Slokam of the Month The great temple of Tanjore (Tanjavur Periya Koyil) is one of the biggest Dravidian temples in the world. This thousand year old temple has been adjudged as a World Herit
age site by UNESCO. The great Tamil ruler Rajaraja Chola I built this temple in the 11th century. The main diety was originally called Adavallan (expert dancer). He is now known as Lord Brihadishwarar. He is in the form of a 8.7 metre Shivalinga within a two storey sanctum. Another remarkable feature of the temple is the great Nandi. The Nandi is 6 mts long, 2.6 mts broad 3.7 mts high & weighs 27 tons. It is probably the largest of its kind. This temple is one of the tallest in the world and is built in such a way that the vimanam does not cast a shadow at noon during any part of the year.Story of the Month - Somaskandamoorthy
Once upon a time Mahavishnu wanted to have a son who would be extremely charming. He decided to pray to Shiva to get the boon. Lord Shiva appeared before Mahavishnu to give Him the boon. At that moment, Vishnu did not notice Godess Parvati. He had completely ignored Her. Parvati cursed Vishnu that the son he would beget would be burnt to ashes by Lord Shiva. Vishnu was shocked. He again prayed to Shiva this time along with Parvati and Skanda. Pleased by His prayers, Shiva Parvati and Skanda appeared before Vishnu and granted Him the boon. Also that the son who would be burnt would be brought back to life by Shiva himself. By this boon, Mahavishnu became the father of the Lord of Lust - Manmathan. The form worshipped by Mahavishnu came to be known as Somaskanda Moorthy (Saha + Uma+ Skanda Moorthy)
