Posted on 06.11.2011, and completed on 24.01.2014
In both postcards is Brihadisvara temple, also known as Rajarajeswaram or Peruvudaiyar Kovil, located in Thanjavur (formerly Tanjore) in state of Tamil Nadu, in the southern part of India. Dedicated to Lord Shiva and considered as one of the greatest glories of India, this temple reflects the power of its creator, Raja Raja Chola I (985-1014 AD), the greatest of the Chola Monarchs, which has built it between the year 1003 and 1010. It was listed as one of the world heritage site by UNESCO in 1987, and in 2004 was joined other two temples built by kings of the Chola Empire in 11th and 12th centuries, the Brihadisvara Temple at Gangaikondacholisvaram and the Airavatesvara Temple at Darasuram, forming together the site Great Living Chola Temples, which testify to the brilliant achievements of the Chola in architecture, sculpture, painting and bronze casting.
The temple, one of the largest in India and one of India's most prized architectural sites, can be approached from the eastern side through two gateways (or Gopuras - one can be seen in the first postcard). The exterior is decorated with hundreds of painted sculptures and the interior has a massive statue of Nandi Bull (the mount of Lord Shiva), a shrine with octagonal dome known as Chandeshvara, a columned hall, a towered sanctuary and other small shrines. On the walls of the sanctuary are well carved figures of Shiva and other gods (lingams), but also frescoes portraying the mythological episodes of the journey of Sundarar and the Chera King to heaven, the battle scene of Tripurantaka (Lord Shiva) with Asuras (demons). In the frescoe from the second postcard is Chamunda, a fearsome aspect of Devi, the Hindu Divine Mother and one of the seven Matrikas (mother goddesses). The temple stands within a fort, whose walls (also in the first postcard) are later additions built in the 16th century.
In the Hindu religion the elephant represents Lord Ganesha, who became the Lord (Isha) of all existing beings (Gana) after winning a contest from his brother Kartikay. When given the task to race around the universe, Ganesha didn’t start the race as Kartikay did, but simply walked around Shiva and Parvati, his father and mother as the source of all existence. One of the most important Gods, Ganesha is worshipped by virtually every Hindu, whatever his other spiritual preferences. Many large Hindu temples have elephants outside their doors (donated to them to use daily or hire for use during important festivals) to give blessings to visitors (as can be seen in the first postcard). Each blessing costs a nominal fee which is split between the elephant trainer (mahout) and the temple.
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