Thursday, February 6, 2020

Dravida architecture does not mean "Tamil" architecture. ((Part 4 of my video talk in Tamil in 'Desiya Siragugal' channel)

Previous parts:
Part 1  "Cholas and Rama belonged to the same lineage."
Part 2   "Muruga initiated the first ever Vedic Homa"
Part 3   ""No curse on the Big Temple"

This is the 4th and final part in a series of videos of an interview given by me to Mr Saiganesh of Desiya Siragugal channel on the various issues around the Kumbhabhishekam of Tanjore Big Temple. This video focuses on the the type of architecture of the Big temple. In a tweet the DMK chief Mr MK Stalin had referred to the architecture of the temple as Dravidian, meaning Tamil. He even said that the temple is a cultural symbol. I am addressing these views in this video.



Mr MK Stalin's tweet




Dravidian architecture doesn't mean Tamil architecture. Dravida architecture is one among the 3 types of temple architecture detailed in Mayamatham, a text on Maya- vaastu. It can appear in any part of the globe, but will be established in the southern part of the city or town where the temple is erected. It does not refer to South India.

The three types of temples are Naagara, Dravida and Vesara. The Naagara are installed in the northern part of the city, Dravida in the southern part and Vesara in east and western part of a city. This was mistaken to mean that Dravida temples will be there in South India. Chauvinistic politicians relate it with Tamil.

Infact most temples found in Tamilnadu are Naagara type only. The Naagara temples are square or rectangle at base and at Gopuram as well. The Gopuram will taper down but in successive layers of rectangle or square shape.

In the Dravida will have 6- sided or 8- sided base and Gopuram. The Vesara are round shaped.

The Big temple is found to be a mix of Naagara and Dravida. Its base is square called "Meruka" - the seat of Brahma. Its tower is rectangular but top is octagonal making it Dravida mixed with Naagara.

The height of the consecrated Linga changes in each of these three types of architecture. The Shiva linga of Brahadeeswara at the Big temple conforms with Dravida dimensions signifying "Pushti" or growth.

The Gopuram has a unique display of Mt Kailash like structure within which the Linga image of the deity is consecrated. So it is right to call this temple as "Dakshina Kailash"

King Rajaraja, a strong devotee of Lord Shiva had built this temple as a unique combination of exalted features, befitting his status and that of the deity. Since Pushti- dimension is found, this temple was obviously built for the purpose of growth of his name and kingdom. Hence people should not be misled by the propaganda of the vested interests that are bent on de-hinduising the temple and the king Rajaraja himself. More in the video.



1 comment:

Raghu said...

தமிழும் சமஸ்கிருதமும் ஆதியிலிருந்து ஒன்றாக வழக்கத்திலிருந்தவை என்பதை நன்கு விளக்கியிருக்கிறீர்கள்.

ஒன்றாகச் சேர்ந்து நன்றாக, நேர்மையாக வாழ்வோம் என்பதை விட்டுவிட்டு பதவி வெறி பிடித்த கூட்டம் மக்களைப் பிரித்தால்தான் ஆளமுடியும் என்ற எண்ணத்திலேயே இன, மொழி வேற்றுமைகளை பெரிதுபடுத்துகிறார்கள். நேர்மையான ஆட்சி தர திராணியற்ற முட்டாள் கலகக்காரர்களிடம் இருந்து வேறு எதை எதிர்பார்க்கமுடியும்?