Brihadeeswarar Temple – Keralaanthagan Gopuram
Rajaraja Chola assumed the title of Keralaanthagan
meaning Destroyer of Kerala (Chera's) after his victory over Kerala king
Baskararavivarma. This gopuram is named after this title.
This is a five stage gopuram. In the front side of the
gopuram one can see various forms of Shiva - Rudhrathandava pose (a fierce
Shiva in dancing form), Shiva with Parvathi, Bikshadanar (Shiva as beggar).
In the rear side of the gopuram one can see Krishna
Leela, Mahavishnu in the first stage, Narasimha combating with Hiranyakasipu in
one side and Hiranya Samkara on the other side. On the top stage Shiva and
Vishnu idols are seen.
The Keralaanthagan gopuram is constructed on the same
architectural concept of the Srivimana. Firstly, the load is distributed on two
huge granite walls and the walls are merged into single structure as it
approaches the height. Secondly, the Ball and Lock of the huge granites locks
themselves with the neighboring rock, one can see the small projections evenly
distributed on the base of the structure. Thirdly, the huge base platform
distributes the load to the ground with the minimum foundation depth.
