Brihadeshwara temple was all that we had heard about! Enchanting!



We first saw the temple in the evening/night.
Nandini wanted to have quick walk next morning.
 As I waited for her, I took a few pictures.
Luckily I could get a view of the towering gopuram!
A temple Raja Raja Chola built in the 11th Century!




Tower looks small from a distance. 






I chose this spot as I could keep my shoes!


I had walked around the temple  in the morning 20 years ago. Don't remember how I managed to walk barefoot . Perhaps the mats were there.  Taking off footwear is an Asian way of showing respect.
 It was common to see poor villagers walking barefoot on the hot tarred roads in the early days. I guess it was the same for villagers all over India. 
 This rule of 'no foot wear' needs a debate, but I am not up to it! Anyway I am unable to walk barefoot on hot sand or granite now. Also stand in the long queues. 
 I  take shelter in the belief, that I can offer my prayers from a distance, especially if  I  am in a place blessed by the residing deity! 
  
We entered at Sunset. 


Walking through was easy..



Lot of space to sit and enjoy the evening!



We followed the guide.
Family we joined were from Bangalore!









She wanted a picture with Nandini.






The guide pointed out an addition
 to commemorate Marco Polos visit




The guide said the original Nandi was smaller!

our guide





A bit tired I did not go in, also
overwhelmed with the experience.
Nice music in the back ground
I feel they could have paused a bit
to give us a few minutes of quiet.


A dramatic view

The restaurant was good!
They said, we will keep serving until you say stop! It did not mean all you can eat!
Extras were charged! Still a reasonable price. 

The home stay was nice. The breakfast good!
We had an early morning drama. There was a heavy knock and I peeped out from the window. I saw three people, one was a policeman. I opened the door and Tara was behind me for support. He mumbled something and went to the next door. Nandini peeped but sensibly didn’t open the door. The policeman again walked past to the next room. The story which Nandini got from the staff was crazy to say the least. It seems he was looking for his bosses wife , who had a fight and had run away. 

The story of the temple. We entered the first tower as the Sun set. History of the temple can be read by the inscriptions on the walls of the temple. The structure is different in this temple! Temple was built in six years The stone came from Pudukkottai. The ramp made to pull and place 'the Eighty ton' gopuram was six kilometer long. Guide information.


Comments

Anonymous said…
Thanks for sharing... Very nice.
5:16 AM
Anonymous said…
Nice commentary and beautiful pictures and lighting. Motivates us to plan a visit
8:25 PM
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