MARVELS OF THE WORLD -- 04 : THE BIG TEMPLE, INDIA

THE BIG TEMPLE : GREAT AND GRAND

(By Subbaram Danda)

The Big Temple at Thanjavur in Tamil Nadu, India, is an ancient Hindu shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva, commanding several incredible architectural features not found elsewhere in India or abroad.  As the name indicates, every thing about the temple is immense, and the fabulous fare it offers can only be described in the superlative.   It is a temple, where active worship has been going on for centuries.

Also called Brihadisvara Temple after a prominent name of the Lord, it was built in 1010 AD by Emperor Rajaraja I of the Chola Dynasty, who is counted among the greatest Tamil rulers.   The temple is the magnificent culmination of the multi-faceted achievements of the Chola kings, who generously patronised art, architecture, sculpture, painting and bronze-casting.  It is the world’s first complete granite edifice of its kind.

The temple has boldly incorporated new styles and norms of construction courageously deviating from the traditional path.  For instance, its vimana (the tower above the sanctum sanctorum) was designed and constructed to be significantly taller than its gopurams (the towers at the entrance).



The Big Temple: The 14-tier vimana

with 81-tonne cupola and 12.5 ft. kalasa on top

Weight of 20 jumbos

Experts point out that the Big Temple’s vimana at over 200 feet is among the tallest structures of their kind in the world – taller than a modern 20-storey skyscraper!  It rises from a square base and is shaped like a pyramid soaring high with 14 tiers.  The vimana showcases elaborately decorated sculptures highlighting divine anecdotes, mythological events and Tamil legends. 

On top of the vimana rests a huge monolithic granite cupola weighing 81 tonnes.  It is equivalent to the combined weight of more than 1,100 adult human beings or 20 well-fed elephants!   How was such a heavy rock taken to the top of the very tall vimana more than 1,000 years ago, when techniques of modern technology were not available?  Hats off to Chola architects and engineers!  They did it.  The cupola is believed to have been pushed up to its position on a solid ramp laid from a place more than six kilometers (about four miles) away.  On top of the cupola is a gold-covered kalasa or finial 12.5 feet high.   Interestingly, there is yet another characteristic that one should admire.  It is claimed that the shadow of the cupola never falls on the ground!

An ornate gopuram  (Photo courtesy:
Archaeological Survey of India)

Colossal Linga

An outstanding feature of the Big Temple is its thoughtfully and spaciously designed sanctum sanctorum.  A colossal Shiva Linga, the traditional symbolic representation of the Lord, stands majestically rising to a height of about 12 feet.   For priests to carry out their rituals of worship there is comfortable room to move around and a nice flight of steps to gain height.  For the devotees also there is sufficient space to remain in front of the shrine and pray.   

The passage surrounding the sanctum has some notable large images.  The wall space and the ceiling of the passage display several exquisite paintings.  In the first floor of the temple on the inner walls of a corridor, not easily accessible, there are brilliant sculptures of 87 dance poses.  Known as Karanas portrayed by Shiva himself, they are said to be “invaluable for the Indian dance form of Bharata Natya.”

In the front court facing the main shrine is a huge monolithic bull Nandi, the traditional mount of Shiva, measuring 16 feet in length, 8 feet in breadth and 13 feet in height.  There is a canopy above the bull added in later times.  The Nandi is the second largest in India, the first being the one at the Lepakshi temple in Andhra Pradesh.

Millennium celebrations

The temple offers many other attractions as well to the visitors with keen and roving eyes.  Ornate gopurams, vast open spaces, several smaller shrines, statue-studded niches, numerous inscriptions and large pillared halls do not fail to impress them.  It was planned and built not only to be a place of worship but also to serve as a centre for cultural, social and religious activities.   This is a temple which has withstood the ravages of time.   Its millennium was celebrated on a grand scale in September 2010.

There is another Brihadisvara Temple at Gangaikondacholapuram in Tiruchi district nearby built by Rajaraja’s son Rajendra Chola after his victorious march up to the Ganga.  It is similar to the Thanjavur shrine but different in details.   Yet another Airavateswara temple at Darasuram in Thanjavur district was built by Rajaraja Chola II.  These three major Chola temples have together received the World Heritage status from UNESCO. 

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HUMOUR UNLEASHED -- 06

HUMOUR UNLEASHED -- 06

(Compiled by Subbaram Danda)

"A day without laughter is a day totally wasted" -- Charlie Chaplin

Golden experience

A week before Akshaya Tritiya, believed to be the most auspicious day in a year to buy gold for continued prosperity, a young man met a friend in a park.  They talked about everything under the sun and finally their topic of discussion veered round to Akshaya Tritiya.

