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| Great rajaraja Chola king zeenews.india.com |
The famous 11th century big temple Sri Brihadeewara temple of Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, a UNESCO recognized World Heritage Site is a popular one across India and the globe for its architectural grandeur. The temple entered the UNESCO World Heritage Site list in 1987 and is also a part of "Great Living Chola Temples". The temple turned 1000 years old in 2010 When late Kalingar karunanidhi was the CM then.
Though shrouded in mystery, the Big temple (as it is called locally) is so famous thousands of people visit this Hindu temple daily. But, for the politician, it is a nightmare to step into the sanctified Shiva temple and it has been so since the 1960s. The belief among the netas has been that regardless of their party affiliation, they can visit any historical temple in the delta region without any hesitation, but not the big temple. If compulsion arises they will avoid main entrance gate to the temple on the east and enter the premise from the side, of course, with trepidation. Haunted by fear that the curtain will come down for good on their political life or prospects after a visit to the temple, politicians never go closer to the temple. Even to day driven by fear psychosis and the so- called Hex Factor all politicians harbor uncontrollable reservations about entering the Thanjavur big temple especially through the main entrance facing the main road.
During the recent Satha Vizha held on the 4th of November at Thanjavur, prominent politicians never entered the temple and witnesses other events held inside the temple premises. They did attend the garlanding ceremony held the Cholan park way outside the temple complex. They paid respect and garlanded the statue of king Rajaraja. They did not even attend the religious procession carrying Thirumurai manuscripts atop the elephant, According to some media reports senior politicians in the ruling ministry attended functions related to Rajaraja's sathaya Viza held at a small village near Kumbakonam. Having come up to Kumbakonam, they never visited Thanjavur and took part in the function.
Every year the ‘Sathaya Vizha’ has been organized by the Sathaya Vizha Committee, Thanjavur big temple with a view to marking the birth anniversary of one of the greatest Chola rulers ever lived in this part of South India. it is a way to honor the king and express our gratitude to him. Sri Raja Raja Chola was not only a great ruler but also an excellent administrator and builder of Hindu temples. It is a symbol of Raja Rajan's spiritual, scientific and artistic bent of mind.
That why politicians on a visit to this city are afraid to enter the temple still remains a riddle.
Tit-bits:
Brihadishvara Temple (originally known as Peruvudaiyar Kovil) locally known as Thanjai Periya Kovil also goes by the name of Rajarajeswaram It is one of the largest Hindu temples and is fine example of Dravidian architecture and is often referred to as Dakshina Meru (Meru of south),
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| 1th C stolen idols of king raja Raja and his queen.newindianexpress.com |
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