The Thanjai Periya Kovil (Thanjai Big Temple).
Some facts about the temple :
- Built by Raja Raja Chola I in a span of 5 years [1010 AD]
- Classic example for the Dravidian Architechture.
- An impressive display of assemblages in history.
- The Temple was built with the help of slaves from the conquests of Chola.
- The statue of Nandi at the entrance of the temple is carved out of a single stone.
- The inspiration to build the temple came to Raja Raja Cholan during his visit to Sri Lanka and is a result of a dream he had.
What makes it mysterious? Because it is surrounded by various myths.
- People losing power : This is due to the curse of Cholas. The Cholas were great but they were ruthless warriors. Their conquests and bringing in slaves and making them work had got all the curses. It is also said that the temple administration had power to release the water to farmers but it seems it was selfish. So people cursed the temple. This had led to people going to the temple losing their power.
For example : The story of ruler losing power gained weight after what happened when Indira Gandhi, the Prime Minister of India and MGR, the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu visited the temple in 1984 to inaugurate a statue of Rajaraja in commemoration his millennium of ascendancy on throne. Indira Gandhi was assassinated and MGR had a stroke forcing him to be out of power for six months.
There is also another myth that Raja Raja was pushed to death by a sinhalese woman who was a slave. Still Raja Raja’s death is said to be a complex one.
- Secret passages : The secret passages were also built by Raja Raja Chola in his period of time. The secret passages were something different from the underground passages. The underground passages were built to connect several temples built by him together. Secret passage were built in such a way that it connects the secret places of the chola kings together like the one that connects the Palace of Raja Raja Chola and the Tanjore big temple
- The Growing Nandi : The Nandhi statue, sculptured during the Raja Raja Cholan period, kept growing in size. This could be because of the unique weather conditions and the growth of its growth, which was kept aside and nailed to the grounds.
Some facts related to the Temple but not entirely the temple. The people in Tamil film industry wanted to take movies regarding the Great King Raja Raja based upon the novel Ponniyin Selvan. But what happened to them is a big mystery. Some met with accidents and some issues happened. Something or other happens if they try to do something regarding the cholas.
So yes, according to me this temple is mysterious :)
Additional : Parvathamalai is also one mysterious temple !
- The height of Parvathamalai is over 4,000 feet and the distance from the base is 5.5 km. Parvatham means mountain and ‘Parvatha Malai’ as its called, signifies ‘Hill of Hills’ or ‘Queen of Hills’. Parvathamalai presents eight different shapes from eight directions around the hill.
- A Temple at this site is believed to have existed for the last 2000 years although it is not known exactly when the current Temple was constructed at the top of Parvathamalai. However a record (Malai Padu Kadaam) shows that King Maa Mannan who was ruling that area, during the year 300 A.D used to visit a Temple (at this site) frequently and worship Lord Shiva and the Goddess. It is said that 2000 years ago great yogis (Siddhas) constructed a Temple at the top of the hill for doing meditation.
- One of the legends associated with Parvathamalai states that when Lord Hanuman carried Sanjeevini hill to revive Laxman a piece of Sanjeevenimalai fell at this spot. For this reason this particular area is famous for various herbs and shrubs which can cure the deadliest diseases. It is not just herbs that can cure disease but it is thought that the breeze alone from the Hill wafting through the plants and shrubbery is enough to help cure illnesses.
- It is reputed that there are Siddhars who have made this Hill their home and who keep their presence a secret only choosing to reveal themselves to few devotees of the Divine. It is believed that these Siddhars visit the Temple on the top of Parvathamalai at midnight to worship the presiding deities there. Though no one can or have seen them in physical bodies, Villagers around ‘Parvathamalai’ down below say that they can clearly hear the sound of ringing bells, blowing conch and beating drums exactly at midnight when pujas are performed by siddhars. Devas and spiritual beings from other lokas are also believed to worship on the Hill every night.
Read more : Parvathamalai Hill and Temple
Do visit Parvathamalai as a trekking experience ! It’s situated near Thiruvannamalai !
Om Namah Shivaya !
Image source : Google