Once a team of 5-6 scientists from U.S, probably some New York University, visited the temple, and did a lot of research on the shadow of the Vimana, which does not fall on the ground, at any time of the day, in any season. They arrived at the conclusion that it is not based on any mathematical formula, and is a coincidental accident, which cannot be replicated at all, unless such a coincidence occurs again.
This report was published in ‘The Hindu’ newspaper. After four days, mathematicians from Madras University visited Mahaperiyava.
He had the newspaper brought and questioned the mathematicians –
“What they are saying, maybe it is right?”
They replied – “It seems so, because we don’t know otherwise…”
He – “So that is what you say? , and left it at that.”
A few of months went by.
The mathematician was asked to visit Mahaperiyava, Who was now camping at a village, Vellam, in Chengalpet district, near Madras.
Beyond the village, there is a forest, hills, rocks, ruins…. Mahaperiyava would get up everyday and go to the temple ruins there. There’s a huge rock slab in front of the temple, around 6′ by 10′. There is also a pond there. He would pick a neem twig from a tree and sit on the rock and brush his teeth.
When the professor arrived, He had the rock slab overturned, washed well. There were inscriptions on this rock.
It said – ‘Thanjai Periakovil Munnodi!’ (Thanjavur Big Temple precursor or model)
He says – “There is charitram that the person who built the Thanjai kovil belonged to this area Mahabalipuram, Chengalpet. Why shouldn’t it be that his ancestry could be this village?”
“When it says Thanjavur Big Temple model, then it means that the architect tried it here on a smaller scale, and based on this model, he has built it there, isn’t it. Then it also means that, without a mathematical formula he could not have replicated it.”
“So, it is not accidental. Obviously he had some mathematical formula, based on which he built it here and then at Thanjavur. Here he built with a height of couple of feet, and a 4 ft. gopuram.”
Mahaperiyava had it all dug out and washed and shown to them.
Here also, the shadow does not fall on the ground. Then He says, –
“Now you too find the formula, and write to them also, informing them that it is not an accident. Maybe the architect did not inform anybody about the formula. Or maybe we might find another ‘Kalvettu’ (stone inscription) later with it.”
Then the professor says, “Since Periva knows, He himself could maybe inform them”.
To that, He says, ” Is that my job? Am I here to do all this? It is all your job. That is why you are all there. How can I interfere in your job”?
So saying, He sent them on. :)))
*****
What a coincidence that I got a mail recently mentioning REACH Foundation (http://conserveheritage.org/) is starting the Epigraphy (Tamil Kalvettu) classes from 8th Dec 2013 in Madras!
Timings: 8.30 to 10.30 AM
Duration: 12-15 weeks
Fees: Rs.2500/-
Venue: Ramakrishna Higher secondary School, Dandapani Street, Off Burkit Road, T.Nagar.
Contact: Chandrasekar @ 94444 41181
It is not just about reading the inscription, but lot more on heritage and history. The instructor is so very good and the classes will be so absorbing that you may even think of changing your profession!
Those interested in heritage and Tamil inscriptions, please do avail it for it may change your life!
Categories: Devotee Experiences
Sir I am doing a paper presentation on Tanjore big temple relationship with mathematics..
So pls boost me with some of ur ideas…
It would be a Great hepl
It has been proven that the shadow of the Thanjai Temple Gopuram does fall on the ground.
Please see the following links, which show photos of the Gopuram with shadows:
Hindu article:
http://www.hindu.com/lf/2004/03/30/stories/2004033001340200.htm
More photos:
http://poetryinstone.in/lang/en/2008/12/17/does-the-tanjore-big-temple-vimana-cast-a-shadow.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EAQMB1D1n9c
It is possible that the shadow disappears only at noon during any part of the year.
Sir its thrilling to learn that sri periyava is all pervasive and this incidence just one to remind us
True that Dr.Sathyamurthys team REACH is conducting classes they train the student most ly IT sector young who is verymuch interested lead by their guide @ chrompet former Archological dept I took them to Sriperumbadur temple & Pennalur temple they read the epigraphy tech & told me the history of pennalur temple dt belongs to 1050 years,built by chola kings near the war field of Irungadu(today irrungatukotai sipcot Industrial area & Hundai factory etc situated)Navally a near by village was given to the Brahmins of this temple to take care of their cattle etc, and the land documents of Pennallur temple too which is now swallowed be politicians, the name of the shiva was Agasteswara Mahadevar, the temple work up by 1st kulothungan & 2nd Rajendra chola etc.In Vallam temple near chengalpatt there is big Nandhi turned opp side of shiva linga but of made out of mortar.There is lot to know about our heritage.I too heard the Tanjore temple sthapathys village was here etc but was not known about the stone carved epigraphy mentioned by Maha peeriyava he is a genious saint of our days.
This was narrated by Thiruvannamalai Sri Gowrishankar
http://mahaperiyavaa.wordpress.com/2012/03/03/thiruvannamalai-sri-gowrishankars-interview-must-watch/
Hey this article was infact said in an video interview “Experience with Mahaperiyavaa” by someone. I don’t remember their name 🙁
In today’s Bangalore edition of “The Hindu” (5th Dec. 2013) there is a mention by a professor of ancient history and archaeology of Karnataka University at Dharwad, about how ancient rock art is being neglected and vandalized. There is even a contract with a Japanese Co. to mine and export stone from the Ilkal area which is a treasure house of pre-historic cave and rock art.
A few weeks ago, there was a report out from the CAG on how lax the Archaeological Dept. of India is,and how it has allowed many monuments under its command and care, to be destroyed. One palaeolithic dolmen site near Bangalore, on the way to the airport was allowed to be demolished and swalloed up by some developer.
I think it is time for the children of this country to go to war against their adults for aggression, illegal and immoral use, robbery and destruction of what is the rightful heritage of the future generations.
Maha Periyava guides and makes things known and encourages one to continue the work. Jaya Jaya Shankara, Hara Hara Shankara!
It is highly thrilling to know this from our Periyawal.
Regards
G.SRINIVASAN CHIDAMBARAM
The classes you mentioned by REACH foundation are the brain child of Dr.T.Sathiyamoorthy, former director of Archaeological survey of India. He is an eminent person well versed on our history and an ardent devotee of MahaPeriyavaa. Hope you remember an article some time back in our blog about timing of Madhyanniham and clock inscripted in a sculpture at Mahabalipuram during Pallava period – the incident was narrated by Dr.T.Sathiyamooerthy as indicated to him by MahaPeriyavaa.
Thank you.
Though I have heard about this incident, it bears repetition. The problem is that the newspaper carried the ‘negative’ article (that this is not based on any mathematical formula). But did the newspaper publish the correction? Not likely. If they have published the correction, my apologies. Further, it is not just based on a formula (as always Sri Periyava will only suggest something, never assert) but there was a prototype that was made before the actual work began. If this is not scientific, what is?