Why Tanjore's Brihadeeswara Temple was Snubbed from the 7 Wonders of the World List? “The Untold Story”:

The Cultural Divide: How Cultural Differences Impacted the Selection Process

         The Cultural Divide played a significant role in the selection process of the Seven Wonders of the World, and it impacted the nomination of many remarkable monuments, including Tanjore's Brihadeeswara Temple. The Western perspective on beauty and architecture was different from that of Eastern cultures, and the criteria for selecting wonders favored the Western perspective.

        The Seven Wonders of the World were primarily selected by Western explorers, historians, and travelers who were more familiar with Western architectural styles and lacked knowledge of Eastern architecture. As a result, many iconic monuments from non-Western regions were overlooked or undervalued in the selection process. Tanjore's Brihadeeswara Temple, despite being a marvel of Dravidian architecture, did not fit the Western criteria for a wonder. The selection process highlighted the need for a more inclusive and diverse approach to acknowledge the wonders of the world, irrespective of cultural differences.

The Unseen Marvel: The Lack of Awareness about Tanjore's Big Temple

        The Brihadeeswara Temple in Tanjore, also known as the Big Temple, is a masterpiece of Dravidian architecture and a remarkable feat of engineering. However, it remained relatively unknown to the rest of the world until recent years. The lack of awareness about the temple and its significance was due to various reasons. Firstly, the temple is located in a remote area in South India, far away from the popular tourist circuits.

        Secondly, the temple was not adequately promoted by the Indian tourism authorities, and the lack of proper infrastructure and accessibility made it difficult for visitors to reach the temple. Thirdly, the temple's historical and cultural significance was not well documented, which further reduced its visibility. As a result, the Brihadeeswara Temple in Tanjore remained an unseen marvel for a long time and did not receive the recognition it deserved. However, with the increased interest in heritage and culture, the temple is gradually gaining more attention and appreciation from visitors and scholars around the world.

The Complex Selection Criteria: How Tanjore's Brihadeeswara Temple Failed to Meet the Seven Wonders Standards

             The selection process for the Seven Wonders of the World was complex, and the selection criteria were challenging to meet. Tanjore's Brihadeeswara Temple, despite being a remarkable feat of engineering and architecture, failed to meet the Seven Wonders standards. The selection criteria included the monument's cultural and historical significance, architectural style, size, and age, among other factors. While Tanjore's Big Temple met many of these criteria, it did not fulfill others, such as the requirement for the monument to have worldwide fame and recognition.

           The temple was relatively unknown to the rest of the world until recent years, and it lacked the global recognition that other wonders had. Additionally, the Seven Wonders of the World selection process was subjective, and the personal preferences of the selectors influenced the outcome. In summary, while Tanjore's Brihadeeswara Temple was undoubtedly a marvel of architecture, it did not meet the complex selection criteria of the Seven Wonders of the World.

The Influence of Politics: How Politics Affected the Selection of the Seven Wonders

            Politics had a considerable influence on the selection of the Seven Wonders of the World. The selection process was often influenced by political factors such as power, prestige, and national identity. The selectors were often influenced by their personal biases and the interests of their respective countries. For example, some countries lobbied for their monuments to be included, while others opposed certain nominations due to political tensions or conflicts.

           Additionally, the selection process was often subject to the influence of colonialism, where Western powers had a more significant say in the selection process, leading to the exclusion of many non-Western monuments. The politics of the selection process also impacted the way the wonders were presented and promoted to the public, with some monuments receiving more attention and recognition than others. As a result, the influence of politics had a significant impact on the selection of the Seven Wonders of the World, with some monuments being excluded due to political reasons rather than their actual merit.

The Subjective Nature of Beauty: How Personal Preferences Shaped the Selection Process

          The selection of the Seven Wonders of the World was a subjective process, and personal preferences played a significant role in the selection process. The concept of beauty is subjective, and what may be considered beautiful to one person may not be the same for another. The selectors' personal preferences and biases influenced the final selection, resulting in some monuments being included while others were left out. The selection process was also subject to cultural biases, where monuments from Western cultures were often favored over those from non-Western cultures.

         Moreover, some selectors were more familiar with certain architectural styles and periods, which influenced their preferences. For example, a selector who preferred classical Greek architecture may not have appreciated the intricate details and carvings of Indian temples. In summary, the subjective nature of beauty and personal preferences played a significant role in the selection of the Seven Wonders of the World, and it is important to acknowledge that the selection was not entirely based on objective criteria.

 

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