#EngineersDay: Brihadisvara Mandir, one of the greatest ancient engineering marvels; 12 Facts

In India, most people think that engineering is a very new technique that has come to India from the west. But when one visit temple, palaces, and forts built in ancient India don't you think one must really question how these places have stood intact for so many hundred years now and how they were built it? These places give us an insight into the knowledge and techniques that India possessed in building designs and construction.

On the occasion of Engineers Day, let us dig into one of the greatest ancient engineering marvels built by Hindu King RajaRaja Chola - Brihadisvara Mandir, the first all-granite temple in the world.

1.Brihadisvara Mandir is built of interlocking stones without any binding material. This interlocking method means that no cement, plaster, or adhesive was used between the stones.

2.Brihadisvara Mandir has survived 1,000 years and 6 earthquakes

3.The highly developed, flawless and perfect Brihadisvara Mandir is the Vedic building technology used by King RajaRaja Chola

4.Brihadisvara Mandir's tower at 216 feet was likely the tallest in the world at the time and no 200-feet structure in this world is built without binding materials, cements, or blocks.

The Brihadisvara Mandir which is way older has zero degree inclination.

There is also a huge Nandi right in front of the Brihadisvara Mandir - which is carved out of only one piece of stone.

7.1.3 lakh ton of granite was used to build the Brihadisvara Mandir which was transported by 3,000 elephants from 60 kms away.

The Brihadisvara Mandir was constructed without digging the earth

9.The Kumbham at the top of the Brihadisvara Mandir tower weighs 81 tons and is carved from a single piece of granite

10.

Brihadisvara Mandir took only 7 years to complete.

11.

Over 100 passageways exist underground, which lead to the Palace of Raja and other places throughout the city.

12.Hindu Marathas protected Brihadisvara Mandir from Mughal invasion, gave it the name Brihadeeshwara or the Great Ishwara.

No world wonder ever comes close to the level of engineering used to construct the Brihadisvara Mandir. There is nothing quite like it and there will never be something quite like it. We must treasure this timeless marvel. However, there are many such wonders built by our Hindu Kings and some were destroyed by the Mughals.