#chola temple

[dangerouspeanuttidalwave]

SOUTH INDIAN TEMPLES--GOPURAM BLOG

Ancient and early medieval temples feature smaller gopuram, while in later temples they are a prominent feature of Hindu Dravidian style; in many cases the temple compound was expanded and new larger gopuram built along the new boundary. They are topped by the kalasam, a bulbous stone finial. They function as gateways through the walls that surround the temple complex. Another towering structure located towards the center of the temple is the Vimanam. Both of them are designed and constructed as per rules given in the texts of Vaastu shastra.

The gopuram's origins can be traced back to early structures of the Pallava kings, and relate to the central shikhara towers of North India. Between the twelfth and sixteenth century, during the Pandya, Nayaka and Vijayanagara era when Hindu temples increasingly became a hub of the urban life, these gateways became a dominant feature of a temple's outer appearance, eventually overshadowing the inner sanctuary which became obscured from view by the gopuram's colossal size and courtyards.[5] It also dominated the inner sanctum in amount of ornamentation. Often a shrine has more than one gopuram.[1] They also appear in architecture outside India, especially Khmer architecture, as at Angkor Wat.

Here are some of my pictures i had clicked and these structures were built far before..in BC period.

#hindu culture #1950s #nostalgia #indian temples #india news #indian cinema #chola #tamil #tamilnadu #history #indian history #gopuram #manuscript #andhra pradesh #karnataka #chennai #tanjavur #indian culture #ponniyin selvan #ponni nadhi #ponniyin selvan 1 #mani ratnam #indianfashion

[suvarnarekha]

them : she must be thinking about her crush

me *wondering* : how did the cholas place the huge granite capstone on the top of brihadeshwara temple which is 216 foot tall?

#cholas #rajaraja chola #brihadeshwara #brihadeshwara temple #india #bharat #indian architecture #yedipanti

[dr-scribbler]

Tamil architecture

Trying to create the architectural style of my ancestors gives immense pleasure and pride. When I first got introduced to AI art I was beyond fascinated and wanted to learn. As already I am in to traditional and digital art trying this doesn’t takes time. Playing with the code and improving at each time makes me go crazy happy as I know that I will love the final look of it.

Below two are the ones I literally fell in love there are some other to which I did along with them but they doesn’t feel completed to be shared with yet.

let me know you thoughts on them.

#ai #artificial intelligence #artists on tumblr #tamil #temple #tamil-architecture #chola #pandiya #siva #traditional art #aiart #aiartsociety #share

[shikhersimagery]

Inner peace by Shikher's Imagery Via Flickr: There are two places to find inner tranquility and peace: in the lap of nature and in the lap of the one who created nature.

#Brihadisvara Temple #Peruvudaiyar Kovil #UNESCO World Heritage Site #Thanjavur #Tamil Nadu #temple #Shiva #Chola #Rajaraja Chola I #Kunjaramallan Raja Raja Perunthachan #flickr

[shikhers]

Inner peace by Shikher's Imagery Via Flickr: There are two places to find inner tranquility and peace: in the lap of nature and in the lap of the one who created nature.

#Brihadisvara Temple #Peruvudaiyar Kovil #UNESCO World Heritage Site #Thanjavur #Tamil Nadu #temple #Shiva #Chola #Rajaraja Chola I #Kunjaramallan Raja Raja Perunthachan #flickr

[hariratan]

#temple #southindia #chola #kumbakonam #architecture #cholaarchitecture #dravidian #culture #civilization #history #heritage #hinduism #hindu #ancient #trending #photoofday #wonder #figure #templechariot #colourful (at Kumbakonam) https://www.instagram.com/p/CkUU5FZyfc8/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

#temple #southindia #chola #kumbakonam #architecture #cholaarchitecture #dravidian #culture #civilization #history #heritage #hinduism #hindu #ancient #trending #photoofday #wonder #figure #templechariot #colourful

[dejahisashmom]

India’s Mysterious Brihadeeswarar Temple Doesn’t Cast a Shadow | Ancient Origins

https://www.ancient-origins.net/weird-facts/brihadeeswarar-temple-shadow-0019766

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#1010 #Brihadeeswarar Temple #Chola Dynasty #Granite #Hindu #India #King Raja Raja Chola I #Tamil Nadu #The Big Temple #Vimanas

[divinemedias]

#youtube #social media #travel #vacation #wonderful places #tamilnadu #temples #temple #historical #history #ancientmonuments #ancient history #ancient #tamilnet #tamil news #hindus #hindustan #hindu mythology #hinduism #chola #kumbakonam #tanjore #viral news #video viral #viral video #travel vlog #vlogger #vlog #histoire #information

[typesoftravelinindia]

UNESCO World Heritage Gangaikonda CholaPuram temple built by Choladynasty

UNESCO world heritage GangaikondaCholaPuram temple is a group of ancient Hindu temples in Gangaikonda Cholapuram, Ariyalur district, in Tamil Nadu, India. Ariyalur district, close to Jayankondam. In 1025, Chola emperor Rajendra I made it the capital of the Chola dynasty, and it held that position for roughly 250 years.

The Gangaikondacholisvarar temple in Gangaikondacholapuram is what makes Ariyalur famous.

