Posts Tagged Thanjavur
HC Bench says no to borewell inside Big Temple premises to celebrate
The Madras High Court Bench here on Thursday restrained the Thanjavur Collector from sinking borewells inside the Brahadeeshwarar Temple premises as part of arrangements to celebrate 1,000th year of building of the temple on September 25 and 26.
A Division Bench comprising Justices D. Murugesan and M. Duraiswamy granted the interim injunction pursuant to a public interest litigation petition filed by Thanjavur Big Temple Rights Retrieval Committee represented by its president C. Murugesan (62) of Ayyanarpuram in Thanjavur Taluk.
According to the petitioner, the Brahadeeshwarar Temple, built by Raja Raja Chola-I in 1910, was a magnificent manifestation of the Chola style of architecture. It was notified as a World Heritage Site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisations (UNESCO).
Also known as Big Temple or Rajarajeswaram Temple, it was declared as an ancient and historical monument under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958 and protected under the Madras Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1966.
Claiming that the officials had decided to drill a 400-metre deep borewell near the southern corridor, the petitioner said that the location was just 50 metres away from the main structure housing the sanctum sanctorum.
Enquiries revealed that the borewell was being sunk for the Abishekam (pouring holy water on the deity) which, as per the Agama Sastras (religious procedures), has to be done only with water taken from the temple premises.
“We are not questioning such Agamam. If there is any such Agamam, it can be followed by taking water from the Sivagangai Kulam which is also inside the temple premises,” the petitioner’s affidavit read.
His counsel T. Lajapathi Roy claimed that pumping water from the ground might weaken the gigantic main tower of the temple. “A notice board at the entrance states that it is a crime to dig a pit within 200 metres from the temple. But it is surprising to know that now a borewell was being sunk,” he said.
He also contended that neither a serious scientific analysis was undertaken nor any expert body was constituted before giving permission to sink the borewell inside the temple premises.
Security beefed up at the Brahadheeswarar Temple after bomb scare
Posted by ganesh in Information, Other, Temples, Thanjavur, anniversary, bomb, government, illegal, police on August 25th, 2010
Security has been beefed up at the Brahadheeswarar Temple, famously known as Big Temple, the World Heritage Monument following a bomb scare.
The security agencies were on tenterhooks after Dr Rajendran, Vice-Chancellor of Tamil University, Thanjavur, received a letter a couple of days back warning a bomb blast at the temple, which is bracing up to celebrate the 1000th year anniversary.
Police said an anonymous letter addressed to the Vice-Chancellor stated that he was taking revenge as he became jobless after being betrayed by the state Education Department officials.
He said he wanted to take revenge against the officials concerned and had planted bombs both at the Temple and Thanjavur Tamil University premises. The bombs might go off any moment today, he warned in the letter.
Acting on a complaint lodged by the Vice-Chancellor, two separate police teams comprising anti bomb squads conducted a thorough search at the Temple precincts and University complex but found that the threat turned out to be a hoax.
However, the district police intensified security at the Big Temple as a precautionary measure. Armed police personnel were posted in front of the Temple and devotees were allowed only after thorough search,
Arrived at Red Ribbon Express in Thanjavur
Posted by ganesh in Communication, Culture, Entertainment, Health, Information, Public, Railway, Thanjavur, Transport, exicipition, illegal on March 23rd, 2010
The Red Ribbon Express, underetaking an awareness campaign on AIDS, arrived at the railway junction here yesterday.
The fully air conditioned Red Ribbon Express provides information on bio-medical aspects, educational materials, general health and hygiene.
The programme was also aimed at providing awareness to local body representatives, anganwadi workers and counsellors.
At a brief function, State Cooperation Minister Ko Si Mani inaugurated an exhibition in the train.
The train covered 27,000 km and halted in 180 stations in various states, recording 62 lakh visitors.
In the first phase, 1,22,587 people visited the train in Tamil Nadu alone. Over 3,728 men and 1,296 women received counselling and 570 people got treatment for sexually transmitted infections.
The train has so far covered New Delhi, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Kerala.
After arriving at Nagercoil in Tamil Nadu on March 14, the train covered Virudhunagar, Madurai and Rameswaram in the state, according to official sources.
The train would proceed its journey to Coimbatore, Cuddalore, Kancheepuram and Chennai.
Photo exhibition in humanism week celebrations
Posted by ganesh in Communication, Culture, Entertainment, Information, Thanjavur, exicipition, programme on January 25th, 2010
A photo exhibition in connection with humanism week celebrations was inaugurated on Sunday at Sangeetha Mahal here by Collector M.S.Shanmugham. The exhibition was organised by the Department of Adi Dravida Welfare.
