9 reasons why the Brihadeeshwara Temple in Tamil Nadu, is one of the greatest structures ever built.
1. The temple is built using the interlock method where no cement, plaster or adhesive was used between the stones. It has survived 1000 years and 6 earthquakes.
2. The temple tower was 216 feet which was likely the tallest in the world at that time.
3. The other structures like Big Ben and Leaning Tower of Pisa was built using the same method are tilting with time. The temple is far older and has zero degree inclination.
4. 130,000 tons of granite was used to build the temple which was transported by 3000 elephants from 60 kms away
5. The temple was constructed without digging the earth. There was no foundation dug for the temple.
6. The Kumbham at the top of the temple tower weighs 80 tons and is monolithic. Yes it’s monolithic! Craved from a single stone
7. Several theories exist as to how the 80 ton stone piece got at the top of 200+ feet tower. Some suggest the use of levitation technology, but the more plausible explaination seems to be the use of elephants to pull the stone piece across a nearly 6 km long ramp.
8. It is said that several underground passages exist below the temple, most of which were sealed off centuries ago. It is said that these underground passages were safety traps and exit points for the Cholas. Some sources put the count of these passages to 100
9. The temple is so remarkable that some people go the the extent of saying that it was built by aliens. There is nothing quite like the Brihadeeswara temple and there will never be something quite like it. Raja Raja Chola was a man of vision. We must treasure this timeless marvel.
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