Young man: “There seems to be truth in what people say about acquiring gold on the auspicious day.  Three years ago my aunt purchased five gold coins on the day and since then she has been incredibly building up her savings and buying gold.”

Friend:  “I also know a man, who has turned a new leaf after buying gold on the auspicious day.”

Both took a decision to acquire gold on the upcoming Akshaya Tritiya.  They met again after the celebrated day and shared their experiences.

Young man:  “I am now the proud possessor of a three-sovereign gold chain.  Can you guess how I got it?  I stole it from my neighbour.”

Friend:  “Do you think I am less talented?  I now have a gold ring.  I eased it stealthily out of the finger of my lover.”

They were jubilant that they could acquire gold on Akshaya Tritiya and looked forward to a rosy future in their lives.   They agreed to meet after a month and exchange notes on whatever progress they could make.

And they did meet – in jail !

Politician’s speech

A politician made a long speech at a public meeting on the sands of the Marina in Chennai, India.  As he concluded his talk and left the podium, there were resounding whistles and catcalls, followed by synchronized clapping.  He took them as a positive response from the crowd and felt satisfied.

However, he wanted to double check with the person seated next to him on the dais and asked him, “How was my speech?”

The person remained quiet for a minute embarrassed to express what he had in mind and then replied, “I think you should make such a speech on the television.”

“Is it because the small screen has a far wider audience than a public meeting?” the politician was eager to know.

The person answered with a cool flourish, “There, one has an option to change the channel.”

Winning ad

A newspaper decided to launch a campaign to boost its revenues from classified advertisements.  Next day it carried an announcement: “For a week from today we will be pleased to accept free of charge classified ads under the head Wanted. They should be simple and short, their words not exceeding ten.  The ad, which will receive the maximum number of responses, will be entitled to a bumper prize – the latest version of BMW limousine.” 

After a week it was found that one particular ad had attracted an unusually large number of replies and the newspaper selected that entry for the prize.

The ad was: “Wife wanted.”

The responses were equally brief and nearly uniform: “Take mine.” 

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MARVELS OF THE WORLD -- 03 : KEUKENHOF FLOWER SHOW, HOLLAND

KEUKENHOF FLOWER SHOW : POETRY IN BLOOM

(By Subbaram Danda)



It is a flamboyant riot of flashy colours.  Rows and long rows of tulip plants sway gently in mild breeze displaying their flowery treasures in various colours – fiery scarlet and pure white, golden yellow and hazy blue, vibrant violet and suave rose, and a brilliant host of others.  There are near black tulips as well!

The scene is the vast flower garden at Keukenhof in the small town of Lisse in South Holland, bedecked for an annual flower show between end-March and mid-May.  The exhibition showcases not only tulips but also daffodils, hyacinths and other spring flowers.  However, tulips are the cynosure of all eyes.

The park has set several records.   It is the “most beautiful spring garden in the world” and the largest of its kind.  It is considered “the most photographed place” on the planet.   More than 4.5 million tulip flowers in over 100 varieties dazzle the onlookers.   In 62 years since its inaugural show, the park has clocked over 50 million people!!

Rows and colourful rows of flower bulbs

Magical touch

The entire 80-acre Keukenhof garden has been pleasingly developed by landscape artists and horticultural experts aided by computers.  There are hundreds of flower beds of various sizes and shapes amidst neatly-trimmed and smartly-groomed old towering trees.  Vast fields have been separately earmarked for raising rows and rows of colourful flower bulbs and their hybrids on a large scale.   Waterways with swans majestically gliding on them and fountains here and there provide a touch of magic.

Well-laid-out pathways for as long as 15 kilometres connect different parts of the garden, facilitating easy movement of visitors.  One can pedal on a cycle around the flower fields or sail on shallow canals skirting them in eco-friendly “whistling boats.”  Flower lovers come in caravans too, parking their vehicles along paths adjacent to the flower bulb fields, and enjoy a leisurely stroll admiring the blooms.  The park also boasts of several statues and other works of art placed at strategic points.  And the 280 benches and 32 bridges in the garden do not constitute the last word.