Location:    Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu

Built by:    Rajendra Chola

Made in:   11th century

https://googleads.g.doubleclick.net/pagead/ads?client=ca-pub-4442598159180864&output=html&h=280&slotname=8107072185&adk=1918225663&adf=1927411510&pi=t.ma~as.8107072185&w=795&fwrn=4&fwrnh=100&lmt=1679148621&rafmt=1&format=795x280&url=https%3A%2F%2Fradhadigi.com%2Funesco-world-heritage-gangaikondacholapuram-temple-built-by-choladynasty%2F&host=ca-host-pub-2644536267352236&fwr=0&fwrattr=true&rpe=1&resp_fmts=3&wgl=1&uach=WyJXaW5kb3dzIiwiMTAuMC4wIiwieDg2IiwiIiwiMTExLjAuMTY2MS40MSIsW10sZmFsc2UsbnVsbCwiNjQiLFtbIk1pY3Jvc29mdCBFZGdlIiwiMTExLjAuMTY2MS40MSJdLFsiTm90KEE6QnJhbmQiLCI4LjAuMC4wIl0sWyJDaHJvbWl1bSIsIjExMS4wLjU1NjMuNjQiXV0sZmFsc2Vd&dt=1679148620436&bpp=2&bdt=829&idt=817&shv=r20230315&mjsv=m202303140101&ptt=9&saldr=aa&abxe=1&cookie=ID%3Dacdc0bcb98f47255-224b08f938d9004f%3AT%3D1673275956%3ART%3D1673275956%3AS%3DALNI_MaGo_FcHBcDF78e7OxE0_s90iwwHA&gpic=UID%3D00000ba0f5614dae%3AT%3D1673275956%3ART%3D1679148389%3AS%3DALNI_MYC3BYp9NXdrZSiKG41ShvjGmB7mQ&prev_fmts=0x0%2C795x280&nras=1&correlator=2446421368351&frm=20&pv=1&ga_vid=973158984.1663918981&ga_sid=1679148621&ga_hid=357485412&ga_fc=1&u_tz=330&u_his=16&u_h=768&u_w=1366&u_ah=728&u_aw=1366&u_cd=24&u_sd=0.9&dmc=8&adx=209&ady=1567&biw=1498&bih=694&scr_x=0&scr_y=0&eid=44759842%2C31072664%2C31072662%2C44777876%2C44759875%2C44759926%2C31071755%2C31073058%2C31073103%2C31073105%2C31073107&oid=2&pvsid=2823020717972148&tmod=1985999851&wsm=1&uas=0&nvt=1&ref=https%3A%2F%2Fradhadigi.com%2Fblog%2F&fc=1920&brdim=0%2C0%2C0%2C0%2C1366%2C0%2C1366%2C728%2C1517%2C694&vis=1&rsz=%7C%7CEebr%7C&abl=CS&pfx=0&fu=128&bc=31&ifi=3&uci=a!3&btvi=1&fsb=1&xpc=UjU2D4FgJn&p=https%3A//radhadigi.com&dtd=824 Dedicated to:   Lord Shiva

Significance:   Biggest Shivalingam in South India

The large temple is located next to Tanjore’s well-known Brihadisvara temple. The Brihadisvara Temple in Gangaikonda Cholapuram is thought to be a replica of the original, which was constructed by Rajaraja Chola, Rajendra Chola’s father.

#rajaraja cholas #chola dynasty #gangaikonda cholapuram #tamilnadu temples #hindu temples #old temples #temples in India #shiva temples

[ramanan50]

Thanjavur Brahadeeswara Temple Superintendent Muslim?

Surprising isn't it,there is no word about Islam while Religions are mentioned. No wonder we have people in Tamil Nadu who raised a query whether Rajaraja Chola was a Hindu, despite his having built the Thanjavur Brahadeeswara Temple. At this rate ,Benar

In Tamil Nadu, Self styled Tamil Scholars and historians seem to have OCD Syndrome. The whole purpose of their existence is to predate Christianity and Islam to even sangam period. We have jokers who, without laughing and without blinking declare that Thiruvalluvar wrote Thirukkural at the instance of St. Thomas .Another obsession is to deny the intricate relationship between Tamil , Sanskrit and…

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#இராஜ ராஜ சோழர் காலத்தில் இஸ்லாம் #இராஜராஜ சோழன் நிர்வாகம் #திருமந்திர ஓலை நாயகம் தஞ்சாவூர் கோயில் #Rajaraja Chola #Rajaraja chola Islam #thanjavur Big temple #Thanjavur Brahadeeswara Temple #Thanjavur temple Islam

[praveenmohantamil]

Hey guys, ரொம்ப தூரம் தள்ளி ஒரு மலை உச்சில பழங்காலத்து கோவில் இருக்கு, இங்க அவ்வளவா யாரும் சுத்தி பாக்குறதுக்கோ, இல்ல சாமி கும்பிடுறதுக்கோ வர்றதில்ல. ஆனா researchers, historians அப்பறம் archaeologists இவங்க எல்லாரும் இந்த இடத்த ஆராய்ச்சி பண்ணது மட்டுமில்லாம, இந்த இடத்தால அவங்க எல்லாரும் மண்டைய பிச்சுக்குற அளவுக்கு குழம்பி போய் இருக்காங்க. இந்த கோவிலோட origin, இதோட டிசைன் அப்பறம் இதுல மறைஞ்சுருக்கற codes இப்படி இந்த கோவில பத்தின எல்லாமே மர்மமாவே இருக்குது. வாங்க, இந்த extraordinary-ஆன (மர்மமான) கோவில போய் பாக்கலாம். இந்த கோவிலோட பேரு விஜயாலய சோழீஸ்வரம். அங்க மரத்துக்கு பின்னாடி இருக்கற கோவில் கோபுரத்த உங்களால பாக்க முடியுதா? அது தான் நாம தேடி வந்த கோவில், இன்னைக்கு இந்த கோவிலோட பேரு விஜயாலய சோழீஸ்வரம், ஆனா இதோட உண்மையான பேர் என்னனு, experts-லாம் கூட argue பண்ணிட்டு இருக்காங்க.  

