Sometime in 1600s the King of Tanjavur Raghunatha Nayak ordered to dig a water tank in the small village of Dharasuram in Tanjavur district. While the workers were digging the water tank, to their surprise they found idols of Rama and Sita buried underground. Inspired by this, the King who was a staunch devotee of Rama, ordered three temples to be built at Kumbakonam, Srirangam and Rama Sethu.
The one that was built in Kumbakonam is called Ramaswamy temple. This temple was built between 1600 and 1634 AD by Govinda Dikshitar who was a minister of the king Raghunatha Nayak.
This temple is at the center of Kumbakonam town facing north. The Rajagopuram at the entrance leads to Mahamandapam. This I can say is the art gallery of this ancient temple! Every column in this hall is profusely decorated with fantastic sculptures! Each pillar is a master piece of art. Every pillar narrates an episode from the Epic Ramayana.
The sculptures of Mahamandapam, they say, represent a very interesting amalgamation of Chola, Hoysala and Tanjur Nayak art tradition.
Please observe the last picture below carefully. Even the transparent dupatta on the girl is so intricately carved! The sculpture has brought out the effect of transparency so brilliantly on stone!
1 comment:
Beautiful architectures. Nice to know the story behind this temple.
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