Lavanya is absolutely right. some of us would have seen this temple more than hundred times. Yet we realise something NEW everytime we visit. KB also shared the same view. Dr. Nagaswamy in whose tenure during MGR Regime, State Archlgy found more historical sites and details is considered the Guru of KB. He enacted Musical Rajaraja nadakam and published in Pollachi Dr. Mahalingam's Sakthi magazine also. Inspite of having spent more than 40 years on the study of this temple, they feel, there is more to learn.
MAHUDAGAMAM (These details / Akasa lingam etc are already put on the mails earlier - about a year back) is a "Agama" governing the principle of construction of Big temple - AND IT DOES NOT FALL UNDER ANY OTHER CATEGORY. There are sanskrit versions avl to details, based on which the height of a diety, position, nature (Agni / Eka paada murthy etc), direction etc., are determined. A Rishabadevar kept aside by Nayaks, after replacing with the present one, was fitting exactly as per the dimensions / proportions of the Vidangar / Rishabadevar.
Rishaba Devar is Vahanam. Adhikaranandhi is Aide of Siva - with Authority. He explained Siva lingam principle - related cosmic details. A square stem, with an octogonal middle and a circular upper has specific explanations. KAMAL EXPLAINED THIS IN GKC. MEANS THE VIMANAM OF GKC ITSELF IS AKASALINGAM - A KIND OF LINGAM UNDER AKASAM! In periyakoil, the Void between Peruvudayar and inside top is also Akasa lingam. Rajraja performed Archana with Gold Lotus flowers! Was he, YES was his answer - quoting a Painting Panel opposite to Chidambaram panel in the Mez level paintings!
A person of royal personality sits in front of a Lingam - Nataraja - at one level - with about 14 women in the lower level. Kudavoil says this Nataraja is the one left untouched all these 1000 yrs .. Cited the Ekkalam and we were invited here only!
A similar looking person with 3 royal women worshipping at Chidambaram! Sundaramurthy Nayanar panel - Sundarar Wedding to reaching Kailasam - bottom top to top! interesting fact is that When Sekkizhar wrote of Periyapuranam, he visited Big temple and wrote the Sundarar story exactly as per the minutest details in THIS PANTING!
Do they belong to Rajaraja period - Rajendra or Kulothunga - were the kind of versions discussed among ourselves - which prompted the earlier mails on subject.
For some reasons, personally I prefer to identify with RR because, we happen to see AN OFFICIAL OF KULOTHUNGA performing VRIDHA to RESURRECT a Thirumundril (Front yard of a Mandapam) - where UDAYAR SRI RAJARAJA THEVAR EZHUNDHARULINAR! - which was dilapidated.
PERIYATHEVAR was a kind of Bronze (Brass mix corrected KB in a private talk) placed by the Son in memory of his deceased father says KB quoting Rajendra gave a Vibuthimadal to periyadevar and GODIFIED!
WHEN UDAYAR SRI RAJRAJA THEVAR was considered so high, I do not think his son or grand son would have touched his Temple .. LIFETIME AMBITIION COME TRUE ... I feel this as one of the reasons for unfinished Karanas as well .. THIS IS A FEELING .. I tend to disagree with Rajendra moving force to GKC etc.,
Please read Dr. Kalaikkovan's Tribute to Rajrajan in Jan issue ..varalaaru.com. The best ever written by any one on anybody ..
We will leave the VERSIONS with the Scholars and continue LEARNING ..
> he, YES was his answer - quoting a Painting Panel opposite to > Chidambaram panel in the Mez level paintings!
> A similar looking person with 3 royal women worshipping at Chidambaram!
In Panchavan mahadevi pallipadai, on the western side of the vimana (on back side of garbagruha), a strikingly similar sculpture is seen. A man with beard & kondai - just a single man - sitting in a posture very similar to the painting quoted with clasped hands - in front of shivalinga.