Brihadeeshwara temple - Part 2 !! (Hidden Underground Secrets)
In continuation from the previous part, which in detail explains about the structural and architectural wonders of this temple,It is the World's First Complete granite temple. This 1000 years old temple was built using heavy granite stones, without using any binding material. It was built using a technique of interlocking stones that holds this temple very strong.
The huge artistically carved cap stone placed on top of the temple is called Vimana. This Vimana weighs around 80 tonnes.
How did they lift a heavy 80 tonnes vimana for about 200 feet? The technology that they used to lift this hefty vimana to place on top of the 200 feet structure is not yet clear. Many types of theories are being circulated by historians about the ancient Indian technology used to lift this heavy vimana.
There are many unsolved mysteries about this temple. The way that this temple was constructed is a mystery to many archaeologists. Why did the Chola kings had built such a huge temple using granite stones, which were not available in this area?
What were the tools used to precisely carve these strong granite stones?
Underground secrets of this temple:
There are more than 100 secret underground passages beneath this temple, which connects to Kings Palace, other temples, Safe vault and many other places of Thanjavur. The underground passages were constructed like a labyrinth, meaning complicated network of paths, which makes one to find it difficult to find the correct path.
Only those who know the correct path can get through the passage and there are many other dummy paths were made to create confusion for the trespassing enemies and unauthorised persons. The person who are secretly following the authorised person will be trapped to death in the underground by loosing the starting point, because it was made in such a way that all the paths will be looking similar.
Here is a one such path which is from the temple complex to King's palace. This path was used by Kings, Queens and Royal family members to reach the temple and worship Lord Shiva, without disturbing the public.
The below picture is from the temple, which was painted using natural colours before 1000 years. A secret passage from this temple is somewhere near to this painting, like a secret door with a cryptic code to open it.
Safe vault:
Local people believe that in one of these underground passages, there is a passage that leads to secret vault, which contains Chola's treasure and temple's important valuable jewellery. Many people tried to crack the secret path towards the vault but failed in vain. Because, they don't know the complete details and key to the secret path.
For example: A dead end in the path is not actually a dead end. It was designed like that to confuse the greedy people. There is a secret way to unlock the dead end door, which will lead to the real path of the treasure.
This secret treasure in the underground consists of gold ornaments, gold crowns, golden dresses for God, gold coins, many precious gem stones, diamonds, silver coins, important farming seeds, secret manuscripts, secret weapons etc. These are kept in a safe vault. More than the gold and silver, many people are keen to take the secret manuscripts which will uncover about many mysterious and secret places in India. Many treasure hunters, historians had searched for the treasure, but were failed to get it and even some people had died as they were trapped inside the labyrinth.
In addition to that, it has some more hidden paths. These secret tunnels were built by chola kings beneath the temple complex.
Secret Path1: This path1 leads to outskirts of the city. In those times, this path was used by spies to convey the important message to king, without any traces left behind. It is also an emergency evacuation path for the royal family members.
Secret Path2: This path connects this temple and the King's palace. This path is little wider one, such that 2 horses can be ridden in parallel and it is more of gateway route of kings during wars.
Underground Safe place:
This is the most interesting part. This safe place was built in an idea to stay there for some period of time. An underground tunnel, which leads to this place, was well ventilated for fresh air to come, enough lighting system was in place, also it was designed to cast shadows inside the safe place. So that time was calculated based on the shadow casted.
[Note: The below picture is just a model one, not the real underground passage of Brihadeeshawara temple. ]
There are many other underground paths as well. But, those passages were destroyed either by a natural cause or the by Royal family.
The technology used to build such a huge temple, the source of these granite stones, the advanced tools used to carve such intricate designs, science behind Quartz Shiva Linga with Chandrakanta stone beneath, the calculated distances between the temple sanctum and the Nandi, are totally mind blowing!!!
[The distance between Shiva Lingam and Nandi is 247 feet, which is equivalent to the total number of letters in Tamil]
In addition to these, the underground passages with air shaft and natural light built by Chola king Raja Rajan has made historians and archaeologists to baffle!!!
Here are some of the intricate carvings of this temple,
The below picture depicts the Kailash of Lord Shiva and Parvati with Lord Ganesha in the left side.
Side staircase to the temple...
Ancient Indians had built great temples with abundant knowledge of arts, architecture, science and technology that stands for several thousand years without the disturbance of natural calamities. This temple was constructed even to withhold a strong earth quake...
Instead of praising about glories of Mughals and British invaders in school history books, do include more about ancient Indian great kings, their architectures, priceless knowledge and their glory to the future generations to be proud about themselves and to be proud about our mother India !!! No where on this Earth, you can find such majestic place like this!!
- Aarthi Thiyagarajan
Interesting post!!
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