture. Most of the Great Living Chola Temples, which are UNESCO World Heritage Monuments, are located in and around Thanjavur. The foremost among these, the Brihadeeswara Temple, is located in the centre of the city.

How was Tanjore Big Temple built?

The temple is built of 130,000 tons of granite though there was no quarry within a 100-km radius of the temple site. The temple completed 1000 years in 2010 and was built after Vedic structures built by Hindu Kings in Sri Lanka. It is home to the largest Shiv Lingas in India. 

Which river flows near Thanjavur?

Cauvery River

Kudamurutti River a tributary of the Kaveri, is one of the five sacred rivers flows in Thiruvaiyaru in the Thanjavur District of the state of Tamil Nadu, in southeastern India. Kudamurutti River joins the Cauvery River at Tiruchirapalli.

Why Brihadeshwara Temple is so famous?

This temple is in the thanjavur city. most popular temple in south india. ... Popularly known as as Brihadeeswarar Temple, Rajarajeswaram and RajaRajeshwara Temple, this popular Hindu temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Erected by Raja Raja Chola I, this temple is a wonderful example of Tamil architecture.

Which temple has no shadow in India?

Brihadeeswarar Temple

The Brihadeeswarar Temple That Does Not Cast Shadow. The Brihadeeswarar Temple is one of the temple under UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Brihadeeswarar temple is popularly known as Periya Kovil and PeruvudaiyarKovil temple. The temple has beautiful architecture.

Why is Brihadeshwara Temple misfortune?

They believe that visiting Brihadeshwara Temple in Thanjavur will bring bad luck. In 1984, prime minister Indira Gandhi and chief minister M G Ramachandran went to the temple to unveil a statue of Raja Raja Chola. While the PM was assassinated that year, MGR swooned outside the temple and suffered a stroke.

 

The construction of the world’s first known and only shallow Shiv temple built by interlocking stones and not by binding them is still a great mystery to the people of world who are devoid of knowledge based on Vedas and ancient Hindu texts. With the blessing of Shiv Shankar Hindu King RajaRaja Chola.

 

 Some of the mysteries of the Thanjavur (Tanjore) big temple are:

1.     Underground passages in Thanjavur 216 feet Temple

2.     Huge cap stone at the top of Thanjavur Shiv Temple

3.     Painting in Thanjavur Big temple

4.     Granite stones used for the Mandir construction

5.     Cutting and carving of Granite stones for Building Shiv Temple

6.     Secret passages in Thanjavur Big temple

7.     Shadow of Thanjavur Shiv Temple

 

The Tanjore temple is on the top Archaeologist List of top picks for its unsolved mysteries and engineering feats in the 11th -century.

Called the Big Temple, it lies is in the Thanjavur district of Tamilnadu. Built on the banks of the river Cauvery, where the water was diverted to the moat, this temple is made entirely of granite, and it stands tall amidst fortified walls. The closest airports are Tiruchirappalli and Madurai and closest seaport is the Karaikal port.

 

The Tanjore Temple is an architectural marvel, which stumps historians even today.

 

How big was the temple built?

8 Astonishing Facts about the Tanjore Temple

1.     The temple is built of 130,000 tons of granite though there was no quarry within a 100-km radius of the temple site.

2.     The temple completed 1000 years in 2010 and was built after Vedic structures built by Hindu Kings in Sri Lanka. It is home to the largest Shiv Lingas in India.

3.     The temple is 216 ft (66-m) tall and has the world’s tallest Vimanam. The Kumbum or spire on top of the Gopuram weighs 80 tons. Placing this single rock at the top of the spire is an unexplained engineering feat even today.

4.     This tall temple tower is made using interconnected stones without the use of binding material, which is unheard of even today. The engineers are still baffled at how such a marvel was achieved in the 11th-century.

5.     The inner sanctum (Garbhagriha) where the Shiva lingam is known to create a large amount of electromagnetic energy. The 80-tonne stone spire helps to conduits the energy inside the temple to keep its piety and spirituality. The positive energy beaming within the temple is said to have a soothing and peaceful effect on the devotees.

6.     The only temple where the tower’s (Gopuram) shadow does not appear on the ground at noon.

7.     A majestic Nandi (bull), that is 5.94 x 2.51 x 3.66 m (19.4 x 8.23 x 12 ft) guards the entrance to the temple. It is the second largest Nandi carved out of a single stone in India.

8.     The deity was originally called Rajarajeshwar, which was later named Brihadeeshwara or the Great Ishwara during the Maratha rule.

Kalkunte Agraharam (Lord Ranganatha) 

Kalkunte Agraharam is located in South of Bangalore in Hoskote Taluk and Bangalore Rural District on NH-207,about 35km away from Bangalore city.This village has a mix of population speaking  Kannada,Telugu and Tamil due to the confluence of 3 States, though the education medium is Kannada.

