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Vimana Architecture and various views
The basement of Srivimana is 100 feet by 100 feet square structure and the foundation is raised 20 feet height for the ShriVimana. The Srivimana is 180 feet tall and has 8 stage. The 3 lower most stages look similar in size and huge space is found. The top of shiva lingam can be viewed from 2nd stage. There are four similar Nandhi's on the neck of the Vimana. The Copper bowl (kalasam) is of 7 feet in height. The shadow of the Kalasam is made to fall on the Vimana itself and does not appear on the ground during noon time, during the dawn and dusk the shadow disappears to horizon.
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| South west view | West view | North west view |
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| South view | Main deity resides in the Karpagraham | North view |
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| South east view | East view | North east view |
Peruvudaiyar
The Aavudayar - the base of Lingam(circular outer structure) is 60 feet in circumference. The Bana ( the cylindrical structure of Lingam is 16 and 1/2 feets height and 13 and 1/2 feet in circumference. The Lingam is of Ratsha(giant lingam) category of the 7 types of Lingams.
Chandra Gantha kal Stone
One of the specialty of this temple is the ChandraGantha Stone ( a very special precious gem) is believed to be housed near the Karpagraham (main dieties shrine) which has a property of keeping the environment in such a way that during the winter season the stone emits hot waves and during summer the stone emits cool waves so that the karpagraham is always maintained in almost invariable pleasant temperature condition. No other temple in the world posses this specialty. The contemporary knowledge of Air-conditioning was known during Mediavel cholas and exhibits their knowledge and understanding of material properties that even today not known and previals as secret.
Panoramic view/360 degree of the temple
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| Enjoy the complete panoramic view of Brihadisvara Temple - Gangaikondacholapuram |
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© 2000 - 2004 LRL. Reproduction of photo is prohibited. |
Temple plan
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| Detailed Temple plan with shrine (click on the image for enlarged view) |
View of SriVimana from entrance
As one enters into the temple, can see the huge Dwara palas in the inner compound wall.
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| Entrance - Nandhi - Sri Vimana | A complete front view of Brihadisvara Temple - Gangaikondacholapuram | |
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Temple Information |
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| Temple information in English (click to see the enlarged view) | Temple information in Tamil (click to see the enlarged view) | |
| (courtesy Archaeological survey of India) | ||
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