Temples remain as the essence of the culture and heritage of Tamilnadu. There are almost 33000 ancient temples in TN some of which are 800 to 1400 years old. The Brihadeshwara temple in Rajarajeswaram, built by Chola emperor Rajaraja-I, Tanjore is a most popular amongst them for its an exemplary example of our Tamil architecture and the scientific foresight of our ancestors.
There are many specialities about its architecture. It is fully built with granite. The stones are laid using the “loose joint” technology that is, leaving a thin gap between stones. For a temple, which is one of the largest with a temple tower height of 216 ft, a foundation of 50 feet depth is required. But Brihadeeswara temple’s foundation is only 5 feet with the possibility of loose joint technology. This technology is similar to the one used in Indian Charpoy beds in villages. When a heavy person sits on a rope bed, the ropes pull back and it tightens and becomes firm to bear heavy weights. This same technology is used in this temple architecture. The stones are loosely arranged one over the other and finally on top a heavy square stone of 80 tonnes is placed. Over this is the tallest ‘vimana tower’ of 80 tonnes and on top of the square stone is placed a total of 8 nandis, which together weighs 80 tonnes. So the astounding fact of this temple is that its foundation is above the ground on the outside and not underground which can withstand any number of natural calamities for 1000 more years. An architectural charm of our forefather scientists. Hence the temple is called THANJAI PERIYA KOIL - THE BIG TEMPLE OF TANJORE.
Other importat temples of thanjavur can be seen briefly.
Next on the list is the Sikkal Navaneethaswarar temple which is one of the shrines of the 275 Paadal Petra Sthalams - Shiva Sthalams. It is believed in Hindu mythology that this place was once a jasmine forest.The aroma of which made the semi-human goddess with cow's trunk, Kamadenu live here. Once Kamadenu was cursed by Lord Shiva for eating meat and to get rid of sin kamadenu bathed in the pond of the temple and offered its milk which later became Parkulalm. It is here Vashistha Maharishi performed a pooja by making a linga from the butter of the milk in parkulam. After the pooja he tried to remove the lingam, but it stuck to that place. As a result, Vasista Maharishi regarded this place as Sikkal.
We have the Abhishtavaradha Ganapathi Temple where Sage Agasthiyar attained his dwarf-form, Ganapatheeswarar Temple, where Pallavas brought the Vinayagar idol from Vatapi.
Khabartheesar Karpaga Nathar Temple, in Tiruvalanchuzhi is one temple which has the white image of Lord Vinayagar that was formed when the Devas churned the holy milky ocean, Tirupaarkadal.
Next is the Thyagaraja Temple, Tiruvarur, which acted as the cultural model for the Brihadeeswarar temple. We also have Denupuriswarar Temple at Pattiswaram, Nageeswarar temple at Kumbakonam. Sri Kaala Bhairavar Temple (vairavankoil) near Eachangudi, and Kala Bhairavar Temple, KshetraBalapuram, near Mayiladuthurai, Tanjore.
Thanjai Mamani Koil, is a set of three Hindu temples dedicated to Lord Vishnu at Tanjore. It is one of the Divya Desams, the 108 temples of Vishnu revered by the 12 poet saints, or Alwars.
The other temples in tanjore are
Shri Moola Anjaneyar temple ,Shri Anandhavalli sametha Shri Agastheeswarar Temple at Semmangudi and the PunnaiNallur Mariamman temple where it is said the idol of Amman was found amongst the Punna trees in the forest and the Bangaru Kaamaatchiyamman koil.
And last but surely not in any way the least, we have the Navagraham cluster at Kumbakonam for the nine planets ruling us.
We have the famous Suryanaar temple for the Sun and the Saneeswarar temple for Saturn and temples for each of the nine planets.
With so many temples around Tanjore in Tamilnadu our land is adored as a beauty of temple Architecture.
