What form of Shiva is most prominent in the Brihadeshvara Temple built by the Chola dynasty?
Harihara
Bhairava
Rudra
Tripurantaka
Answer is Right!
Answer is Wrong!
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CDS-2 – 2016
– The central deity is a colossal Shiva Lingam, known as Peruvudaiyar or Rajarajeshwaram Udaiyar.
– While the Lingam is the primary object of worship, the question asks about the ‘form’ of Shiva. Rudra is an ancient Vedic deity associated with Shiva, representing powerful and sometimes fierce aspects, fitting the grandeur of the temple’s main deity.
– Other options like Harihara (syncretic Vishnu-Shiva), Bhairava (fierce manifestation), and Tripurantaka (destroyer of three cities) represent specific iconographic forms or aspects, whereas Rudra can refer to the fundamental, powerful nature of Shiva as the supreme being worshipped in the main shrine.