Sunday, January 3, 2016

Brihadeeswarar Temple – Maratta Mandapam & Paintings

Brihadeeswarar Temple – Maratta Mandapam & Paintings
The Maratta mandapam is an extension of the Subramaniya shrine entrance and forms as Alangara Mandapa. In this mandapa many paintings reveal the Maratta rule and the portrait of the Maratta kings and queens. Paintings on the walls are in huge scale. As the granite wall is not suitable for painting, the wall is plastered with a thin layer of calcium for the paintings to fix on them firmly. The vibrant colors are used and gold is liberally used in the cloth garments and ornaments in the portraits reveal the luxury of the royal family.



During Shivaji Raja Period Maratta Kings drawings were painted in Mallappa Naikar mandapam (Opposite to Sri Subramaniyar Sannadhi). In Vinayagar Sannadhi mandapam we can see the faded paintings also.






The second parts of drawings are from Varunan Sannadhi to Somaraja Sannadhi on the outer corridor. The important paintings are  Gajalakshmi,  Naradha worshiping Saraswathy, Ganapathy on his vahanam Moonchuru, with his concerts on both side, Murugan on his vahanam Peacock with his consorts, Thiruvarur Thyagaraja worship by Andhanars, 64 Thiruvilayadal Purana stories etc,.