To dream big!
It was my long time dream to stand in front of that impressive monument.As we approached the place, with abated breath, I waited for that exact moment when my eyes would behold that grandeur. Oh! there it was! As our bus turned to move along the outer walls, looking across the centuries past, it stood - a silent witness to the transiency of human life. Something jumped and shifted deep within me with the first glimpse.
"How did you feel being the only son and most loved, guiding the Chola army to victory after victory, fulfilling your revered father's every dream, Prince Rajendra?" - I silently threw the question at the walls of Gangai Kondacholapuram temple, the massive Nandhi and the tall Vimana. Do you think, by any chance, I would get an answer through these creations that were the result of his dreams?
Every stone, pillar and sculpture of the temple has Rajendra's name etched on them. You try standing in front of the structure and try to communicate with it! Then you will know my feeling. When he planned to build a new capital, naturally to his Lord and God (Shiva), he wanted to build a temple. He marched up to Bengal (the then Pala kingdom), conquered them and brought water from Ganga to consecrate the temple here. The descendants of the master builder of Thanjavur temple were the builders here. The massive size, the Nandhi and some basic structures are similar in both places but each of them has a character of their own.
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| Gnana Saraswati |
When we were moving around in the Prakara (प्राकारम् - the pathway around the sanctum), the walls stun you with elaborate carved niches with beautifully sculptures deities placed within. The Gnana Saraswati and the one called 'Sandeswara Prasadam' filled my heart with an indescribable emotion.
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| Sandeswara Prasadam |
Are you wondering about who this Sandeswara is? Hey! I am certainly not going to start off a story telling session! Just know that he was one ardent devotee of Lord Shiva and Shiva blessed him and gave him an important role of keeping track of the people coming into the temple to worship. Can you see Sandeswara bowing in front of Shiva and accepting a garland?
The professor, expert in different disciplines, put forth an interesting perspective about the long wait in the wings - of the most worthy son to be recognised as the crown prince to duly succeed the illustrious father. If you know a little bit of Chola history, you may recall that for a few years towards the end of Rajaraja's reign, Rajendra was the co-regent. I leave it to you to link the dots. Sandeswara here, represents Rajendra who gets his recognition and authority from the Supreme Lord Himself (Obviously!)
You can understand my feelings, can't you? The place does not appear as a mere granite monument to me. Wasn't it trying to tell me about that young man with a great vision?Beginning with this temple, what we experienced in the other two temples as well made me wonder - who is scientifically and technically advanced. The pilasters (Architectural designs carved as projections in walls with placing of deities within it), the beautiful sculptures of different deities within the niche, the huge Vimana (sanctum tower), the molded horizontal projections (cornices) or their knowledge of proportions, aesthetics and precise calculations of where to put what kind of structure and its weight... Ooh! let me take a breath!
Sh-shh.. want to share a secret with you all! (then it is no secret, do you say? So be it!) When I stood before those beautiful creations, I wanted to break out in a song -dance sequence like our Bollywood/Tollywood or whatever! You want to try and find out how you would feel? Good idea!
We would cover the other two 'Great Living Chola Temples' in the coming two days - built by three Chola kings - Great Rajaraja, Rajendra, his son and Rajaraja II (12th century). Each stands a true representative of the period and the king responsible for its building.
I retired for the night but like a chocolate lover being promised a great treat after a good night's sleep.
Here is something 'for the road', friends. Here are the three temples.Look at the shape of the vimana, the structure and size. Ride on your imagination till we meet again.
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