Indian Traveller

Thursday, February 28, 2019

THANJAVUR PALACE - THANJAVUR PART-2

THANJAVUR PALACE

THANJAVUR PALACE COMPLEX

MAIN ATTRACTIONS INSIDE THE PALACE

The Main attractions to visit in the Palace are Saraswathi Mahal Library, Royal Palace Museum, Serfoji Memorial Hall, Durbar hall, Art Gallery, Bell Tower, Sangeeth Mahal and Sarjah Madi.

At the main ticket counter we can buy the tickets for entry and also camera fee excluding the Royal Palace Museum and Serfoji Memorial Hall for which the tickets are sold at the entrance of these two places.The entry tickets and camera tickets are checked at all entry points and stamped.

Saraswati Mahal Library.

This building is easily identifiable with a very colourful frontage. There are many books and palm leaf manuscripts in this well-maintained library. There are also atlases, dictionaries and rare old books. Originally started by the Nayaks during their rule, this library got most of its patronage under the Marathas, especially under Serfoji II.The most important collection of the library are the palm leaf manuscripts written in various scripts.

Photography is not allowed inside the library.

There is an audio-visual center next to the Saraswathi Mahal Library where a presentation of important places to visit in and around Thanjavur, which is well narrated and presented.

DARBAR HALL

This large hall has the ceiling painted beautifully similar to which we had seen in Nandi Mandapam at Brihadeeswara Temple - a type of art form very common to the Maratha rule. At the centre is the portrait of the maharaja. The art work and painting on the ceiling are beautiful.

The Durbar hall is the place where the Maratha Kings used to meet their Ministers and common citizens. This is quite large and is full of colorful paintings. At the center is the portrait of Maharaja. At the outside of Durbar hall is a courtyard with Nandi.

ART GALLERY

This place was basically the Nayak Palace, originally built by the Nayaks who ruled before the Marathas. The rooms have now been converted into a museum where there is a good collection of beautiful statues & sculptures.

On the south side of the courtyard is the Arsenal Tower. This, as the name suggests, is an eight-storied structure which was used as a storage place for weapons and ammunitions by the Marathas built in the year 1885.

BELL TOWER

Right next to the Art Gallery is the Bell Tower. This seven-storied structure was built by the Nayaks and is said to be used for offering prayers.

SANGEET MAHAL

Right opposite to the Art Gallery is Sangeet Mahal, built in the year 1600 by Sevappa Nayak. Due to shortage of time we could not visit Sangeet Mahal.

The Thanjavur Palace is a must-visit place, especially the Art gallery and Saraswathi Mahal.

AIRAVATESVARA TEMPLE - KUMBAKONAM

AIRAVATESVARA TEMPLE - DARASURAM -KUMBAKONAM

Airawateswarar temple Darasuram is about 4 Kms from Kumbakonam.The main deity in this temple is Airawateswarar (Lord Shiva). Lord Shiva here is known as Airawateswara because he was worshipped in this temple by Airavata the white elephant of the King of Gods Indira.

This is a UNESCO heritage site and is maintained by ASI. This temple is said to be built by the Chola Kings between 10th and 12th century. There is a lot of similarity between the Thanjavur Brihideswara temple and Gangaikondacholapuram temple.

Nandi In Front Of Airawateswara Temple

Right in front of the temple is a huge Nandi idol facing the temple. As we enter the temple premises is a mandapam with beautifully carved pillars and in the form of a chariot. The artwork is amazing.

Mandapam and Dwjastamba at Airawateswara Temple

CARVINGS ON PILLARS AT AIRAVATESVARA TEMPLE

Walking through the mandapam we come to the sanctum of Lord Airavateswarar. His consort Goddess Periyanayaki Amman has a separate temple located to the north of the Airawateswarar temple.

According to legends, Airawata the elephant, suffering from change of colour due to curse of Durvasamuni had his colours restored by bathing in the sacred water in this temple. The image of Airawata with Indra seated can be seen in the inner shrine. The presiding deity derives the name Airavateswarar from this incident.

It is also said that Yama the King of death suffering from burning sensation all over the body due to the Rishi's curse took bath in the sacred tank and was cured of the burning sensation. Since then the sacred tank is called Yamatheertham.

CARVINGS OF DANCER AT AIRAVATESVARA TEMPLE

AIRAVATESVARA TEMPLE

LINGODBHAVA MURTHY -AIRAVATESVARA TEMPLE

MANDAPAM

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MAHISHASURA MARDINI- AIRAVATESVARA TEMPLE

SHIVA

AIRAVATESVARA TEMPLE -DARSURAM

CHARIOT SHAPED MANDAPAM AT AIRAVATESVARA TEMPLE

Though this is a smaller temple than Brihadeeswarar temple and Gangaikondacholapuram the sculpture and construction is amazing. There is no restriction on photography except in the sanctum. Devotees flock to this temple to seek blessings and also to enjoy the architecture.

Timings 6 am to 8 pm

Wednesday, February 20, 2019

GANGAIKONDA CHOLAPURAM

GANGAIKONDA CHOLAPURAM.

Temple Entrance

Gangaikonda Cholapuram is about 35 Kms from Kumbakonam. This temple is said to be built in 11th century (year 1035) by King Rajendra Chola who was the son and successor of Raja Raja Chola or Rajendra Chola I who has built Thanjavur Big temple. The presiding deity here is Lord Shiva.

Gangaikonda Cholapuram was erected to outshine the temple built by his father. The temple is renowned for having the biggest Shivalingam in the Southern part of India.The temple structure is similar to Brihadeeswara temple of Thanjavur.The whole temple is covered with rich and intricate carvings that are exclusive to Chola style. Beautiful sculptures adorn the walls and ceilings of Gangaikondacholapuram.

As we enter, we can see a huge Nandi in front of the temple. This is similar to the Nandi in Thanjavur Big temple.

Monolith Nandi

We have to climb a few steps to enter the mandapam which leads to the sanctum. The Shivalingam here is said to be 60 feet in circumference and a height of 13 feet.This is supposed to be the largest Shivalingam in south India. Daily Puja is performed here even to this day.

There is a well in the premises believed to be filled with Ganga water brought from Ganges after Rajendra Chola defeated Northern kings. This well is near Simhakeni, a cave built in the form of a lion. Even to this day, water from this well is used for abhishekam.

We find shrines of Viswanathar (Kashi) and Ramanathar (Rameswaram) and once you visit both these temples, and complete a Pradikshanam (Circumbulance), it is believed to be equivalent to completing Kashi and Rameshwaram pilgrimage.

There is a Shrine for Goddess Durga called Vijaya Durga where kings first worship and leave for expedition and come back victorious.

Nandi

Front View Of Temple

The images of dancing Nataraja and peaceful Saraswati are beautiful and reflect the creativity of the sculptors. We find statues of Ardhanareeswara, Surya, Vishnu, Lakshmi, Lingodbhava, Dakshinamurthy etc. in the temple. This temple was raged during Malik kafur's invasion and other subsequent wars by invaders till Vijayanagara rulers after their winning war against Sultans, renovated the temple.