Pinaki Sarkar  

Statue of Nandi at Brihadeeswara temple, Tanjore by Pinaki Sarkar

September 2022 - Statue of Nandi at Brihadeeswara temple, Tanjore

About the Image(s)

Technical:
f/4.5, 1/200, ISO-2800, 48mm.SPOT Metering, Processed through LightRoom

Background:
It is the huge statue of Nandi (the holy bull vehicle of Lord Shiva) at Brihadeeswara temple, Tanjore. With a length of 6 and height of 3.7 meters, this giant statue is the second largest one of the whole country. The statue is carved out of a single stone.

Brihadeeswara temple is the finest temple belonging to the Chola architectural legacy. Made of granite, this temple is located at Tanjore in Tamil Nadu. The Vimana or tower of the temple, which is approximately 70 meters, is the highest of the sort in the world. The design of this temple is so special that the monolithic tower never casts a shadow at noon at any period of the year.

The temple is dedicated to lord Shiva and there is a gigantic Mahalingam (the symbolic image of Lord Shiva). The huge Nandi image here is the second largest one of the whole country. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site giving expressions to “Great Living Chola Temples”.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brihadisvara_Temple,_Thanjavur

This round’s discussion is now closed!
6 comments posted

Margaret Sprott   Margaret Sprott
I certainly learned a lot from your explanation about this
statue and think it is well-done. I don't understand that white cloth over the back of the head. The only thing I might have tried is to tone down that light part in the lower right corner. However, just the fact that you were able to do this is amazing and I wonder if there is any part of India you have not visited.   Posted: 09/09/2022 11:35:58
Pinaki Sarkar   Pinaki Sarkar
Thank You. I have not covered all...lots more to cover ...I may or be able to do it in a lifetime ...   Posted: 09/11/2022 20:35:36
Phyllis Peterson   Phyllis Peterson
Good job getting the whole of the huge statue of Nandi in your photograph. I also like the detail on the ceiling above. It would have been interesting to have a person in the photo to give the viewer an idea of how big the statue actually is.   Posted: 09/11/2022 19:07:47
Pinaki Sarkar   Pinaki Sarkar
Yes. Agreed. Presence of a local person makes a travel photo unique.In this case it could have also given the scale.   Posted: 09/11/2022 20:38:39
David Stout   David Stout
(Group 3)
You have done well to show good detail in both the statue and the canopy, you did well to compose this image and keep the bright daylight to a minimum.   Posted: 09/22/2022 16:00:09
Carolyn Todd-Larson   Carolyn Todd-Larson
A very unique statue that you captured well. Thanks for telling us the background story. As for the suggestion of adding a person to add scale, an interesting idea but it would have to be a very different composition I suspect. I like that you filled the frame with his head and chest.   Posted: 09/22/2022 22:41:02