 Historically Kalkunte has been under the Vijayanagaram Empire later ruled by Magadi Kempegowda and subsequently passed onto the then Maharaja of Mysore.

The Communities arrival to Kalkunte :

The Lord Sri Ranganatha :

The Phalashruthi for conducting Garudotsavam in Kalkunte Agraharam :

Suvarnamukhi Anjaneya Temple

1.5kms from Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple behind the mountain, inside the Bannerghatta forest is the famous Suvarnamukhi Kalyani. The water in this Kalyani is believed to have curative powers. Locals will tell you that a dip here will cure you of several  diseases.

This is the place where Emperor Janamejaya took bathe and prayed after which he was released from sarpa dosha or the curse of the snake. He also got a golden body after he had bathed in this pod. Hence, it is called Suvarnamukhi. He then consecrated the idol of Champakadhama Swamy (Sri Champakadhama Swamy Devalaya)

The Pushkarini, Kalyani or pond is emptied once an year so that the rock at the bottom, which is engraved with the image of Anjaneya, maybe worshipped. After worship, water is once again let into the pond.

You can start your trek to the overhanging hill either from the Champakadhama Swamy Temple or from Kalkare, a small village. The path will lead you to Suvarnamukhi Hill.

The Kadu Malleshwara Temple Kannada: ಕಾಡು ಮಲ್ಲೇಶ್ವರ is a 17th-century A.D. Hindu temple dedicated to the Shiva located in the Malleshwaram locality of Bengaluru, India.

The temple was built in the 17th century A.D. by Venkoji, the brother of the Maratha King Shivaji in Dravidian style of architecture.[1] Shiva is worshipped as Mallikarjun. One part of the temple, Nandishwara Teertha Temple (Basava Theertha), is in front of the temple. It is said to be the main source or birthplace of the Vrishabhavathi River.

The main annual festival is Shivaratri. The locality of Malleshwaram is named after this temple

 Champakadhama Temple - Lord Champakadhama incarnation of Lord Vishnu

The Champakadhama Temple is located in a distance of 20 km from Bangalore in Bannerghatta. This historical Champakadhama temple at Bannerghatta is dedicated to Lord Champakadhama incarnation of Lord Vishnu. The temple attracts huge number of devotees from Bangalore city and surroundings.

 The Temple is maintained by Government of Karnataka. It houses unique stone scriptures. Champakadhama is another name of Lord Rama or Vishnu.

Champakadhama Temple

Near To Bannerghata National Park,

Bannerghatta Road, Bangalore - 560076

Sri Venkateswara swami - Chicago (Special Event Oct-2019)

 Thousands of devotees from the mid western states, especially from Chicago land used to travel to Pittsburgh to have darshan of Sri Venkateswara swami. While the experience was spiritually rewarding, the time and effort required to make the trip was making it difficult for many to have his darshan as often as their hearts desired. Many felt a void in their spiritual lives and their discontent was wide spread. The state of affairs continued until 1985. As a result of philanthropy of nine families who donated 20 acres of land with a farm house in Aurora (a far west suburb of Chicago), as a site for the proposed Balaji temple, a beginning was made in the realization of a dream of many. Since Sri Venkateswara swami (Balaji) temple is an institution that has to serve innumerable generations to come, plans were drawn on a magnificent scale related to the means available and the needs of the moment. No pains were spared in making its designs meet the agamic space requirements when at the same time ensuring that it also meets the local building codes, structural safety standards and the needs of the community.

Special Event Report for Oct-2019

 Top 10 Must Visit Temples in Bengaluru (Old name is Bangalore)

 Bengaluru has over 1,000 temples both old and new. In the heart of this modern IT city are temples that date back as early as the 10th century. Here is a look at 10 of the most famous temples in Bangalore city.

1. Chokkanathaswamy Temple

 Nestled in a place called Domlur near the Airport is Benagluru’s oldest temple. This temple was built in the 10th century by the Cholas and the presiding deity is Lord Vishnu. The temple which was once in shambles was renovated 20 years ago.

On the pillars of this temple we see Lord Vishnu’s Dashavathars. Another interesting feature is the pranic energy felt in the temple.

2. Bull Temple at Basavanagudi (Dodda Basavana Gudi)

This temple is situated in South Bangalore’s NR Colony. The temple was built in the year 1537 by the local ruler of the erstwhile Vijayanagara Empire. The granite structure of the statue of Nandi the Hindu demi-god shaped as a bull is said to be cut out of a single piece of rock.

This is supposed to be the biggest temple of Nandi in the world measuring 15ft in in height and 20 feet in length. The actual temple is small consisting only of the shrine.