-பிரவீன் மோகன்

#yaali #vijayalayacholeeswaram #chola #tamilnadu #ancient temple #ancient technology #ancient science #ancient carving #india #ancient india #history #mystery #archeology #praveenmohan #praveenmohantamil

[praveenmohantelugu]

రాజ రాజ చోళుడిని హత్య చేశారా?! రాజుగారి చావు వెనుక ఉన్న మర్మం!

Hey guys, ఈ videoలో నేను వెతికిన “రాజ రాజ” చోళ సమాధిని   మీకు చూపించబోతున్నాను. ఆయన సమాధి ఉదయలూరు అనే ఒక చిన్న గ్రామంలో ఉందని చెప్పారు. ఇక్కడే ఆయన్ని పాతిపెట్టినట్టు లేదా దహనం చేసినట్లు rumors వచ్చాయి. నేను ఈ placeకి వచ్చినప్పుడు, దాదాప�� రెండు అడుగుల ఎత్తుగా ఉన్న ఒక లింగాన్ని చూసి నేను ఆశ్చర్యపోయాను, ఇంకా ఈ పూజారి ఈ లింగం యొక్క మిగతా structure పద్నాలుగు(14) అడుగులు భూమి లోపల పాతిపెట్టబడిందని నాకు చెప్పాడు. ఇది కేవలం ఒకటిన్నర అడుగుల diameterతో  ఉన్న ఒక సాధారణమైన లింగం. అతను ఈ లింగాన్ని రాజ రాజ చోళ సమాధి అని చెప్పాడు.

 రాజ రాజ చోళ ఎలా చనిపోయారో తెలుసా అని నేను ఈయన్ని అడిగాను, అందుకు, రాజ రాజ చోళుడు వయసవ్వడంతో సహజంగా చనిపోయారని ఇంకా ఇక్కడే ఆయన్ని దహనం చేసారని చెప్పారు. ఒక గొప్ప రాజుకి ఇంత చిన్న సమాధి ఎందుకు ఉంటుంది? చుడండి ఇక్కడ ఏఒక్క రాతిశాసనాలు లేవు అంతెందుకు ఈ లింగం చుట్టూ ఏ శిల్పం కూడా లేదనే దాన్ని మీరు clearగా చూడవచ్చు. బాగా గుర్తుంచుకోండి, రాజ రాజ చోళుడు  indiaలోనే చాలా పెద్ద గుడిని కట్టిన ఒక గొప్ప రాజు. ఈ గుడిని ఇప్పుడు world heritage siteగ మార్చారు అంటే ప్రపంచ వారసత్వ స్థలంగా మార్చారు. 

అంతేకాక ఆయన సాధించిన  విషయాలు గురించి, ఆయన గురించి ఇంకా చాలా విషయాలను చాల గుడులలో గోడల మీద చెక్కారు. So, నేను ఈ పూజారిని, ఇది నిజంగానే రాజ రాజ చోళ రాజుని సమాధి అని prove చెయ్యడానికి  ఏదైనా evidence ఉందా అని అడిగాను. అందుకు ఆయన ఇక్కడ ఒక స్థంభం ఉండేదని అది కొన్ని మైళ్ల దూరంలో ఉన్న పాల్కుళత్తు  అమ్మన్ గుడికి దానం చేసారని చెప్పారు. ఆ స్తంభంలో రాజ రాజ చోళ రాజు ఇక్కడే చనిపోయారని prove చేయడానికి రాతిశాసనాలు ఉన్నాయని ఈ పూజారి చెప్పారు. So, నేను ఆ స్థంభంలో ఉన్న నిజాన్ని తెలుసుకోవడానికి ఆ గుడికి వెళ్లాలని decide ఐయ్యను. 

నేను ఆ గుడికి వెళ్లిన వెంటనే, straightగా ఆ స్థంభం దగ్గరకు వెళ్ళాను. ఈ స్తంభంలో "రాజరాజ" అనే పదం ఉంది కాబట్టి ఇది ఖచ్చితంగా రాజుకు  సంబంధించింది అనుకుంట, కానీ ఈ రాతిశాసనం ఎం చెప్తుందో అని నేను clearగా అర్థం చేసుకోలేకపోయాను. So, నేను వాటన్నిటిని చాలా anglesలో photos  తీసి అదేలాగా చాలా పదాలను scratchpadలో copy చేసుకున్నాను. తర్వాత నేను ఒక epigraphist అంటే రాతిచెక్కడాల నిపుణిని కలిశాను, వాళైతేనే ఇందులో ఏం రాసారు అని exactగా చెప్పగలరు. 

Epigraphist ఇచ్చిన ఆ informationని నేను ఇంకొక expertని అడిగి ఒకటికి రెండుసార్లు ఈ information correct ఎహ్ నా అని check చేసుకున్నాను. ఈ శాసనం ఎం చెప్తుందంటే "రాజ రాజ చోళుని కోటని నలుగురు మళ్లీ కొత్తగా కట్టారని చెప్తుంది. ఆ నలుగురు ఎవరు ఇంకా వాళ్ల పేర్లు అన్ని ఈ స్తంభం మీద ఉన్న శాసనాన్ని చూసి మనం తెలుస్కోవచ్చు. ఈ శాసనంలో రాజ రాజ చోళ రాజుని చావు గురించో లేదా ఆయన సమాధి గురించో ఏఒక్క informations లేదు. అయితే బహుశా ఈ లింగం ఉన్న place రాజ రాజ చోళుడి సమాధి కాదు ఎందుకంటే అలా చెప్పడానికి ఎలాంటి ఆధారాలు ఇక్కడ లేవు. 

