Historical Geography of Ancient India c7.586

c7.586

Tanjore (Tañjai).—It is the name of a village (S.I.I., I, p. 92; E.I., XXVII, Pt. VII, July, 1948—Tiruvorriyur Inscription of Caturanana Pa ḍita). The Tanjore temples contain a small shrine of Caṇḍeśvara. It was the capital of the Coḷa kings, Nayak rulers, and the Mahrāṭhā rājās. It is noted for its great Brahadīśvara (Bṛhadeśvara) temple which is the highest temple in India. Inscriptions of the Hoysala kings, Someśvara and Rāmanātha, are found as far south as Tanjore (Madras Archaeological Report, 1896-97). Puñjai (Tanjore district) came to be known as Kiḍāramgoṇḍān (M.E.R., 188, 191 and 196 of 1925). The ancient town of Tanjore is situated on the Kāverī river, about 218 miles south-west of Madras. The Bṛhadeśvara temple contains a very big Śivalingam. It is 217 ft. high and is a wonderful specimen of Indian architecture. It is surrounded by a big moat on all sides. The massive stone-built Nandi bull is found seated in front of the big temple. The temple contains massive toraṇa (gate) and maṇḍapa (pavilion), all built of stone. This temple was built at the time of king Rājendra Coḷa. (Law, Holy Places of India, p. 41.)