The history of the garden is as colourful as its flower bulbs.  In the 15^th century the area was a dense wood marked by huge trees interspersed with dunes and was the hunting ground of Dutch Countess Jacoba van Beieren.   Herbs for the kitchen of the castle of the countess came from here.   In the Dutch language keuken means kitchen and hence the name to the area.

Flower beds and fountains

It was in 1840 that an initiative was taken to raise a garden on scientific lines.    Finally in 1949, the Mayor of Lisse with dozens of prominent flower growers and exporters came up with the idea of organizing an international open-air exhibition there to showcase, in particular, Holland’s flower bulb industry and kick-started the Keukenhof’s annual flower show.   Since then there is no going back on the idea.  The Netherlands enjoys the distinction of being the world’s largest exporter of flowers.

Turkish connection

For tulips, the mainstay of the Keukenhof garden, Holland is only an adopted home, not its birthplace.  The flowers were first cultivated in Central Asia before they made their way to the west.  In fact, the word tulip is said to have originated from the Turkish word tulbend meaning turban.  Turkish farmers cultivated tulips as early as 1000 AD.

Tulips are regarded as a symbol of love.  Purple flowers are supposed to represent the royalty.  They have been cherished by the Dutch for generations and have become “an irrefutable hallmark” of Holland.  In fact, there is a museum for tulips in the capital city of Amsterdam.

Now-a-days tulips and similar bulb varieties are cultivated all over the world, wherever the climate is conducive.   Tulips have been planted in the garden in front of the Buckingham Palace in London.  In China a festival is organized every spring.  The US too has its own tulip parks.  In India, they can be seen in full bloom in Kashmir during their season. 

But the Keukenhof garden takes the cake.  Thrilled by the delightful fare it offers, a connoisseur has remarked, “If there is a Garden of Eden, it is here, gorgeous and graceful.”

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HUMOUR UNLEASHED -- 05

HUMOUR UNLEASHED -- 05

(Compiled by Subbaram Danda)

"A thing of humour is a joy forever"

Exemplary justice

A pilot and a doctor, on their death on the same day, are produced in the court of Yama, the Lord of Death and Dispenser of Justice.  

Chitragupta, the chronicler of sins and noble acts of men on earth, pointing to the pilot says: “My Lord, he is the kingpin behind labour unrest in a major airline.  He actively organized a crippling strike resulting in cancellation of many flights.  Life-saving drugs could not be air-lifted and supplied to several terminal patients.   Consequently they died prematurely.  The strike also played havoc with holiday seekers.  He blatantly disobeyed court orders.”

Yama: “No doubt, he has committed the most heinous crime.  Send him to the House of Horrors and deep fry him in the burning oil cauldron.”

Now it is the turn of the doctor.

Chitragupta: “My Lord, here is a doctor who flouted all norms of decency.  He is worse than the legendary Shylock.  He collected exorbitant fees even from the poor.  He made patients undergo unwanted tests and scans and received commission from the labs.  In many instances he refused to treat even emergency cases….”

Yama: “Go on.”

Chitragupta:  “In the latest case, this doctor turned back the pilot, whom you sentenced a few minutes ago, when the latter approached him following a heart attack.  Without timely treatment he died.  Enraged by this, the pilot’s supporters clobbered the doctor to death.”

Yama, after deep contemplation, said: “This is an interesting case.  Taking everything into account, I am inclined to pronounce that hell is not the place for him.  He should go to the House of Thousand Pleasures in heaven and enjoy himself as long as he wishes.  He has dispensed exemplary justice in his last act by not treating the pilot.  Hats off to him.”  

Collection

A top industrialist ran into heavy debts, following collapse of his business.  Rumours started floating that he was considering raising funds from all and sundry and if that failed, he would douse himself in petrol and commit suicide.

One day he stopped traffic on a major highway and moved from one vehicle to another frantically talking to the person at the wheel.  Soon the entire area was in a jam not seen for years.

A traffic policeman appeared on the scene and made some enquiries.  He too started going up and down restlessly moving from one car to another.

A puzzled onlooker approached the cop and sought to know what was really happening.  The policeman hurriedly narrated the story of the indebted industrialist and said he was himself trying to make some collection for him.

The onlooker wanted to make a contribution himself and asked the cop, “Sir, how much you have been able to collect so far?”

“Not much,” he replied, “only half a litre of petrol.”

Instant placement

A man was interested in getting his son admitted in an engineering college of standing in the city.   He was not satisfied with what his friends and relatives had told him.  He wanted to make his own enquiries and started visiting one college after another.

