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| Brihadishvara Temple, Thanjavur, TN upload.wikimedia.org |
As the the COVID-19 pandemic situation had not improved then, the temple authorities, on instruction from the government, did not want to take any risk as the people would gather in large number in one place. Normally, a gala event with colorful procession, cultural programs and the district collector inaugurating the birthday of the emperor (on the Sathayam Nakshatram day), it turned to be a simple event.
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| Sathaya Vizha, pandhakkal installation, big temple, thehindu.com. |
This year the 1,036th Sathaya Vizha is scheduled to take place today 13 November and on Monday itself the pandhakkal installation ceremony was held in the presence of prominent people from the local area.
A decision was made to celebrate the annual Sathaya Vizha as a single day event just like 26 October 2020 on account of COVID -19 Pandemic second wave threats.
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| .11th C stolen idols of king raja Raja and his queen.newindianexpress.com |
Above image: The two 11th century bronzes of Rajaraja Chola and his queen Lokmadevi, stolen from the Peruvudayar temple more than 50 years ago and were recovered from a museum in Ahmedabad in June 2018 and later they were brought back to the big temple. Upon Kumbakonam Sub court orders, the idols were to be installed in the temple.......................
The early event in the morning will include garlanding of the statue of Raja Raja Cholan installed outside the temple in the Cholan park. Special abhishekams will be performed for Lord Peruvudaiyar (God Shiva in the form of Lingam) and this will be followed by Perundheepa vazhipaadu in the afternoon and Swami purappadu (holy procession) within the temple in the evening. The procession of deities will be confined to the temple premises and will not be taken out on the four main streets. Further, visitors to the temple will be very much restricted as part of precaution against the pandemic.
Tit-bits:
Brihadishvara Temple (originally known as Peruvudaiyar Kovil) locally known as Thanjai Periya Kovil, and also called Rajarajeswaram, is one of the largest Hindu temples and is fine example of Dravidian architecture. It is often referred to as Dakshina Meru (Meru of south), Built by Rajaraja between 1003 and 1010 it is a part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the "Great Living Chola Temples." The temple complex that is entirely made of hard rocks- granite related verities includes a large pillared and covered veranda (prakara) in its spacious courtyard, with a perimeter of about 450 meters (1,480 ft) for circumambulation. Normally, devotees use the open court yard as the pradhashnapath. This temple has one of the largest cupola atop the tower and also one of the largest nandis (bulls) made of a single stone.
https://navrangindia.blogspot.com/2019/11/king-raja-raja-chola-ii1034-birth.html
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