దీన్ని చూస్తుంటే రాజ రాజ చోళ రాజుకి నిజంగా ఏమైందని and ఎలా చనిపోయారని, ఇలాంటి questions నాకు చాలా వస్తున్నాయి. ఈయన దహన కార్యాయాలు ఎక్కడ జరిగాయి? మీరే ఒక్క క్షణం ఆలోచించండి, రాజ రాజ చోళుడు సాధించిన విజయాల గురించి వందలాది శాసనాలు ఉన్నాయి, ఆయన ఎలా మిగతా దేశాలను గెలిచాడు, ఆయన ఎలా పెద్ద గుడులను కట్టాడు, ఇంకా ఆయన ఎప్పుడు పుట్టారు అని కూడా శాసనాలు ఉన్నాయి.  కానీ ఆయన ఎప్పుడు ఎలా చనిపోయారు, ఎక్కడ పాతి పెట్టబడ్డారు ఎక్కడ దహనం చేశారనే  దానిపై ఎలాంటి informations లేదు. 

 దీన్ని కనిపెట్టడానికి నేను మళ్లీ తంజావూరికి వెళ్లి ఆయన మరణం గురించి తెలుసుకోవాలని decide  అయ్యాను. కొంత మంది expertsకి నేను contact చేశాను, వాళ్లు ఏం చెప్పారంటే ఒక రాజు ఎలా చనిపోయారని ఏఒక్క records లేకుంటే దానికి ఒకే ఒక కారణం ఉంటుంది, ఆ రాజు యొక్క చావు natural death కాకుండా ఉంటుంది. ఒకవేళ రాజుని చంపితే లేదా ఆత్మహత్య చేసుకుంటే గాని పాతకాలపు వాళ్లు దాని record చేసిఉండరు. రాజ రాజ చోళుని మరణం ఎవరికైనా తెలుసా అని అడగడానికి నేను తంజావూరులో  ఉన్న గ్రామస్థులతో మాట్లాడాను. అక్కడ ఉన్న అందరూ ఒకే కథను చెప్పారు. 

అదేంటంటే, శ్రీలంకకు చెందిన ఒక స్త్రీ, రాజ రాజ చోళుడిని హత్య చేసిందని చెప్తున్నారు. ఇది వినడానికి చాలా విచిత్రంగా ఉంది. సరే ఈ పెద్దాయన చెప్పేది విందాం. ఇప్పుడు క్రీ.శ తొమ్మిదివందల తొంభై మూడు(993)లో రాజ రాజ చోళుడు  ఐదవ మహింద రాజుని యుద్ధంలో ఓడించి దాదాపు  సగం శ్రీలంకాని గెలిచారు. ఓడిపోయిన మహింద రాజు ఎవరి చేతిలో చిక్కకూడదని south sri lankaకి పారిపోయాడు. యుద్ధంలో రాజ రాజ చోళుని ఓడించలేము. అందుకని మహింద రాజు    శ్రీలంకాలో బౌద్ధ  మతానికి చెందిన ఒక అమ్మాయిని రాజ రాజ చోళుని కోటకి పంపించారు, ఆ అమ్మాయి కొంచం కొంచంగా రాజుకి దగ్గరయ్యింది. So, రాజ రాజ చోళుని సమాధిని ఇంకా ఆయన మరణానికి కారణం కనిపెట్టే ఈ process complete అవ్వలేదు, అయినాగానీ నేను research చేస్తూనే ఉంటాను, ఏదో ఒక రోజు కచ్చితంగా కనిపెడతానని నేను  అనుకుంటున్నాను.

- Praveen Mohan Telugu 

#Hinduism #hindu king #Raja raja chola #Ancient Temple #Ancient king #thanjavur temple #నిజమైనచరిత్ర praveenmohantelugu ప్రవీణ్_మోహన్ #తెలుగు #tumblr feed

[zindagi-se-darte-ho]

Interesting Topics to Research On for Bored AF People (desi version)

The Bengal Sultanate

Dominance of taka in Silk Route Trade

Tibetan Buddhism

Chamba Rumal

Pashupati Seal

Zeb-un-nissa Begum

Rasa theory of Natyashastra

Gargi-Yajnavalkya Dialogue

Saraswati (River and Goddess)

Rudraveena

Atman-Brahman Relation and Mahavakyas

70's Bollywood fashion

Paintings of Raja Ravi Varma

Dhrupad

History of Chai/Cha

Mother Goddess Mohenjo Daro

Chanakya

Prakrit Language

Baro-Bhuiyan

Chicankari

Brajabuli

Tantra

Shipton–Tilman Nanda Devi expeditions

Banaras

Annamalaiyar Temple

Chola Dynasty

Pala Empire

Terracotta Temples of Bengal

#desiblr #desi #desi tag #desi tumblr #desiposting #desi humor #being desi #desi academia #nerd stuff #school #desi history #pop culture #bollywood songs #hindustani classical music #the nerd speaks #trust me this works #best way to start the day

[fishnets-fingers]

Forbidden Hours

“Sounds like someone’s projecting,” he says, voice laced with honey.

“I’m not projecting anything.”

“Sounds like what you’re saying is that you’re jealous that I have the confidence to partake in intercourse and you’re a bumbling virgin-“

“I’ve read all of the volumes of the Kamasutra. I know my way around when I need to engage in coitus for reproduction,” she cuts him off.

“Oh, sweet sweet Princess,” he whispers, using her title condescendingly. “Sex is more than just reproduction.” He strides towards her.

PAIRING - spy!harry x princess!y/n

a/n - happy first day of 2023! this is my first time writing historical fiction. it’s loosely inspired by a movie, particularly this scene. it’s not historically accurate in the slightest. you can read more about the chola dynasty here. don’t know how many parts this would have but i’m hoping to write more of these two’s dynamic. if you have any ideas, let me know. as always, like and reblog. feed back is not only appreciated but much welcome. happy reading!