The Collector said that one should show his or her humanism by helping others, particularly when they were in distress.
3 Temples in Thanjavur and Ariyalur districts world heritage monuments by the UNESCO
Posted by ganesh in Ariyalur, Communication, Culture, Departments, Information, Others, Temples, Thanjavur, government, programme on January 21st, 2010
Three temples in Thanjavur and Ariyalur districts, namely the Brihadisvara temple, Iravateswarawamy temple and the Big temple at Gangaikondacholapuram built by the great Chola kings have been declared as world heritage monuments by the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).
The Brihadisvara temple at Thanjavur built by Raja Raja Cholan is celebrating its millenium this year; the Iravateswarawamy temple at Darasuram near Kumbkonam was built by Raja Raja II and the Big temple at Gangaikondacholapuram was built by Rajendran Cholan, son of Raja Raja Cholan in Ariyalur district.
The three temples are in stone and have almost same architecture and design except for the size. While the Big Temple at Thanjavur remains colossal in all its aspects — a towering Vimana with a height of 212 ft, a big Linga in the sanctum sanctorum, a huge Nandi in the front and Goddess Periyanayaki also standing tall, Darasuram and Gangaikondacholapuram account for smaller forms of the Big temple. Despite the general concept of a chariot being pulled, the sculptures differ in the three temples.
The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) maintains the three temples well and has almost reconstructed the whole temple at Darasuram.
The construction of the Big Temple — also known as Rajarajeswaran Udaiyar after the great king — began in 1003A.D. and was consecrated for worship on 275th day of the 25th year of the King’s reign (1010 A.D.). The temple is 1000 years old this year (2010). This edifice is one of the finest and most exquisite specimens of the Chola architecture. Dedicated to Lord Siva, it is located within a spacious inner courtyard measuring 240 X120 m. The temple is replete with inscriptions relating to its origin and endowments and also sports a profusion of friezes from the epics.
People watch rare celestial phenomenon- “Kankana Suryagrahanam”, or ring solar eclipse
Nandhi idol being decorated with fruits, vegetables and sweets to mark the Shankranthi festival at Big Temple in Thanjavur on Friday
People of Thanjavur district, particularly youth and students, witnessed the rarest of the rare celestial phenomenon- “Kankana Suryagrahanam”, or ring solar eclipse, on Friday.
They used special goggles and welder glass number four supplied by Birla Planetarium and Anna University to see the eclipse.
As the eclipse peaked at 1.30 p.m., there was a lot of enthusiasm.
“The sun looked like a crescent moon with the shadow of the moon covering most part of it,” said a student who witnessed the eclipse.
As a ring of fire was formed during the eclipse, it was called “Kankana Suryagrahanam”.
As it was happening after 103 years, it created a lot of curiosity among students. Trained teachers guided the students in viewing the eclipse.
Celebration of Mattu Pongal (Pongal and worship offered to cattle) has to be scheduled either between 6 a.m. and 7 a.m. or after 3 p.m.. Temples remained closed from 10 a.m.to 4 p.m. The sanctum sanctorum of the Big temple here remained closed and the biggest Nandhi at the entrance was covered with screen till the eclipse was over. Pujas started after 4 p.m.
All Saivite and Vaishnavite temples and Navagraha Kshetras in the district remained closed during the eclipse.
IUML will extend its support to DMK candidate in the byelection in Pennagaram
Posted by ganesh in Departments, Politics, Thiruvarur, election, programme on December 28th, 2009
The Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) will extend its support to DMK candidate in the byelection to the Pennagaram Assembly constituency to be held on January 20 next year.
In a statement today, party state president and former MP K M Khader Mohideen said a resolution to this effect was adopted at the party’s state executive held at Ayyampettai near here yesterday.
He claimed that the people of Tiruchendur and Vandavasi Assembly constituencies have shown faith in democracy and exercised their franchise in favour of the ruling DMK in the recent by-elections.
The IUML would work for the victory of DMK candidate in the Pennagaram Assembly segment, he added.
The meeting also thanked AICC president and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for presenting the Justice Ranganath Mishra Commission report in Parliament and appealed to them to implement the recommendations.
The meeting called up on the Muslim scholars to participate in the World Classical Tamil Conference to be held at Coimbatore and establish a link between Tamil and Arabic languages,
3 personalities conferred with doctorate degrees
Posted by ganesh in Award, Departments, Education, Thanjavur, function, government on December 22nd, 2009
Epigraphs play an important role in doing research on our cultural history said R. Chanbakalakshmi, Retired Professor of Jawaharlal Nehru University, here on Monday.
