1000 years completion of Thanjavur Rajarajaeswarem

[virarajendra]

Author: virarajendra

The year of first "Kudamulukku Peru Vilaa" (Kumba Abishekam ceremony) and the celebration of 1000 years completion - of Thanjavur Rajarajaeswarem Thirukkoyil" (also known as 'Periya Koyil' and 'Brahatheeswarem')





(Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Monument in 1987)

The one among the two greatest of all Tamil Emperors of Tamil Nadu - India, was Rajaraja Chola - 1 (A.D.985-1014) of the medieval period India.

The Kannada Inscription of the region Balmuri in Mysore District refers to conquests made by the Chola general Panchavan Marayan alias Mummudi Chola-Nagandavaranam. This inscription is dated the 28th year of Rajaraja Chola - 1 being Saka year 934. Hence the year of accession of Rajaraja - 1 on Chola throne = (934-[28-1]) = Saka Year 907. (Refer Epigraphica Carnatica - Vol 3, Sr 140)

This is further confirmed by another Inscription of the region Kallahalli in Mysore District dated 27th year of Rajaraja Chola - 1 being Saka year 933. That is (933-[27-1]) = Saka Year 907. (Refer Epigraphica Carnatica - Vol 10, Ct 118)

It has been determined by the Historians of India that any Saka year + 78 =Christian Year expressed in terms of A.D. Hence Saka year 907 = 907 + 78 =A.D.985. We are aware Saka year 907 covers the period of last 9 months from April A.D.984, and the period of first 3 months up to March A.D.985.

Thus it is confirmed that the Rajaraja Chola - 1 accession on the Chola throne took place between A.D.985 January and A.D.985 March. If we take the mean of this period we could conclude that the year of accession Rajaraja Chola - 1 on the Chola throne was in A.D.985 'accurately', and in the month of mid February 'approximately'.

The Esaalam Copper Plates of Rajendra Chola - 1 states that his father Rajaraja Chola - 1 '......erected at "Thanjanagari" a very great temple named "Rajarajaeswarem". (The above "Copper Plate Reference" is quoted from the article titled "Archaeological Finds in South India - Esaalam Bronzes & Copper Plates" - by R.Nagaswamy)

Now from one of the Thanjavur Rajarajaeswarem Temple Inscription we note that "….in the 25th year & 275th day Udaiyaar Sri Rajarajathevar (gave) a copper pot to be kept on`thari' of the copper sthupi of "Sri Vimanam" of Sri Rajarajaeswarem Udaiyaar……".Hence it is understood that this was in the year A.D.985 Februrary + [25-1]years + 275 days (9 months) = A.D.1009 February plus 9 months = A.D.1009 November.

We also note from 'same inscription' in this same temple that "…in the 26th year & 20th day "….Ko Rajakesarivarman alias Sri Rajaraja Thevar....gave `thaanam'….to the `Thirukkattrali' (granite stone temple) which (he says) "I got it constructed Sri Rajarajaeswaremudaiyaar……".Here it is very clear that in his 26th year & 20thday (1 month approx) = A.D.985 February + [26-1] years + 1month = A.D.1010 February plus 1 month = A.D.1010 March, the construction of the Rajarajaeswarem temple was complete. (The above two 'Inscription References' are inscribed on the northern wall of the Vimanam of this temple, and quoted from the South Indian Inscriptions - Vol 2, Inscrip' No 1)

Thus it is confirmed that the "Kudamulukku Peru Vilaa" of Thanjavur Rajarajaeswarem Thirukkoyil took place between A.D.1009 November and A.D.1010 March. If we take the mean of this period we could conclude that the first "Kudamulukku Peru Vilaa" (Kumba Abishekam) of Thanjavur Rajarajaeswarem Thirukkoyil took place in the year A.D.1010 'accurately' and in the month of mid January 'approximately'.

The Seppuk Kalasam laid over with gold and placed on the temple of the Sri-Rajarajaesvaramudaiyar by Pavana Pidaran the - Saiva Acharya of this temple weighing five hundred and forty-five karanju, on the occasion of the Kumbha Abishekam of this temple. Esaanasiva Panditar the Guru of the Emperor Rajaraja Chola too made many gifts to this temple at the time of Kudamullukku Peruvilla.

The "Karuvur Puraanam" (in Tamil) gives a picturesque description of those who were present at the 'first Kudamulukku Peru Villa' of the Rajarajaeswarem temple as follows:

".....All the holy music and practices streamed in, the girls tried their dance performances, the worshippers of Sangaran (God Siva) flocked in, the great tamil poets gathered (saying) the wonder created here where else are they and came forth, preyed at his (Rajaraja Chola's) feet lovingly and rejoiced....."

This temple was designed by a group of Silpis (Perum Thatchchar) and the chief among the Silpis who was intrumental in the construction of this great temple was Viracholan Kunjajara Mallan alias Rajaraja Perum Thatchchan with his two assistants, and the expertise of two other Silpis namely the Kunavan Mathuranthahan alias Niththavinotha Perum Thatchchan and Ilaththi Sadaiyan alias Kandaraathiththa Perum Thatchchan.