Word Count - 4.2k (not proofread)

MASTERPOST | PART TWO

….

நிழல். Shadow. That was his nickname among the royal heirs. He was quiet, swift, inconspicuous, and nimble - camouflaging himself in vast rooms and gathering intel. There wasn’t a room in the kingdom he couldn’t weasel himself in; whether that be up on the roof, scaling walls, or hidden in the dark - where candle lights don’t flicker.

Growing up as the son of a British sea merchant, Harry learned that there wasn’t much for a young boy to do in the cramped quarters of the ship. He’d lost his mother the moment he took his first breath. There wasn’t a lot of maternal warmth in his life but that wasn’t to say that he wasn’t loved. He was loved in a different way, his father kept him close during the wuthering nights at sea often pointing out constellations in the night sky to remind him that life had far more in store for him than the fervent passing waves of the sea. But he was also a man that did not believe in making mistakes, so whenever Harry got in trouble, he was asked to scrub the deck floor clean until his hands bled. He learnt his way around a sword from the crewmen. Travelling to different ports of the world also meant learning different forms of combat and gathering information from people of different cultures. Stewing in a ship with ten men for months meant no entertainment, so he began sifting for stories and used their weakness and strengths against them to gain favours.

He docked on Chozhamandalam when he was twenty and was greeted with a red swallowtail flag with a pouncing tiger on it. He grew to love the people of Kaveripattinam - the bustle of the markets, the chortle of the children running about, the welcoming people, and the way art was particularly celebrated in this small port town, and the princess he set his sights on his third day of being docked there. He’s heard of royalty. Lots of royalty. Cruel rulers. Compassionate rulers. Ostentatious rulers. Modest rulers. Heard. But he’s never seen one in the flesh. Until that day.

A crowd gathered near the temple, murmurs of visiting royals spread like wildfire, and when he’d caught wind of it, he couldn’t resist. Ten soldiers walked first clearing the path, two on horses and sheathed swords followed, then came ten men bearing the weight of a palanquin. It wasn’t an ordinary palanquin, this particular one was grandiose, shimmering in gold and stained glass but the insides were draped in silk to obstruct the view of the onlookers. The Queen Mother exited first, greeting the townspeople and that’s when Harry saw her - the Princess Regnant, the one third in line to the throne. He found himself unable to tear his eyes away from the way her lips curled up in an inviting smile. Harry has seen many a sight in his life but none would compare to the way the royal blue silk saree draped around her body made her skin shimmer; it reminded him of how the first light of the sun would glint and glimmer on the steady ocean water. Her eyes were dark, like the deepest part of the sea where light does not enter. She was adorned in gold, hair piled up into a tall bun that was decorated with jasmine flowers. Their temple visit was brief, the Princess joined her grandmother thanking people for their well wishes before being escorted into the temple premises. It was her eighteenth birthday, so a feast was prepared for everyone in town. As the crowd dissipated to head to the town hall for the royal lunch, Harry lingered wanting to catch sight of the Princess again. He managed to climb a peepal tree that towered over the south entrance of the temple. He saw her again, only this time being told off by the guard as she tried to reach over to pluck a blooming lotus from the temple pond. She huffed in response settling down on the step, so the water lapped at her feet, guiding a tadpole trapped in a water bubble on the lotus pad back into the water.

Three years later, he’d made himself a name in the kingdom. His path stumbled with the Crown Prince a month after arriving. He soon became his confidant, even earning a spot in his army. The Crown Prince, Vikram, was a skilled warrior often going off on conquests under the King’s orders to further expand the country. The youngest Prince, Karthi, was sent to the island of Lanka to study apothecary and healing. And the middle heir, Princess Y/N, was known for her wisdom and strategic wit. She often presided in important meetings with the King and his counsel and implemented many strategies that helped triple the wealth of the dynasty and the well-being of the people. The first battle Harry rode alongside the Crown Prince, he was tasked with bringing home a note sent by the prince to his father detailing his plans on the war spoils to the King. Harry was entrusted with carrying secrets and messages to royalty and trusted members of the Crown. His knack of gathering information also came in handy and now was a spy for the royal heirs three years later.

Soon enough the nickname Shadow was bestowed upon him by Prince Karthi. There wasn’t a single room he couldn’t get into - even the castle. But the tower he was currently scaling was one he never had before - Princess Y/N’s chamber. It was forbidden to talk to her without supervision but in the dark of the night, he supposed it did not matter. His job description came with breaking rules and this particular information needed for her to be in the know sans protocols.

He hitched his leg up over the stone bannister and lurched his torso up to the terrace. Princess Y/N’s tower was away from the main dome of the royal vacation castle and he chalked it up for safety but now standing at her balcony, he understands why. The view was unbelievable - the vast expanse of the ocean was at his feet, calm waters painted silver with the full moon; it also overlooked her personal garden filled with coral jasmine, hibiscus, marigolds, and wildflowers. The ocean breeze carried over the fragrance of the flora straight to her room. It was well known that the princess was an avid gardener; he heard through the grapevine that oftentimes she’d sketch out the garden’s landscape plans and sometimes even join the workers to tend to the flower beds. Princes who came to court her from neighbouring territories would almost always bring a sapling of a flowering plant to gain affection.