There is also an idol of Lord Ganesha, nearby. Every year on the last Monday and Tuesday of the Hindu month of Karthika a groundnut fair is held in the temple premises and the nut is offered to the deity. This fair is known as Kadalekkayi Parishe.

3. Dodda Ganesha Temple at Basavanagudi

This monolithic Ganesha   is in the same temple complex as the Nandi statue. It stands about 18 ft. in height and 16 ft. in width.  This Ganapati is popularly known as Shakthi Ganapati or Satya Ganapati.

The idol is adorned with different decorations each day of the week. On one of the days this huge idol is covered in butter weighing over 100 kg’s.

People from different walks of life come here to seek blessings of Lord Ganesha.

4. Gavi Gangadareshwara Temple

This Cave Temple is an example of Indian rock-cut architecture. This 9th century temple is said to have been cut out of a single rock and is also famous for its stone discs in the forecourt. It is one amongst the few temples in Bangalore dedicated to Lord Shiva, the main idol being a Shivalinga. The front of the temple is adorned by a sculptor of Nandi.

The temple also has a rare sculpture of the fire god Agni, with his two heads, seven hands and three legs. This temple see’s the largest crowd on the festival of Shivaratri. Devotees gather here on Makara Sankaranti day when it is believed that at a particular moment in the evening the sun’s rays fall directly on the Shivalinga inside the cave.

Temple timings: 7.30 AM to 12.00 pm and again from 5 PM to 8.30 PM.

5. The ISKON

Sri Radha Krishna Chandra Temple- This temple is situated at Hare Krishna Hill at West Chord road. This Neo-Classical temple is attached to a cultural complex occupying a seven acre hillock.

It was built to commemorate the birth centennial of Sri Prabhupada the founder of ISKON. With its ornate temple arches, fountains and elaborated Rajagopuram this temple is a feast for the eyes.

The four temple Gopurams are attached by a glass canopy. The deities worshiped are Sri Sri Radha Krishnachandra, Sri Sri Krishna Balarama, Sri Sri Nitai Gauranga, Sri Srinivasa Govinda and Sri Prahlada Narasimha.

There is also a Vedic Museum, an exhibition area, and a lecture hall. The ISKON Vedic Theatre where multimedia Vedic films are shown.

The Temple also has lodging facilities for devotees.

Temple timings: 4:15 AM to 5:00 AM; 7:15 AM to 1:00 PM; 4:00 PM to 8:20 PM

6. The Shiva Temple on Airport Road

It is impossible to miss the 65 foot high Statute of Lord Shiva seated in Lotus position, on Airport Road. Built in the year 1995 this architectural wonder is a must visit place for all tourists. It has a grand look and a towering presence.  Over 400,000 devotees visit this statue on the day of festivals.

It has the backdrop of Mount Kailash the Lord’s heavenly abode and the river Ganga flowing from his matted locks as depicted in mythology.

Temple timings: 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM.

7. Banashankari Temple

Situated in the busy Kanakapura Road is the famous temple of Banashankari Amma .This temple was built in the year 1915 and the deity Banashankari Amma too was positioned there the same year. The Goddess Banashankari Amma is worshiped by many during the Rahukala to remove all obstacles and hardships.

Though the temple is open on all days of the week, devotees throng the temple from dawn to dusk on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays to offer special pujas to the goddess.

The main festivals celebrated are the Birthday of the deity on the 13th of September the, Dashera festival in October and the temple anniversary during Pushya Maasa which falls between the December and January.

Temple timings: 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM.

8. Venkataramanswamy Temple, Basavanagudi

This temple is situated at Visvesvarapuram at Basavanagudi. This temple was built over 300 years ago and is home to some very interesting and intricate carvings.  Though it is a relatively small temple the lion brackets and carvings of human and animal figures make it a unique example of Dravidian civilization.

The figures of the Gods Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva adorn the walls. The idol in the sanctum sanitarium, is Lord Venkatarama. The people not only come to this temple to pray but also to marvel at the architecture.

Temple timings:  6:00 AM to 8:00 PM.

9. Sugreeva Venkateshwara Temple

This temple Located in the Balepet area houses idols of Sugreeva and Venkateshwara. In the sanctum sanatorium placed on a pedestal is the temple i of Lord Venkateshwara.

The Sugreeva idol, standing six feet in high may be mistaken for Lord Hanuman. The long teeth on either side of the mouth are the only thing which helps one understands the difference.

Temple timings: 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM.

10. The Kanyakaparameshwari Temple

This temple is situated in in Kumara Park. The Goddess Kanyakaparameshwari is the main deity in this temple. The temple is also unique because of its Marble work as well as the Murals done on its walls.

The murals depict the scenes from the Bhagavad  Gita and Vasavi history. Murals of holy places as well as of ancient Rishi’s can also be seen.

The Darpana Mandira meaning mirror temple is also a main feature of this temple.