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Shrines of Brihadisvara Temple |
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Amman shrine
(Click images for enlarged view) |
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Amman shrine is located on the right side of Nandhi mandapa. The deity Periya nayagi amman was originally installed by Rajaraja-I and later moved to this shrine. This shrine is a built by the Pandian King - Jatavarman Sundrapandian on 13th century. Later the huge entrance with numerous stone pillars were built during Vijayanagar during 15th century. The amman shrines' gopuram is less prominent. The entrance hall ceiling consist of huge stone slabs that is supported by long beams and tall pillars. The ceiling slabs are used as canvas to narrate the divine plays of Lord Shiva painted during the Maratta rule Serfoji (1799-1835 A.D). The pillars exhibit many interesting sculptures including the commonly seen Yali (an extinct animal mostly found on temple sculptures only). |
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| Amman shrine | Ceiling paintings of Maratta period found on Amman shrine | ||
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| Yali on the stone pillars at Amman shrine | Entrance hall of Amman shrine | ||
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Ganapathy shrine |
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A small temple located on the southwest corner of the courtyard built by Maratta ruler Serfoji-II on the late 18th century. The outer walls of this shrine have Maratta epigraphs. |
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| Ganapathy shrine | |||
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Subramanian shrine |
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The Subramanian shrine is located on the north-west of the Brihadisvara temple, constructed during 16th century A.D. by Sevappa Nayakkar period. This shrine houses many beautiful sculptures and miniature sculptures. The outer boarders are decorated by flowers with minute details so that the gaps are visible and even a thin stick can pass through as shown in the one of the images below. The Dawarabalas are exceptionally beautiful and one has to stop for a while to gaze the beauty of these two replicas of Nayakkars sculpture work. The Gomuga vasal the Abishegam outlet from the Mulasthana is decorated and marvelous, the image of the gomuga vasal shown is the collection below. If one sees the Brihadisvara temple's Sri Vimana construction as Architecture marvel then one has to agree that Subramanian shrine is an example of Sculptural marvel. |
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| Dwarabala - beautiful sculpture work | Valli Thirumanam | Stone window | Dwarabala - beatiful sculpture work |
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| Mahisasuramardhini | Miniature stone work, Illustrates the gap between the stone flower | ||
| Subramanian shrine | |||
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| Murugan with Peacock | Mahisasuramardhini | Arumugan on peacock | Komuga vasal |
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| Battle scene - Elephant squeezing a warrior riding on a horse | Beautiful view from Subramanian shrine | Ornamental steps leading to Subramanian shrine | Battle scene - Warrior dead after the elephant squeezed |
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Karuvur Devar shrine |
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Karuvur Devar is the spritual guru of Rajaraja-I and he is one of the prime responsible person in constructing the Brihadesvara temple. This shrine is located in the west portion of the temple in the Prahara. This shrine is an recent addition to the Brihadeswara temple during this century. Karuvurar is also considered as one of the 18 siddhars. Weekly prayers are conducted by Karuvurar sabai. A rare painting of Chola period found with the Archealogical department is shown on the side. |
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| Karuvur Devar | |||
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| Karuvur Devar and Rajaraja Cholan in Paintings | |||
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