Tamil Nadu - Thanjavur   

Sadhaya Vizha celebrated

Special Correspondent

THANJAVUR: Sadhaya Vizha, the birth anniversary celebration of King Raja Raja Cholan, who built Big Temple here, was celebrated grandly on Thursday.

M. Veera Shanmugha Moni, Collector, and K. Thangamuthu, chairman of the Sadhaya Vizha Committee, garlanded the statue of the king on Thursday morning. Thirumurais were taken on a procession to the temple.

Abishekam was performed using 33 puja articles and 108 `kalasams' to Lord Brihadeeswara in the temple in the presence of Ayyappa Swamigal of Thiruverkadu. Babaji Rajah Bhonsle, senior prince and hereditary trustee of the palace Devasthanam, and S. Ilango, Joint Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments, participated. Aarthi was performed to Lord Brihadeeswara and Goddess Periyanayagi. Hundreds of people witnessed the `abishekam.'

In the evening the idols of Lord Brihadeeswara and Goddess Periyanayagi were taken on a procession. A crown presented by the Kanchi Mutt for the 1,000th year of the coronation of King Raja Raja Cholan was placed on the idol of Raja Rajan, which was taken on a procession. The temple was illuminated for the occasion.

The king's greatness

Raja Raja Cholan ascended the throne in 985 A.D. and ruled till 1014 A.D. He built Big Temple, an architectural marvel in all aspects. The temple has a soaring `vimana' which rises to 212 feet, a big Nandhi, a big Linga and sprawling `praharas.' The king retrieved the Devaram hymns from the Dikshithars of Chidambaram and made them public.

The United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation has declared the temple a world heritage monument.

King Raja Raja Cholan was born during the `sadhaya natchathitram' in the Tamil month of Ippasi.

The Sadhaya Vizha is celebrated every year by a committee by the same name.

K. Thangamuthu, chairman of the committee, said the title "the great" should be attached to the name of Raja Raja Cholan. He should be called Raja Raja Chola the Great, like Asoka the Great and Alexander the Great as the king was a great warrior.

His contribution to art and culture is noteworthy. He remained a secular king helping the construction of the Buddha Viharas.

Sadhaya Vizha should be celebrated as a national festival, Mr. Thangamuthu added.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Sadhaya Vizha celebrated
Damage to property in Thanjavur being assessed

Copyright © 2005, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu