Thanks to dear Saurab - purchased a copy of the Book from the Publisher Aryan Book International - New Delhi - with a discount too !
A very rare Book and easily rated THE BEST among all the books published re the Brahadeswara Temple.
DR. RN opens re Thanjai BRAHADEESWARAR MAHATHMIYAM - in Sanskrit and Marathi - published in the 19th Century editions and out lines the twists highlighted there in to the Historical facts now known very clearly ::
(thanks to the British and Indian archaelogists / Historians ).
In the Thanjai BRAHADEESWARAR MAHATHMIYAM -
it is mentioned that Karikal cholan constructed the temple. ( 1 or 2nd AD)!! He was advised to do so to over come black leperosy by his Guru Haradutta! the Bana linga was brought from narmadha. Then it was kept in Thanjapuri temple. where it became Swayambu and grew larger !! hundred thousand priests from Thiruvarur consecrated the temple!!
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Unquote::
These misinformations have obviously found place in some UNESCO / World Heritage related Web-sites too and as our dear Moderator Dr. Sridhar - UK - has been repeatedly mentioning, it is time these factors are eradicated - quoting Dr. RN.
Request members to look for such misinformations and mail so that we can collectively draft details and bring to the attention of those concerned to eradicate such misinformations.
I also recall having read that Karikalan constructed the temple in the Peruvudayar Ula by the Kottayur Sivakkozhundhu Desikar (ref our Archieves for earlier discussions for more details).
I visited last year, Perur,near coimbatore my native place, to see again the enthralling temple of Pattishvarar.The cupola ( Gopuram ) and the narthana murthies in thnthe mantapam delong to the period of Nayaka regime.
But the Moolavar, and garbagraha were installed and erected by KarikalvaLavan of Sangam Period. The temple was under renovation on a grand scale by Chief Medical professional at CBE.
Nice to know that you are from CBT and glad to know of these details.
In Thiruvaiyaru temple also there is mention of Karikalan.
And we have read that Kochenganan (red-eyed King) constructed about 80 temples on the banks of Cauvery from SDahayadri to Puhar..
There is also differing views that these are Siva temples and Not all of them at least.
But AUTHENTICALLY no Sangam period temple has been found in existence.
During Tsunami (2004) Dr. Sathiyamurthy found the remains of a temple near PULIKKUGAI ( Tiger Cave) - which is built over bricks which are identified as belonging to Sangam period.
The deity Muruga was also linked to the temple and there were differing views.
Any how it is always more interesting to know when the origin of the temple is traced back more and more !!