This year being A.D.2010, the Tamil Nadu Government under the 'great initiative' of the Former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu Dr Kalaignar M. Karunanithi is celebrating the 1000th year (2010 - 1010) completion of construction of Thanjavur Rajarajaeswarem Thirukkoyil (temple) also known as Periya Koyil, on the 25th & 26th of September 2010 at Thanjavur, 'more fittingly' as a mark of highest appreciation of the great "architectural marvel" produced in granite stone in reverence to "God Siva" (i.e.God - as Siva) by Emperor Rajaraja Chola - 1(A.D.985-1014).

It will be 'still more fitting' if the Tamil Nadu Government in this year of this great event, also rename the "Chennai International Airport" which is presently being developed into an ultra modern Airport - as "Rajaraja Cholan International Airport" in memory of the great son of the soil who built the great master-piece of Tamilian Architecture - the Thanjavur Rajarajaeswarem. This will give a world exposure and recognition to this great Tamil Emperor of Tamil Nadu.



Note: The length of the name is comparable with the names of some International Airports and other Airports of India. eg:

(1) Thirutchirappalli International Airport

(2) Visakapattnam Airport

(3) Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport

(4) Lok Nayak Jayaprakash Airport

(5) Sardar Vallabbhai Patel International Airport

(6) Charan Singh Internatinal Airport

(7) Nethaji Subas Chandra Bose International Airport etc etc.

Three "YouTube Videos" commemorating the 1000 years completion of Thanjavur Rajarajaeswarem Temple



Briefly on the "1000 years celebration of the "Rajarajaeswarem" Thirukkoyil at Thanjavur on the 25th & 26th of September 2010 - as per "Thinamani" News Paper Report dated 8 Aug 2010

First Day 25th

(1) From the morning, there will be many Cultural Shows staged in many parts of the city of Thanjavur by Village Artists.

(2) Same day evening at the Thanjavur Rajarajaeswarem Thirukkoyil (Periya Koyil) there will be a great Dance Performance by 1000 - Dance Artists under the leadership of Dr.Pathma Subramaniam, and under the auspicious of the All India Bharatha Natya Artists Sangam.

Prior to this Dance performance a Nathaswarem Music Recital will take place. Likewise after this Dance Performance there will be a program where 100 - Othuvar will perform "Thirumurai" Music Recital (in Tamil). {Incidently the Othuvar System in Siva Temples of Tamil Nadu was first introduced by the Tamil Emperor Rajaraja Chola - 1, where the Thevarems - also known as Thiruppathikam or Thiruppadiyam from the Tamil Thurumuraikal were sung at all Siva Temples by 'Othuvars', after the Poosai Valipaadu at the Karuvarai of these Temples}

Second Day 26th

(1) In the morning there will be a Research Seminar at the Thanjavur Tamil University premises, and a General Seminar at the Thanjavur Periya Koyil (Rajarajaeswarem).

(2) In the evening there will be a big commemoration meeting at the Thanjavur Thilakar Grounds where in the Honourable Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu Dr Kalaignar M. Karunanithi will release the Memorial Coins minted in remembrance of the 1000 - years completion of Thanjavur Rajarajaeswarem, and the connected Postage Stamps printed to commemorate this great occasion.

This will be followed by the inauguration of the Infra Structure Facilities and Development Projects for Thanjavur.

(3) There will also be a Historical Exhibition held at the premises of the Thanjavur Periyakoyil to mark this great occasion.

The following URLs leads to "YouTube Videos" on Thanjavur Rajarajaeswarem

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(The next Video below though not edited properly by it's Author, unlike most of the other Videos, this gives an opportunity to view the northern side of the temple in much detail, inclusive of the Subramaniya temple, the Thiruchuttru Maalikai, etc.




The other News Reports - URLs on the forthcomming "Rajarajaeswarem Peru Villa" at Thanjavur from the 22nd to the 26th of September 2010

(1) News Report of "Thinathanthi" - Thanjavur News dated 11-9-2010.
http://dailythanthi.com/article.asp?...11/2010&advt=2

(2) News Report of "Hindu" - Chennai News dated 10-9-2010
http://www.thehindu.com/arts/history...icle625457.ece

(3) News Report of "Thinathanthi" - Thanjavur News (a) dated 18-9-2010
http://dailythanthi.com/article.asp?...18/2010&advt=2

(4) News Report of "Thinathanthi" - Thanjavur News (b) dated 18-9-2010
http://dailythanthi.com/article.asp?...18/2010&advt=2

(5) News Report of "Thinathanthi" - Thanjavur News dated 21-9-2010
http://dailythanthi.com/article.asp?...21/2010&advt=2

The following URLs leads to "YouTube Videos" on Thanjavur Rajarajaeswarem 1000 years completion "Peru Vilaa" Events
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=VTstKOIXUX8