![]() |
Channels | ![]() |
In Focus |
Cartoons |
Education |
Environment |
Opinion |
Photo Essays |
Columns |
Business |
Random Thoughts |
Our Heritage |
Astrology |
Ayurveda |
Buddhism |
Cinema |
Culture |
Festivals |
Hinduism |
History |
People |
Places |
Sikhism |
Spirituality |
Society & Lifestyle |
Parenting |
Perspective |
Recipes |
Society |
Teens |
Women |
Creative Writings |
Computing |
Humor |
Individuality |
Literary Shelf |
Memoirs |
Quotes |
Stories |
Travelogues |
Workshop |
Travelogues | Share This Page | ||||||
Legacy of the Cholas and Pallavas
|
|||||||
by Subra Narayan |
![]() |
||||||
Around 1000 AD, when the Classic Mayan civilization was at its lowest ebb, barbarians were knocking at the gates of Delhi, and Buddhism had all but migrated out of India, the Cholas were flowering in South India. In fact, this year marks the 1000th year of the consecration of the Brihadeshwara Temple in Thanjavur. Deemed a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, the Brihadeshwara Temple was built by the munificent king, Raja Raja Chola I and is a testament to the culture, art and prowess of the Chola Empire.
Imagine the royal celebrations that would have been held here several centuries back when the masses would congregate around the temple waiting for the King and the royal priest to arrive and perform the rites. Marvelling at the engineering precision of the monument, it is almost a déjà vu moment, as I remember coming to this place in my childhood, probably not all that excited in visiting yet another temple as my parents dragged me along. But this time it is a totally different experience as you surmise that you could spend the entire day here drinking in each and every detail, when suddenly your kids start tugging you telling you to move faster in search of a cool shelter. All at once, a cool breeze touches your face as you observe the tall trees sway gently. The pillared portico along the walls of this citadel are adorned with rich murals, some of which are incredibly preserved, reminiscent of Mayan Temple paintings, although in some places you can barely make out the outlines. Like other empires, the Cholas too fought internecine wars with neighboring kingdoms, enjoyed their victories and bemoaned their losses, but they left indelible marks in India’s history, which have withstood the onslaught of the natural elements through several centuries.
|
|||||||
Share This: | |||||||
21-Feb-2010 | |||||||
More by : Subra Narayan | |||||||
Top | Travelogues | |||||||
Views: 10971 Comments: 2 | |||||||
Comments on this Article
kiki 01/29/2019 13:03 PM
sasi prabhakaran 04/20/2013 18:38 PM |
|||||||
| |||||||