Tanjavur

 Masterpiece of ancient engineering

Built over 1,000 years ago by Raja Raja Chola without cranes, trucks, or modern machines, the Tanjore Big Temple is a staggering architectural feat. The massive stone linga (~250 tonnes) is believed to have been transported from Saurashtra, Gujarat, all the way across Vindhyachal—entirely by human effort.  

Consecration that didn’t complete

Despite 42 years of construction and immense effort, the sacred linga could not be properly consecrated—the “heart” of the temple failed to come alive energetically. A local belief even holds that visiting the temple may bring misfortune due to this unfinished energy core.  

Gangaikonda Cholapuram: the son’s remedy

Distressed by his father’s unfinished masterpiece and unwilling to let the work remain incomplete, Raja Raja’s son built a second temple at Gangaikonda Cholapuram—architecturally similar but smaller, and functional in terms of spiritual consecration.  

A universal metaphor

It draws an analogy between the outer grandeur of the Tanjore temple and the inner emptiness of modern individuals—beautiful exteriors without inner substance. The complementary temple at Cholapuram represents inner depth triumphing over mere appearance.  

A call to inner greatness

In today’s era, he emphasizes, humanity has external capabilities like never before—but we risk becoming “temples with grand exteriors and empty interiors.” He urges us to turn our focus inward and embark on "mega‑scale projects" of spiritual growth and inner transformation

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-2sD4lCZdV-SA2xzpBBP7h2btZ8C8ziy/view?usp=drivesdk