Context:
The birth anniversary of the legendary Chola emperor Raja Raja Chola I is celebrated during the Sadhaya Vizha in Thanjavur of Tamil Nadu.
Brihadisvara Temple:
- Location – Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu
- Built by – Chola Emperor Rajaraja I.
- Construction Period – 1003 to 1010 CE.
- Dedicated to – Lord Shiva.
- UNESCO World Heritage Site – Part of the “Great Living Chola Temples” along with Gangaikonda Cholapuram and Airavatesvara temples.
- Architectural Features –
- Style – Dravidian architecture.
- Materials – Primarily granite.
- Possess one of the tallest Vimana (Temple Tower) in South India
- Has large and ornate Gopura (Gateway Towers), marking a shift towards grandiose design.
- Sculptures and Frescoes here depict various deities, including Shiva, Vishnu, and Shakti, as well as scenes from the life of Rajaraja.
- Significance –
- Cultural – Represents the zenith of Chola architectural and artistic achievements.
- Historical – Inscriptions detail the wealth and power of the Chola dynasty, including lavish gifts to the temple.
Raja Raja Chola I:
- Birth Name – Arulmozhi Varman.
- Reign – 985 CE to 1014 CE.
- Titles – Rajakesari Varman, Rajaraja the Great.
- Conquered the Pandya and Chera kingdoms.
- Invaded and started a century-long Chola occupation.
- Extended influence over the Maldives and Lakshadweep.
- Initiated a comprehensive land survey and assessment in 1000 CE, leading to the reorganization of the Tamil country into valanadus (administrative units).
- Standardized revenue collection through systematic land surveys.
- Commissioned the construction of Brihadisvara Temple in Thanjavur.
- Collected and compiled important Tamil literary works by poets such as Appar, Sambandar, and Sundarar into a single collection known as the Thirumurai.
Source: The Hindu
Previous Year Question
Building ‘Kalyana Mandapam’ was a notable feature in the temple construction in the kingdom of:
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2019 Prelims]
(a) Chalukya
(b) Chandela
(c) Rashtrakuta
(d) Vijayanagara
Answer: (d)