Brihadisvara Temple, Thanjavur

Statue of Chola emperor Rajaraja I, who built the temple over 1003–1010 CE[1][2]

A spectrum of Hindu temple styles continued to develop from the fifth to the ninth century over the Chalukya era rule as evidenced in Aihole, Badami and Pattadakal, and then with the Pallava era as witnessed at Mamallapuram and other monuments. Thereafter, between 850 and 1280, Cholas emerged as the dominant dynasty.[2][3] The early Chola period saw a greater emphasis on securing their geopolitical boundaries and less emphasis on architecture. In the tenth century, within the Chola empire emerged features such as the multifaceted columns with projecting square capitals. This, states George Michell, signaled the start of the new Chola style.[2][note 1] This South Indian style is most fully realized both in scale and detail in the Brihadeshwara temple built between 1003 and 1010 by the Chola king Rajaraja I.[1][2]

Additions, renovations and repairs

The main temple along with its gopurams is from the early 11th century. The temple also saw additions, renovations, and repairs over the next 1,000 years. The raids and wars, particularly between Muslim Sultans who controlled Madurai and Hindu kings who controlled Thanjavur caused damage.[6][note 2] These were repaired by Hindu dynasties that regained control. In some cases, the rulers attempted to renovate the temple with faded paintings, by ordering new murals on top of the older ones. In other cases, they sponsored the addition of shrines. The significant shrines of Kartikeya (Murugan), Parvati (Amman) and Nandi are from the 16th and 17th-century Nayaka era.[6][8] Similarly the Dakshinamurti shrine was built later.[8] It was well maintained by Marathas of Tanjore.

^ a b Cite error: The named reference britbrihadthanj was invoked but never defined (see the help page). ^ a b c d Michell 1988, pp. 145–148 ^ S.R. Balasubrahmanyam 1975, pp. 1–2. ^ Douglas E. Barrett (1974). Early Cola Architecture and Sculpture; 866-1014 A.D. Faber. ISBN 978-0-571-10507-6. ^ Schwindler, Gary J. (1977). "Review: Early Cola Architecture and Sculpture". The Journal of Asian Studies. Cambridge University Press. 36 (4): 705. doi:10.2307/2054437. JSTOR 2054437. S2CID 163896079. ^ a b c George Michell (2008), Architecture and Art of Southern India, Cambridge University Press, pages 16-21, 89-91 ^ George Michell (2008), Architecture and Art of Southern India, Cambridge University Press, pages 9-13, 16-21 ^ a b S.R. Balasubrahmanyam 1975, pp. 25–26.

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