Temple Entrances
Standing outside the Eastern side of the temple walls observe the three main gateways (Tiruvasal) with their towers (Gopuram) that are used to enter the temple complex. In South Indian temples, the gateway Gopuras are typically taller than the main temple tower (Vimana), but in the Brihadishwara temple, it is the other way around. Rajaraja wanted the main Vimana to stand tall as a tribute to Lord Shiva.
While these three gateways form the main entrance to the temple, there are 4 additional entrances through the inner and outer walls that were used by the townspeople, artists and dancers who approached the temple from different parts of the town.
There were also over a hundred underground tunnels connecting the Thanjavur palace to the temple and other parts of the city. The royal families used the tunnels to access the temple for daily worship but used the main entrances during ceremonial processions. It is speculated that some of the tunnels were intended to help the royal family flee from enemies and others led to unknown places or dead ends to confuse invaders. Due to safety concerns, all these underground tunnels have now been permanently sealed.
Maratha Entrance (Map: 1)
The outermost entrance to the temple, the Maratha entrance, was built by Maratha king Serfoji II in the year 1801 CE. This 18-foot-tall arch built of strong red stone has stairs on both sides that connect it to the temple fortification walls. At top of the arch, you can see limestone images of Shiva and Parvathi.
Keralanthaka Tiruvasal (Map: 2)
Around 988 CE, Rajaraja fought the Cheras in an epic land and sea battle at the southeastern towns of Kanthaloor and Kollam and brought the entire Kerala region under his rule. He spent all the wealth acquired in this victory on the Brihadishwara temple and named this beautiful second entrance gate Keralanthaka Tiruvasal to commemorate his victory. This 18-foot-wide, 36-foot-tall entrance served as the Rajagopuram (royal gateway) to the temple.
Looking up at the gateway from the front (eastern side), some of the prominent sculptures you see on the first level are the Natanakali (dancing Kali) on the left and Urdhva Thandavamsivan (dancing Shiva) on the right. There are also many fine examples of Dwarapalakas (celestial door keepers) and Koorai Thangiyar (ceiling bearers) on the different levels of this gate. The base of the gateway contains a large number of inscriptions.
Inscriptions: There are hundreds of inscriptions carved into the stones of the entrance gateways, the base of the main shrine and other areas of the temple. These inscriptions are in an ancient Tamil script and in Grantha (an ancient Brahmic script from South India, predominantly used in Tamil Nadu and Kerala to write Sanskrit) and recount battles and victories, as well as writings from other parts of Chola life, land ownership and administrative matters. Some inscriptions serve as a record of temple workers, including builders, priests, sculptors, painters, musicians and dancers. Temple officials and workers were paid in land grants that were also recorded as part of the inscriptions.
Walk into the gateway and observe the 4-foot x 3-foot x 36-foot finely buffed, single stone, side supports that support the five level Gopuram with its intricate sculptures.
On the western (back) side of the entrance, on the first level you see Krishna playing with Gopikas (cowherds) under a tree on the left-hand side and Narasimha (avatar of Lord Vishnu) killing Hiranyan on the right side of the second level. Other sculptures show Brahma and Vishnu and their consorts in various seated and standing positions.
Rajaraja Tiruvasal (Map: 3)
The third gateway, the Rajaraja Tiruvasal consists of a three-tiered structure that sits atop a 7-foot plinth and 20-foot base. It is connected on both sides to the Thiruchutru Maligai (inner surrounding corridor).
The imposing 18-foot Dwarapalakas (door guards) on both sides of the Rajaraja Tiruvasal are wonderful specimens of Chola architecture! One of them is pressing his foot down on a python which is swallowing an elephant, to show the fierce might of these door guards!
On the east side of the entrance, on the first level, from left to right, you see a seated Parvati, Vallabha Ganapathi with ten arms, Rishabha Vahanar seated on a bull, Indra riding an elephant, Agni, and Murugan seated on a peacock, along with the ceiling bearers. On the second level there are several Chandrasekaramurthis (forms of Shiva) and beautiful round decorative structure in the Buddhist decorative style atop the windows. On the third level Uma Maheswari is depicted seated on Shiva’s lap in the Center round structure