THANJAVUR: The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is organising a two-day seminar to commemorate the 1,000th year of Brihadisvara temple at Thanjavur on January 21 and 22 (Thursday and Friday), according to Sathyabhama Bhadrinath, Superintending Archaeologist, Chennai circle, ASI.
She told presspersons here on Wednesday that the theme of the seminar is “Brigadisvara temple the monument and its symbolism”.
Brihadeeswara Temple - "Also known as the Big Temple, it was built by Raja Raja Chola - I. One of the most spectacular piece of South Indian architecture, the temple took 12 years to complete, and King Raja Raja Chola - I, performed the Kumbhabhishekam (consecration ceremony) in 1011 AD. The temple was built in honour of his victorious reign, during when the Chola kingdom (10th to 14th centuries AD) extended till Ceylon and some parts of the Malaya archipelago."
The seminar to be held at South Zone Cultural Centre would be inaugurated by Thangam Tennarasu, Minister for School Education and Archaeology.
National and international scholars would be attending this seminar to discuss on varied subjects relating to the temple.
Brihadisvara Temple is one among the all stone temples built by Chola Kings. The other three are the temples at Gangaikonda Cholapuram, Darasuram and Thirubuvanam. Epigraphy, engineering aspects, inscription evidences of the temple would be discussed in the seminar.
The aim of the seminar is to create awareness about the world heritage monument among the public about this greatest creation and to promote its preservation, SathyabhamaBhadrinath said.
Nagasamy, Former director of state Archaeology, Champakalakshmi, former history professor of Jawaharlal Nehru University, Dr. Subbaryalu, former professor of Tamil University, professors from Anna University will participate in the seminar.
Conservation work taken up inside the temple is in its final stage.
It will be over in a month and then the temple will be ready for Kumbabhishekam, Sathyabhama Bhadrinath said.
Kumbabhishekams were held earlier in 1975 and 1998. A touch screen will be put up giving details of the monument.
Sighnages will be put up. A toilet built to international standards has already been put to use. There is provision for physically challenged persons also in the toilet.
ASI is planning to create new shoe repository on the right side of Keralandhagan gopuram at the entrance of the temple.
A cloak room, a handicrafts centre and an eatery are also on the anvil.
Sathyabhama Bhadrinath also said that the ASI had agreed in principle for holding a sound and light programme in the temple.
It was waiting for the feasibility report to give its approval.
She said that the moat around Big Temple has not yet been handed over to the ASI by the Thanjavur Municipality.
From THE HINDU
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