Thanjavur, India, 1971

 

Brihadisvara Temple, Thanjavur

In 1971, on our way to England from Australia in the Land Rover, we sailed from Penang, Malaysia to Madras (now called Chennai) in the good ship SS Rajula, then headed south to visit some ancient temples. This one is over a 1000 years old! It was built between 1003 and 1010 AD. The size of it, and all the amazing detailed carvings are incredible.  

There is a chained, decorated temple elephant in the colonnade, and folk go across to give it treats. 

Like this young lad!

The main entrance to the temple complex takes you through several buildings. 

We (my Aussie pal, Mitch and I) stayed at a tourist hostel in the city, and were in a room on the first floor, with a big verandah all round, giving us great views. Thanjavur is also a major Indian railway junction, and we had a brilliant birds-eye view of the station, with the temple in the distance. 

There were many old steam trains in India back then. Maybe there still are? 

We also had a rare birds-eye view of our Land Rover! 

And a great view of all the goings-on in the streets below.