When he entered an autonomous institution looking for some respectable-looking being to speak to, a man in a khakhi uniform approached him and said, “May I help you, sir?  I am a messenger here.”

The father of the boy looked at him for a minute and asked him in a whisper, “Please tell me honestly, how good this college is.  Will all the students get placed after their course is over and how soon?”

The person in khakhi replied at once, “Sure, sir.  This is a college with its own standards.  Every student can be sure of a job immediately after the pass-out.  Don’t have any doubts.”

The man looked happy but wanted to probe further.  “How do you say so?”

The messenger assured him, “Believe me, sir, I am an old student of this college and got this job the instant I passed my B.E.”

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MARVELS OF THE WORLD -- 02 : JANTAR MANTAR OF JAIPUR, INDIA

JANTAR MANTAR : PROBING THE CELESTIAL MYSTERIES

(By Subbaram Danda)

The Jantar Mantar at  Jaipur in the state of Rajasthan, India, is an 18^th century open-air observatory with large-sized stone-and-marble structures in various geometrical shapes strategically placed at different points to study the movements of celestial bodies in the sky.  It is far different from any present-day star-gazing facility, either in concept or design.  

It was built at the behest of King Sawai Jai Singh II of the Rajput ancestry during 1727 – 1734 AD.  In fact, it is the second of a total of five observatories set up by the king.    The others have their locations in Delhi, Ujjain, Varanasi and Mathura, but the last one does not exist anymore.

Every observatory was originally called Yantra Mantra meaning gadgets and chants in Sanskrit.  This nomenclature was adopted to impart an aura of mystery and sanctity to the entire system.  In course of time the name became Jantar Mantar.

Bird's eye view of Jantar Mantar, Jaipur

Best preserved observatory

The Jaipur complex is considered by far “the largest observatory of its kind in the world and the best preserved one.” Its 14 masonry structures track and map the movements of the sun, moon, planets, stars and constellations.

It is indeed mind-boggling to visualise how the scholars (astronomy and astrology experts) and engineers of those days were able to conceive the design of each masonry structure to suit their requirements, determine its exact location in the complex, align its direction and position to the relevant celestial object and finally execute the entire scheme.  They succeeded brilliantly in producing the desired results and more important, all the devices are working well even today.

To the untrained eye one structure looks like the flight of steps attached to a sliding board in any children’s play area and another appears like a large bowl.   Yet another gives the impression of a huge maze.  There are also crescent moon-shaped formations.

Unreserved praise

The foresight, wisdom and zeal of the king came in for unreserved praise from all quarters, because he was personally instrumental in ensuring the setting up of the observatory as a perfect system.   It should be said to his credit that before embarking on his first observatory in Delhi he himself studied several available texts on the subject and sent scholars to foreign countries to collect whatever information they could on the developments in the field. 

The Jayaprakash Yantra

Interestingly all this happened at a time when the technological progress elsewhere in the world offered little to be desired.  James Watt, inventor of the first reliable steam engine, was yet to be born.  Industrial Revolution was in its infancy in Great Britain.  Politically, “the United States Declaration of independence” was four decades away.   

The primary intention of the observatory was to collect accurate celestial data to develop almanacs, predict eclipses, determine the time of religious festivals, forecast monsoons and also prepare horoscopes (birth charts) of royal celebrities and other dignitaries.  This was accomplished with precision.  There were no quartz chronometers, atomic clocks or GPS satellites at that time.

Unique experience

A walk through the facility offers every visitor a unique experience of observing a “collective astronomical system at work designed to probe the heavens.”  Each structure is known as a Yantra and has a distinctive name of its own.  For example, Samrat Yantra is a massive sundial in the shape of a large triangle, which tells the local time exactly.   The largest sundial of its kind in the world, it has a time scale with sub-divisions as fine as two seconds! 

Jayaprakash Yantra, made of color and white marble, consists of two huge bowls looking skywards with their tops covered by bands of slabs at specific intervals.  It performs multiple tasks and one of its major functions is to monitor the positions of the sun and other celestial bodies.   Rama Yantra gives the altitude and the azimuth (co-ordinates) of different heavenly objects.  Misra Yantra ascertains, among others, the shortest and longest days of a year. 

Jantar Mantar, Jaipur, was restored in 1901 and was declared a national monument in 1948. The tag of a World Heritage Site came in 2010. While granting the status, UNESCO described it as “an expression of the astronomical skills and cosmological concepts developed by the court of a scholarly prince.”   It is indeed much more than that.

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May 1, 2011