One could get used to the view, he thinks, as he leans against the bannister one more time - the sounds of tides crashing over the shore soothe his nerves from his climb up. Being born with the golden spoon ain’t that bad. If the burden of duty came with such lavish living quarters, someone sign me the fuck up, Harry takes in the scenery before him before pushing off from it. His body instinctively makes his way to her, like a moth being drawn to a frame, or in this case a spy being drawn to the lavish canopy bed bathed in the buttery glow of candlelight. He stops in his tracks for the second time by the sight of her, not by the opulent beauty that she radiated when he first laid eyes on her but with fondness.

It’s not the Princess Regnant who’s fast asleep on her bed but Y/N. The same Y/N who bristles every time he’s in the room with her siblings. The same Y/N who straightens up her back and holds her chin up high when he cracks a joke to try and force a smile on her face.The same Y/N who looks away when he catches her eyeing him up as he hands over the sealed scroll sent by one of her brothers. It’s almost as if Harry is seeing her for the first time without any filters - except for the sheer white netted fabric that hangs around. She looks small without all the jewellery and silks. Hair raven and straight and long - longer than what he had anticipated - now that her hair has not been pinned up in a bun or bushed away from her face with intricate braids. She looks vulnerable - almost her age - a twenty one year old with a bare face that is not made up immaculately. She has dark circles under her eyes, and Harry deduces that it’s from reading all the books she has strewn over - opened - beside her on the satin sheets. Her lips are curled downwards; she frowns in her sleep and Harry has to try and fight the urge to reach over and smooth out the crinkle between her eyebrows.

He clears his throat, hoping she’ll wake up before he ends up touching her and landing himself in prison. She twitches in response, her steady deep breaths interrupted by a sharp inhale. He clears his throat again, louder this time, followed by, “Your royal highness.”

Y/N’s eyes flutter open, and she jolts up when she sees a tall figure standing beside her. “Who?” She asks, voice hoarse, eyes darting up over his broad chest.

“It’s me, Princess Y/N,” Harry answers.

“Mr. Styles.” Hand coming over to rub the sleep from her eye. “What are you doing here? In my chamber? You’re not allowed,” she states.

“I apologise, your majesty. I’ve been riding for five hours, ma’am. From the estate in the hills. Couldn’t risk having someone overhearing this for the sake of protocol,” he explains.

“So, was I right?” Y/N questions, shuffling out of her bed. Harry moves behind so she has the space to stand upright. “Are the governors convening?”

She gets no reply, making her flit her eyes up at his jade embers to find him staring at her body. Harry could make out the full curves of her breasts and hips with the flimsy white gown Y/N was wearing. Her nipples pebbled from the cold winds from the sea and peaks out the cotton fabric. She rolls her eyes, and snaps her fingers in front of his face to catch his attention. “I could have your eyes gouged out this instant, Harry Edward Styles! There are guards on the other side of this door.”

“Apologies, Princ-“

“You’re full of apologies tonight, aren’t you?” Y/N folds her arms, shielding her chest from his gaze.

“Sorry, Prin-“

Y/N laughs. “It’s far too late for formalities, Mr. Styles. Plus, they only apply to people who follow protocols and walk in through there,” she cocks her head to the carved wooden door. Considering you broke into my room by climbing my balcony, I reckon you can give it a rest. Call me Y/N.”

“Yes,” Harry nods. “Y/N,” he adds. Testing out the way her name rolls out of his mouth. He can’t help the way his dimples carve in his cheeks as the corner of his lips tug upward. I like it, he decides. He likes the way saying her name feels on his tongue, it’s rich and velvety and he wants to keep saying it again and again. “Please call me Harry.”

“Harry, tell me what you saw. Don’t leave out any details,” she orders, walking over to her desk.

Fucking shit, Harry shakes his head. How was he supposed to concentrate when the candles she was lighting only made the silhouette of her body more prominent. She could clearly see the swell of her bum and he’ll bet his entire fortune that she wasn’t wearing anything underneath other than that flimsy gown. He shamelessly lets his eyes rake up over her and his heart flutters when he meets her expenatant eyes, quill hovering over a parchment, urging him to vomit out what he knows.

“Yes. The Hill estate,” he clears his throat. “You’re right. Five governors held a secret meeting at midnight at the Bull temple. You know, the one that was destroyed last monsoon by a landslide.”

Y/N scoffs and lets out a chuckle of disbelief. “Of course, they pick the most obvious spot. Were you able to get a good look at who these governors are?”

“Yes. Do you want me to list them out?”

“Please,” she says, writing down each of the names that Harry listed. He walks closer to where she was hunched over, writing. Harry’s not surprised to see the elegance in her script.

“Impressive. Nice handwriting,” he comments.

“Hardly something to be impressed by, Harry.”

“Well, Y/N, it’s better than mine.”

“If you had tutors from all over the world, I’m sure your script will look just as impressive,” she adds.

“Of course.” He nods. “The meeting. The governors are unhappy with the decree to build schools using the tax money they’re collecting.”

“Of course they are,” she mumbles. “They’re all for taxes when they can use it to fatten themselves up but ask them to spend it on the children of their districts, they are suddenly unhappy with the new system implemented.”

“That’s not all.” Harry opens a silver box and pops a date into his mouth.

“Help yourself,” Y/N comments, shaking her head at his lack of etiquette. Harry’s face flushes with pink and he can feel the tips of his ears getting hot.

“It’s a long journey back here,” he tells her, avoiding her eyes in embarrassment and on cue his stomach rumbles.

Y/N eyes soften. “There are fruits in the basket. And here.” She walks over pulling out a glass jar filled with jujubes from the drawer by her bedside and brings it over to him.

“You have gummies in your drawer,” he notes, smirking at the half eaten jar of sugar coated coloured candy.

“I have a bit of a sweet tooth,” she tells him with a shy smile. He props himself on the table and she makes her way to her desk, watching him eat.

“Harry,” she calls out. “You said that’s not all,” she prompts.

