The recent headlines for renovation of the moat around the Big temple in tanjore,
ASI submits Rs.1-crore proposal to renovate moat around Big Temple , took me back some years ago – when i had chanced on a very interesting antique photograph from the archives of the British Library.
The archives are a real treasure trove for enthusiasts. Since we are talking of the Moat around the temple complex, take a look at these rare captures in the late 1800’s and the early 1900’s ( photo courtesy – British Library Archives). Shows the moat still filled with water but the whole structure is in a bit of a mess.
But are we just going to see some antique photos today. No, of course there has to be some twist. the twist is this capture.
Dated to the year 1921, to be precise this is the description of the plate
Sawyer, Wilbur A. [Wall, moat, and outer gate tower of the Hindu temple at Thanjavur]. Photographic Print. 1 Image. [2 April 1921].
Look carefully, do you notice something.
There is a very very unusual object on the wall.
What is it, and where is it now !
Thanks to Rhoda for spotting one more ( adding now)
இப்படியெல்லாம் கூர்மையாகப் பார்த்தால் எப்படி விஜய்! ஆனாலும் சிலை என வரும்போது அது பாதுகாக்கவேண்டியதே.. அது எங்கிருந்தாலும்..
தஞ்சை சரித்திர ஆர்வலர்களை, அறிஞர்களைக் கேட்கவேண்டும்.. அல்லது மியூசியத்தில் எடுத்து வைத்துள்ளார்களா (சுவரோடு என்பதால் சந்தேகமே)..
திவாகர்
Answer : a Saiva Devi w damaru – Ishvari, perhaps?
தேட வேண்டிய ஒன்று, எத்தனையோ முறை சென்றிருக்கிறேன் ஆனால் இந்த சிற்பம் கண்ணில் படவில்லை, மறுமுறை செல்லும் பொழுது தேடிப் பார்க்கிறேன்.
இறைவன் தங்களுக்கு கூர்மையான பார்வையை கொடுத்து அதன் மூலம் மற்றவர்களுக்கு பல விஷயங்களை உணர்த்த நினைக்கிறார் போலும்!
Dear VJ. The sculpture onthe wall of moat is a guide mark to the underground path and a godown of weapons was underground. This was assumed from ‘sirpakalai nunukkangal’ by ‘koil sithar’ of Thirunageswaram and I have read it many years ago. The renovation may bring it to light. Let us wait and see.
hi vj,
i am totally unequipped to find answers for this one…nevertheless i can add to the mystery. While looking carefully at the photo..i think i definitely spotted one more!!
click on link to view it marked by a rectangle
http://i83.servimg.com/u/f83/13/03/66/32/one-mo11.jpg
Wow! This is such fun! What great spotting.
Another female, with pot?
Yes Kathie!! it is such fun indeed… but i would want to believe that it is the bosom in profile!
VJ…it may be way of the mark but just want to try..a fort surrounded by water is called jala durga – can it have anything to do with that ??!!
Well.
I’m not that gladdened at the news.
“SingaLathIvinukkkOr pAlamaippOm ….” EngE?
“rama sEthu demolition IngE …” pAtavA?
Money in plenty in such ‘civil projects’. @@@@@@ ‘did all’ and @@@@@@r ‘got all’ …
Myself an ordinary Thamizan planning for one or two books on our rich Thamiz heritage.
Sorry for the comments
Regards
—
SHS
===
Could you kindly reply …? …
wow, Rhoda – wonderful spotting. Its a really amazing sculpture more beautiful in side profile. The proportions are truly wonderful. A reader has written to me saying these still exist and he would try to get some closeups shortly. Lets hope they are there.
Dear SHS sir,
Understand you feelings, but as a site we talk of constructive things but dont want to personally criticise anyone – so have taken the liberty of editing your comment. Its not out of fear, but more inline with our policy of not offending anyone.
Please do elaborate more on what you say by Planning for a few books on rich tamil heritage.
rgds
vj
rgds
vj
I stand corrected. & now can see, Rhoda, that it’s a breast.
WoW! that’s an interesting post now!
Keep posting more such articles.. 🙂
மீண்டும் ஒரு விடுகதையைப் பிடித்திருக்கிறீர்கள் … ஆனால் விடை ?
“இது என்ன சிற்பம்? அது இப்போது எங்கே போனது? யாரிடம் கேட்பது.. யார் பதில் சொல்வார்கள்? ”
அந்த சிலையை யார் குப்புறப் போட்டு துணி துவைக்கிறார்களோ அவர்களுக்கே வெளிச்சம். நம்ம ஊரில் கல் – சிலை-ன்னா என்ன சாமின்னா என்ன. நமக்கு எப்படி பயன்படும் என்று தான் பார்ப்பார்கள். நீங்க போயி photo-வுல இருக்கிற செலயத் தேடிக்கிட்டு .. ..
விடுங்க பாஸ் … இதெல்லாம் நமக்குப் பழக்கமானது தானே, இதுக்குப் போயி பொலம்பலாமா ?
இதுக்குப் போயி பொலம்பலாமா ?” My dear friend, if we don’t voice our concerns even now – at the blatant rape of our cultural assets and assault of our heritage – we are not fit to be sons of this soil
vj
Great find, Vj. Amazing pictures!
>>f we don’t voice our concerns even now – at the blatant rape of our cultural assets and assault of our heritage – we are not fit to be sons of this soil <<
Could not agree more.
This feels like a chapter in a Dan Brown thriller. Enough with the mysteriousness, tell us what the answer is!!
I have found one of the wall paintings which you have depicted that Raja Raha Chola is smithing enemy . Bur the same picture Ihave seen in the egyption vision CD which was brought by my friend from Egypt. The period is AD3 during the period of king Ramsey I
Dear Mr Balasurbamanian
Can you be a bit more clearer in your question please
rgds
vj