Delivering the convocation address at the Tamil University, Prof. Chanbakalakshmi said that epighraps available in our temples should be looked beyond religion. Temples should be considered as part of the cosmos and subjected to research. In fact, information available in the epigraphs of temples vary in subjects. They contain information about social, economic and technological changes. They also throw light on agriculture, urbanisation etc. From epigraphs one can understand how towns like Thanjavur, Kumbakonam and Kanchipuram emerged as cultural centres.
Epigraphs show the temples as not only religion oriented but also as social and political institutions.
Chanbakalakshmi paid rich tributes to Iravatham Mahadevan, epigraphist who established that epigraphs available in Tamil Nadu are in Tamil language only. He also established that literacy was high in those days.
Iravatham Mahadevan also established that Tamil-Brami epigraphs available in caves belonged to dravidian language. Only a few words were taken from Brahmi script.
Surjit Singh Barnala, Governor of Tamil Nadu, who is the Chancellor of the University, presided over the convocation. He conferred D.Litt (Honoris Causa) degrees on Tamil writer Jayakanthan, Epigraphist Iravatham Mahadevan and Musicologist P. Ramathilagam at the convocation.
K. Ponmudi, State Minister for Higher Education, appealed to those who got Ph.Ds in the convocation to continue their research. While getting employment is important, it is also important that they should continue their research. Tamil University has grown from strength to strength and has carried forward its research activity. It is heartening to note that there are 1,39,781 books and 334 Journals in Tamil University library.
He said that the University should try to create the Tamil feeling in the minds of people. “Reading Tamil and reading in Tamil is one thing but having a Tamil feeling is different. Even Tamil teachers and scholars want their children to read in English and call them Mummy and daddy. This should be changed by Tamil University”, the Minister said.
He reiterated that Tamil will be the medium of instruction and English the link language in Tamil Nadu.
M. Rajendran, Vice-Chancellor of Tamil University said that Tamil University has released 410 research books in the past 28 years. A centre for performing arts is being created in the University. Kanimozhi MP has given Rs. 1 crore for the centre from her Local Area Development fund. The University along with South Zone Cultural Centre is involved in producing 25 Thamizhisai CDs. Out of them thirteen have already been released.
A total of 176 candidates got Ph.Ds, 914 candidates received M.Phil degrees, 528 post-graduate degrees and 101 received degrees at the convocation.
Guru Peyarchi festival moves from Mahara rasi to Kumba rasi.
Special Alangaram made for Guru Bhagwan in Sri Vasishteswaraswamy Temple at Thittai near Thanjavur for “Guru Peyarchi”
Hundreds of people thronged Sri Apathsahayeswaraswamy temple, Navagraha Kshetra for Gurubhagawan, at Alangudi in Tiruvarur district on Tuesday, in view of Guru Peyarchi festival. The transit takes place at 11.59 p.m. (i.e. at mid night) and Guru Bhagawan moves from Mahara rasi to Kumba rasi. Special abishekams and archanas will be performed to Guru Bhagawan at the transit time. People queued up to have darshan of Guru Bhagawan and the crowd is expected to be more by night and when transition takes place.
Special buses were operated by Government Transport Corporation to Alangudi from various places. Protected drinking water supply was ensured by the local body. A medical camp was also put up for helping devotees in case of emergencies.
Thittai
Special abishekam and archanas were also performed at Sri Vasishteswaraswamy temple at Thittai in Thanjavur district where a Gur Bhagawan sannidhi existed inside the temple. Hundreds of people visited the temple and offered worship to Guru Bhagawan. Special arrangements were made by the temple authorities for the benefit of devotees at Thittai. Even here the crowd is expected more during transition time.
Centre to immediately release its share of crop insurance of Rupees 320 crore.
Posted by ganesh in Agriculture, Departments, Public, Thanjavur, function, government, meeting, programme on December 9th, 2009
The Tamil Nadu Vivasayigal Sangam, affiliated to CPI(M), today appealed to the Centre to immediately release its share of crop insurance of Rupees 320 crore.
In a press release here today, Sangam General Secretary K Balakrishnan said a resolution to this effect was adopted at its state council meeting here yesterday.
Stating that the three-day 27th State level conference would be held at Dindigul from December 19, he said the conference would discuss about increasing investment in agriculture and implementation of Dr M S Swaminathan committee recommendations.
Expressing concern over land grabbing which was increasing day by day, he said the conference would also discuss issues, including the support price of Rs 2,000 per tonne for sugarcane, Rs 1,400 per quintal for paddy, milk procurement price of Rs five per litre and Cauvery and Mullaperiyar issues.
A public rally would be held on December 21, he said, adding, Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar would participate in the programme.
Recent Comments