“Your Uncle was there,” he tells her quietly, not wanting anyone to hear.

“My Uncle?” She asks, alarmed. “Can’t be.”

“I saw him, Y/N. He came in shrouded in a black cloak. He’s sired an offspring he said. Claimed that his son had a right to the throne. That’s as much as what was said before they dispersed.”

“You’re positive?”

“Are you implying that I’m being dishonest?”

“I’m not implying anything,” Y/N snaps. “I just want you to be sure.”

“I saw him with my own two eyes, Y/N. I was taken aback too. Both Princes speak of him fondly.”

“Seems like there’s a conspiracy afoot,” Y/N says, almost to herself.

“I’ll let Prince Vikaram know immediately,” he informs.

“Don’t. He’s hot headed. God knows he’ll come charging to the capital and stick a knife in my Uncle’s throat. I’ll take care of it myself.”

“What are you going to do?”

“That’s below your pay grade, spy. I’ll handle this myself. I’m heading to the capital tomorrow for a meeting with my father and the court. How long would it take for you to sail to Lanka alone?”

“Almost a week,” Harry answers.

“Okay. I want you to set sail to Lanka five days from now. I’ll have a scroll delivered to you at noon by the docks. Hand it over to Karthi. Father will want him back in the capital. Keep mum about this and you’ll be rewarded handsomely.”

Harry nods. “Don’t want gold coins this time. I want a house. Close to the sea. One with space for a yard.”

“I’ll see to it.”

“Thank you, Y/N. I’ll set sail five days from now to Lanka. It’ll also be nice to pay the old man a visit too.”

“Your father’s there?”

Harry nods.

“How is Merchant Styles? I heard he’s retired” Y/N asks.

“He took to Buddhist teachings. Become a proper monk now,” Harry chuckles.

Y/N laughs, one that’s laced with mockery.

“What’s so funny?” Harry asks, standing up abandoning the food.

“Nothing,” she gets out between peels of laughter, wiping her the tears that threaten to spill.

“With all due respect, Princess. Spit it the fuck out,” he huffs out in annoyance.

“It’s just funny. Your father practises a faith that preaches restraint of the senses as one of its precepts and then there’s you.” She bites down on her bottom lip to stop herself from breaking out into a fit of laughter.

“I don’t quite follow,” he crosses her arms.

“Of course you don’t,” she chuckles, straightening up and tilting her chin up.

“You always do that,” he points out. “Pretend you're better than me. It’s obvious you hate me when I’ve been nothing but friendly.”

“You’re not my friend. You’re Vikram’s friend. And Karthi’s. I don’t know you. And I know for a fact that I’m better than you,” YN's eyebrow raises in arrogance.

“What makes you so sure?” Harry takes a step towards her.

“Because, Harry Styles, you’re the proverbial whore of the town. I don’t go around screwing everything with a pulse,” she smiles arrogantly at him.

“How did you come upon this piece of information?” He asks her.

“News travels fast, especially with handmaidens. So, that’s why it’s funny. Your father practises self-restraint and you are on a mission to contract a venereal disease.”

“Sounds like someone’s projecting,” he says, voice laced with honey.

“I’m not projecting anything.”

“Sounds like what you’re saying is that you’re jealous that I have the confidence to partake in intercourse and you’re a bumbling virgin-“

“I’ve read all of the volumes of the Kamasutra. I know my way around when I need to engage in coitus for reproduction,” she cuts him off.

“Oh, sweet sweet Princess,” he whispers, using her title condescendingly. “Sex is more than just reproduction.” He strides towards her.

“It is. That’s what the textbook says: It's a womanly duty to service the man and bear his children. It’s sacred,” she insists, taking a step back.

“I’m surprised for someone with such progressive morals… Your view on pleasure seems archaic,” he takes a step toward her again.

“Books do not lie, spy. They have the whole truth.” She steps back again, bumping into the edge of her teakwood desk, trapping herself.

“What do your precious books say about the way your body sparkles when you reach a satisfying end?” He goads, taking a final step forward and invading her personal space.

“You are forbidden to come this close to me, Harry.” Y/N reminds him in futility. Feeling his hard chest against her, thighs rubbing up against him, she can feel his hard muscles straining against her and his warmth radiate, crawling its way into her skin.

“Call out to the guards then,” he reminds her, dropping his head down to nose at her temple.

“I will,” her voice is feeble. “You’ll be cut into pieces and thrown in the ocean.”

“I’ll take my chances,” he smirks, as his lips circuit down the shell of her ear. “I don’t see you telling me to stop.” His tongue laves at her lobe, teeth coming to clamp down gently and tug.

Y/N squeaks feeling his action go down straight to her core. “I know how to defend myself.”

“I don’t doubt it for a second.” He stops, pulling back to look at her. “You don’t need to fight me,” his voice rings with sincerity. “Just tell me to stop and I will, Y/N.” He looks at her, searching her face for an answer.

“What else?” She murmurs, after a few moments, looking up into his eyes.

“Hmm?”

“What else? Things that haven’t been mentioned in books,” she clarifies.

His eyes shine with mischief as he simpers, dimples dazzling. “Where do I start, Y/N…” he trails off, fully pressing himself against her chest. God, she’s so responsive, he marvels at the way her chest heaves against his, heart stammering a staccato against his own racing heart. She’s soft and warm and she smells heavenly. His lips find its way to the base of her jaw, dragging up and leaving open mouth kisses on her smooth skin. “When you find someone desirable, you feel the heat pool in your belly and spread like wildfire across every nerve ending of your body.” He kisses her cheek, a hand going to intertwine with hers.

