No foreigner business in periyakoil architecture. It was the work of our own artisans (Kunjara mallanaana Raaja Rajap perunthachan and co!). Periya koil is an engineering marvel. It is difficult (and even impossible, if I may say) to find an exact equivalent for this structure (other than Gangai konda cholapuram) in other parts of the world - because the vimana is not supported by one wall - but TWO WALLS AROUND THE GARBAGRAHA ! Something very very similar to how human beings stand in two legs. This should be one of the reasons for the structure surviving with a 6 FEET BASEMENT !! IF WE BUILD SUCH A BUILDING TODAY WITH 6 FEET BASEMENT -USING OUR LATEST ENGINEERING CALCULATIONS - THE STRUCTURE WILL FAIL. Civil engineering guys from our group should explore the architecture of periya koil in the light of modern design calculations. One of my engineering friends told me that the design is "ANTI CANTILEVER" -a concept not used in modern buildings (?). Needs further research.
Rajarajeswaram has nothing to do in designing and construction by any foreigner. It is pity that everyone is not able to visit the upper floors of the temple to understand the design aspects. As Gokul said, it is like the building Vimanam standing on two legs. Foundation is only 4 feet. Top stone is made of eight stones (Thanks to Kalaikkovan). No saram constructed. It was something like cone- ice design. Elephants lifted stones to upper floors on the spiral mud path covered around the Vimanam. Removed muds are still found on the Northwest and Southwest Corners of the temple (Thanks Kudavoil Balu). Foreigner figure is Nayakas addition (KK, KB and others). Not Yuanswang, Marcobolo or any one known to us... Let Gokul complete his write up on Rajarajeswaram. Sri has already promised to bring all the materials pertaining to Periyakoil under one heading. We will then have very detailed discn. If possible, an on line chat with KK, KB and others.
As Sri rightly pointed, there is heavy silence from Samudrarajakumari, Pavithra, gayathri, Krupa and others. Some of these people recently visited Mahabalipuram and saw Ilaya Pallavan's carvings !!! Start.....
Silence from my side is due to the fact that while I am able to check all the mails thru outlook express, to send mails I will have to connect to my yahoo, which I don't do in office. Ok from now onwards I will make it a point to send out mails as often as I can.
Reg. Rajarajeeshwaram, it is a unique masterpiece, which you can find nowhere else in the world, as far as I know. As rightly pointed out by SB, one has to go inside the temple, go to top floors and see the marvel, how the karuvarayin utsuvar and velisuvar have been joined. Karungallai nerukki vaithu padikattu pol. ___ __ __ __ __ ___ ___
According to Dr.K, the foriegner is a later addition. It is not in Karungal but is made of Stucco or Sudhai.
In the construction terminology, there are three types, Naagaram, Dravidam and another (forgot name) termed based on the shape. Most of the temples are Octagonal or rectangular in shape with dravida (circular) vimana. GKC is the only temple in the whole world which has all three types combined. octagonal. And Vimana is round in shape. It is a construction marvel. if you see how they change the shape from square to Octagonal, and then to circular, it is amazing.
I think I am dealing too much with construction and temple architectural details. OK. Let me stop with this.
And regarding the mamallapuram temple, we did a basic study of the Dharmaraja Ratham. There we were taught temple architectural/Sirpam terms by Akila Madam (Udavi aasiriyar of Varalaaru). It was an informative/educational trip. We all feel fortunate to have known and be able to move closely with Dr.K, (thanks to SB), Akila Madam, Nalini Madam and so many other historians here.
After reading this mail kindly read or remember the sarithiram paLagu written by our one and only Gokul. You all will know in what stage we are all, and after reading that tell me, Kamal, Gokul, Pavithra et all whether we can continue sending mails to the group. (pass on the virus :-).
> I am a little confused. Are there Ilaya Pallavan's(Karunakara Thondaimaan) > carvings in Mamallapuram?
Dude, By Ilaya pallavan - he meant Rajasimha pallava, the great builder among the pallava kings. Raajasimha was the one who built the shore temples & dharmaraja ratha of mahamallapuram, kailasanatha temple of kanchi (one of the earlierst surviving structural stone temple) etc.
Many historic novels have been written in tamil with rajasimha as the hero.
> Dude, > By Ilaya pallavan - he meant Rajasimha pallava, the great builder > among the pallava kings. Raajasimha was the one who built the shore > temples & dharmaraja ratha of mahamallapuram, kailasanatha temple of > kanchi (one of the earlierst surviving structural stone temple) etc.
Oh. I didn't know that Dharmaraja Ratha was of a later period than the other rathas.
> Many historic novels have been written in tamil with rajasimha as the > hero.
Ya. What is the Sandilyan novel, in which Rajasimha is the crown prince and the story closes with Rajasimha completing the prototype of Kailasanatha Temple?
> > Ya. What is the Sandilyan novel, in which Rajasimha is the crown prince and > the story closes with Rajasimha completing the prototype of Kailasanatha > Temple? >