SREE BRAHADHEESWARAR, GANGAIKONDACHOZHAPURAM
Gangaikondachozhapuram, is one of the three massive architectural marvels of the chozha period, the premier being the Brahadheeswarar-Thanjavur, aptly called as Periya Koil in Tamil (Big Temple) and the other is the Sree Airavatheswarar temple at Darasuram. The deity at Gangaikonda Chozhapuram too is called as Sree Brahadheeswarar and the consort is Goddess Periyanayaki. The temple was built by Rajendra Chozhan (1012-1044 AD), a great warrior, son and successor of King Rajaraja Chozhan. Gangaikondachozhapuram was the headquarters for Chola Dynasty for about 250 years. The Chozhas ruled over the entire region of south india from Thungabhadra in the North to Srilanka in the South. The victories of Rajendra Chozhan and conquering of entire south india, part of Bangladesh, Kedah and Kadaram- Part of Malaysia/Indonesia and part of Cambodia culminated in a new capital at Gangaikondachozhapuram and the King himself was named as "Gangaikondan". He also made a lake "Chola Gangam" spreading 22km for drinking and irrigation purposes.
Sree Brahadheeswarar
Lion well (Singa Kinaru) is believed to be an addition in the 19th century, in outside prakara and the lawns of the temple.
Gangaikondachozhapuram, is one of the three massive architectural marvels of the chozha period, the premier being the Brahadheeswarar-Thanjavur, aptly called as Periya Koil in Tamil (Big Temple) and the other is the Sree Airavatheswarar temple at Darasuram. The deity at Gangaikonda Chozhapuram too is called as Sree Brahadheeswarar and the consort is Goddess Periyanayaki. The temple was built by Rajendra Chozhan (1012-1044 AD), a great warrior, son and successor of King Rajaraja Chozhan. Gangaikondachozhapuram was the headquarters for Chola Dynasty for about 250 years. The Chozhas ruled over the entire region of south india from Thungabhadra in the North to Srilanka in the South. The victories of Rajendra Chozhan and conquering of entire south india, part of Bangladesh, Kedah and Kadaram- Part of Malaysia/Indonesia and part of Cambodia culminated in a new capital at Gangaikondachozhapuram and the King himself was named as "Gangaikondan". He also made a lake "Chola Gangam" spreading 22km for drinking and irrigation purposes.
Sree Brahadheeswarar
Sree Periyanayaki
Sree Brahadheeswarar temple at Gangaikondachozhapuram can be reached from Kumbakonam and is 30 kms away. This highway is to reach Jayangondam in Perambalur District and on the way is Thirupanathal and Anaikarai. The buses from Kumbakonam to Chennai take this route and take a different route just before Gangaikondachozhapuram. Gangaikondachozhapuram lies on the northern bank of river Kollidam and can be approached from Ariyalur also and at a distance of 47kms from there. Even from a distance, the majestic side walls with gigantic Nandhi can be seen and one more of the UNESCO heritage site. Sree Brahadheeswarar idol is about 13 ft tall and can be seen even from a distance of 200 metres and during day time, no lighting of lamps are required to view the Lord, as the sun falls on the Nandhi and reflects on the Lord on day-to-day. The entrance of the Gangaikonda chozhapuram Nandhi as photographed by me is shown below:
The shadow of the Khalasam does not fall on the ground and the vimana has been designed and constructed for that. Goddess Periyanayaki is around 9 ft tall and is facing South. His Holiness Sree Chandrasekara Saraswathi of Kanchi Mutt had installed a Srichakra at the feet of the Goddess. Goddess Saraswathi and Mahalakshmi are known as Gnana Saraswathi and GnanaLakshmi and appear in a meditation posture. The massive size of the deities require 25 metres of dhoti for the Lord and garland of 14 feet and 9 yards saree for the Goddess. The sculptures of the temple on the pillars and prakara walls in this temple too are from the stories of periyapuranam, epics ramayana and mahabhratham apart from dance forms.
Durga in the temple with 20 hands graces the devotees and is seen as a young girl killing the Mahishasuran.
When the temple was under construction, King Rajendra Chozhan asked for the accounts from his minister. He fell at the feet of the Vinayaka here and got back his memory and started telling the accounts to the King. Hence the Vinayagar here is called "Kanakku Vinayagar".
When the temple was under construction, King Rajendra Chozhan asked for the accounts from his minister. He fell at the feet of the Vinayaka here and got back his memory and started telling the accounts to the King. Hence the Vinayagar here is called "Kanakku Vinayagar".
Annabhishekam in this temple is performed on Full Moon day (Pournami- பௌர்ணமி) in the month October-November (tamil month ஐப்பசி) by Sree Kanchi Kamakoti Mutt. Hundreds of bags of rice are cooked for this purpose and annabhishekam is performed from 9 AM to about 4 PM. Fruits and vegetables are also offered as Nivedhanas. The rice on the linga is later immersed in the river and not offered to devotees, as it is said that the humans cannot bear the power of it. Rice, only on the part of Avudaiyar are offered as Prasadahm in this temple.
Some of the photographs taken during my trip at Gangaikondachozhapuram are shown below:
Lion well (Singa Kinaru) is believed to be an addition in the 19th century, in outside prakara and the lawns of the temple.
It is said that the British destroyed the fortified wall of this temple and took the stones for the construction of Lower Anaicut across River Kollidam, in the year 1896.
Temple timings:
Temple timings:
6 AM- 12PM
4 PM- 8 PM
It's one of the best place to visit
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