“Have you felt that?” He asks, feeling hot puffs of her breath against his neck. Y/N shakes her head. “It’s not very noble to lie, Princess,” he whispers, lips moving against the column of her throat. “I see the way you fuck me with your eyes.”

“I do not-“ her voice cuts off as Harry suckles on her jugular, feeling her hammering pulse underneath his lips. She lets out a whimper that goes straight to his fattening cock. Y/N’s mouth falls open dragging in breaths of fresh air, her free hand bracing against the desk to hold herself upright. “I do not fuck you with my eyes.”

“Really?” He says popping off, his calloused fingers come to caress the agitated spot. He was careful not to leave a hickey but he loved the way her skin turned a baby pink in response to his ministrations. “I guess I must have imagined all those times you looked me up and down?”

“I guess you did, Harry,” her chest heaves as she tries to maintain composure. It wasn’t right to be doing this with Harry. It wasn’t right to be doing this with anyone outside the sanctity of a marital bed but it’s exhilarating, breaking rules. She’s not sure if it’s Harry or it’s just the thrill of doing something that might get her in trouble with her parents. They trust her. Trusted her enough to let her move out of the capital and to the port town with her grandmother because she wishes to live by the beach. And here she was enjoying herself with a plebian. A foreigner. A spy. She met him when she was eighteen as her brother’s friend and he was handsome. Chocolate brown curls, smatter of freckles on the bridge of his nose, a perfect smile, dimples, and an alluring set of mossy green irises. She’s heard stories and rumours of his sexual escapades and as much as she detested hearing those stories, she detested the fact that she’s been comparing the princes who had come to ask for her hand in marriage to him. But all she could think of was how strong his arm was wrapped around her waist, pulling her even closer to him.

“Stubborn,” he smirks up. “See what you do to me?” He presses his hard cock against her pelvic bone, watching the way her eyes darken as she realises, the sight smirk of hers doesn't go unnoticed by him. “You’ve been driving me insane since the day I saw you on your eighteenth birthday. Went back to my quarters and touched myself to the thought of you,” he confesses. “You’ve been in my dreams ever since.” He cups her cheek, thumb moving back and forth across her lips.

“Are you going to kiss me, Harry?” She asks, looking up at him.

“Have you kissed anyone before?” He questions.

She shakes her head. “My handmaidens have kissed the people who were courting them. They told me how to do it and helped me practise on fruit.”

“That so?” He smiles, lips ghosting her Cupid’s bow. “You know kissing is pretty easy, Y/N,” he declares. “But it’s also powerful” he tells her, lips moving against hers. “‘A kiss may ruin a human life.’”

“Oscar Wilde,” she says, recognising his quote, surprised by his knowledge of poetry. She gets on her toes, pulling her intertwined hand out of Harry’s, and running it down his chest, she can feel the way his muscles ripple underneath the fabric of his shirt. Her chest heaves, belly clenching in anticipation as he lowers tilts his head to the side, noses squished and her mouth opens in anticipation.

He presses his forehead against hers savouring the moment. “And I’m sure that if I start kissing you now, Princess… I might never be able to stop,” he tells her, breathing in her intoxicating sweet floral scent. He concedes by kissing her eyelids and he’s fighting the urge to not run his hands down her body and up her thighs to see if she’s wet for him, but he steps away wanting to be respectful.

Y/N can’t hide the disappointment in her face when backs away from her. His hands come to cup her cheeks, smearing a tender kiss on her forehead. “Never met anyone who has me on a chokehold, Y/N,” he confesses. “I shall bid my goodbye.” He brings her hand to his mouth and kisses her palm, pressing it to his cheek.

“See you Harry,” she smiles. “You’ll be given the scroll at the docks at noon five days from now,” she informs, standing upright; snapping back into the person she was before being pushed up against the desk by Harry.

“Princess Y/N,” he bows, popping a piece of jujube in his mouth before making his way to her balcony. He gives her a salute one last time before climbing down the tower during forbidden hours, like he always does. But this time, he’s rappelling down the side of the stone structure with butterflies in his tummy.

part two

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#harry styles #harry styles imagine #harry styles one shot #harry styles x reader #harry styles fluff #harry styles smut #harry styles x y/n #harry styles y/n #harry styles yn #harry styles x you #spy!harry #princess!reader #princess!y/n #one direction #fishnets-fingers #come say hi #please leave tags if you reblog #harry styles angst #forbidden hours

[shikhersimagery]

Sky in reverence by Shikher's Imagery Via Flickr: No matter how mighty and grand the temple was envisaged, the entrance to the ‘garbh grih’, like any other temple, was kept low enough for even the emperor to bow before he sought blessings from his deity. Brihadisvara temple, also known as Peruvudaiyar Kovil or Rajarajeswaram, was built under the reign of Raja Raja Chola I between 1003 and 1010 CE.

#Brihadisvara Temple #Peruvudaiyar Kovil #UNESCO World Heritage Site #Thanjavur #Tamil Nadu #temple #Shiva #Chola #Rajaraja Chola I #Kunjaramallan Raja Raja Perunthachan #flickr

[shikhers]

Sky in reverence by Shikher's Imagery Via Flickr: No matter how mighty and grand the temple was envisaged, the entrance to the ‘garbh grih’, like any other temple, was kept low enough for even the emperor to bow before he sought blessings from his deity. Brihadisvara temple, also known as Peruvudaiyar Kovil or Rajarajeswaram, was built under the reign of Raja Raja Chola I between 1003 and 1010 CE.

#Brihadisvara Temple #Peruvudaiyar Kovil #UNESCO World Heritage Site #Thanjavur #Tamil Nadu #temple #Shiva #Chola #Rajaraja Chola I #Kunjaramallan Raja Raja Perunthachan #flickr