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Brihadisvara Temple" redirects here. For the Brihadiswara temple in Gangaikonda Cholapuram, see Brihadisvara Temple, Gangaikonda Cholapuram.

"Rajarajeswaram" redirects here. For the lord Shiva temple in Taliparamba, Kerala, see Rajarajeshwara Temple.

Brihadisvara Temple, Thanjavur
Brihadishvara temple complex
Religion
Affiliation | Hinduism
District | Thanjavur District
Deity | Shiva
Festivals | Maha Shivaratiri
Location
Location | Thanjavur
State | Tamil Nadu
Country | India
Location in Tamil Nadu, IndiaShow map of IndiaShow map of Tamil NaduShow all
Geographic coordinates | 10°46′58″N 79°07′54″E Coordinates: 10°46′58″N 79°07′54″E
Architecture
Style | Chola architecture
Creator | Raja Raja Chola I
Completed | 1010 AD[1][2]
Inscriptions | Tamil
Elevation | 66 m (217 ft)

UNESCO World Heritage Site

Official name | The Brihadisvara Temple Complex, Thanjavur
Part of | Great Living Chola Temples
Criteria | Cultural: (ii), (iii)
Reference | 250bis-001
Inscription | 1987 (11th Session)
Extensions | 2004
Area | 18.07 ha (44.7 acres)
Buffer zone | 9.58 ha (23.7 acres)

Peruvudaiyār Kōvil (Original Name) locally known as Thanjai Periya Kovil, also called as Brihadishvara temple, Rajarajeswaram, is a Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva located in South bank of Cauvery river in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, India. It is one of the largest South Indian temples and an exemplary example of a fully realized Tamil architecture.It is called as Dakshina Meru (Meru of south).Built by Tamil king Raja Raja Chola I between 1003 and 1010 AD, the temple is a part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the "Great Living Chola Temples", along with the Chola dynasty era Gangaikonda Cholapuram temple and Airavatesvara temple that are about 70 kilometres (43 mi) and 40 kilometres (25 mi) to its northeast respectively.

The original monuments of this 11th-century temple were built around a moat. It included gopura, the main temple, its massive tower, inscriptions, frescoes, and sculptures predominantly related to Shaivism, but also of Vaishnavism and Shaktism traditions of Hinduism. The temple was damaged in its history and some artwork is now missing. Additional mandapam and monuments were added in the centuries that followed. The temple now stands amidst fortified walls that were added after the 16th century.[7][8]

Built out of granite, the vimana tower above the shrine is one of the tallest in South India.[3] The temple has a massive colonnaded prakara (corridor) and one of the largest Shiva lingas in India.[3][6][9] It is also famed for the quality of its sculpture, as well as being the location that commissioned the brass Nataraja – Shiva as the lord of dance, in 11th century. The complex includes shrines for Nandi, Parvati, Kartikeya, Ganesha, Sabhapati, Dakshinamurti, Chandeshvara, Varahi and others.[6][10] The temple is one of the most visited tourist attractions in Tamil Nadu

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Arulmozhivarman, a Tamil emperor  Rajaraja Chola I laid out foundations of Brihadeeswarar Temple during 1002 CE. It was first among other great building projects by Tamil Chola. A symmetrical and axial geometry rules layout of this temple. Temples from same period and two following centuries are expressions of Tamils Chola power, artistic expertise and wealth. Emergence of these types of features, such as multifaceted columns along with projecting signals of square capitals signifies arrival of Chola style, which was new at that time.It is one architectural exemplar, which showcases true form of Dravida kind of architecture in temples and is a representative of ideology of Chola Empire and Southern India’s Tamil civilization. Brihadeeswarar Temple “testifies to Chola’s brilliant achievements in architecture, painting, bronze casting and sculpture.” It is said that after seeing Pallava Rajasimha Temples in Kanchipuram, Emperor Rajaraja Cholan had the dream of establishing such a huge temple for Lord Shiva. Brihadeeswarar Temple is first among all buildings, which make use of granite fully and it finished within five years from 1004 AD to 1009 AD.The greatest of Chola emperors Rajaraja-I (985 A.D – 1012 A.D) the son of Sundara Chola (Parantaka-II) and Vanavan mahadevi built this magnificent temple named Brihadeeswarar ​at Thanjavur – the capital of Chola dynasty.From the Epigraphical evidence it is known about Rajaraja-I started building this temple on his 19th year and completed on 275th day of his 25th year. It took just 6 years to complete this work on 1010 A.D.

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Arulmozhivarman, a Tamil emperor  Rajaraja Chola I laid out foundations of Brihadeeswarar Temple during 1002 CE. It was first among other great building projects by Tamil Chola. A symmetrical and axial geometry rules layout of this temple. Temples from same period and two following centuries are expressions of Tamils Chola power, artistic expertise and wealth. Emergence of these types of features, such as multifaceted columns along with projecting signals of square capitals signifies arrival of Chola style, which was new at that time.It is one architectural exemplar, which showcases true form of Dravida kind of architecture in temples and is a representative of ideology of Chola Empire and Southern India’s Tamil civilization. Brihadeeswarar Temple “testifies to Chola’s brilliant achievements in architecture, painting, bronze casting and sculpture.” It is said that after seeing Pallava Rajasimha Temples in Kanchipuram, Emperor Rajaraja Cholan had the dream of establishing such a huge temple for Lord Shiva. Brihadeeswarar Temple is first among all buildings, which make use of granite fully and it finished within five years from 1004 AD to 1009 AD.The greatest of Chola emperors Rajaraja-I (985 A.D – 1012 A.D) the son of Sundara Chola (Parantaka-II) and Vanavan mahadevi built this magnificent temple named Brihadeeswarar ​at Thanjavur – the capital of Chola dynasty.From the Epigraphical evidence it is known about Rajaraja-I started building this temple on his 19th year and completed on 275th day of his 25th year. It took just 6 years to complete this work on 1010 A.D.

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In southeast India, in the city of in In southeast India, in the state of Tamil Nadu, in the city of Thanjavur , sits a massive temple spotted easily from even a mile or two away.The Brihadisvara Temple was built under Raja Raja Chola.A vision for the temple came to him in a dream while visiting Ceylon (Sri Lanka), and he ordered it built in honor of his reign, which was seen as a victorious one needing a grand temple to match the large size of the empire. At 216 feet at its highest point and carved completely of granite, it took 12 years to complete. It was finished in 1011 AD and is dedicated to Shiva.Brihadisvara Temple is part of a group of Chola-era temples designated as a World Heritage Site.Historians and archaeologists have long wondered how exactly the temple was built. There’s no granite to be found anywhere nearby–not for at least 50 miles. Yet the temple is formed of 130,000 tons of it, often huge giant pieces of it that would be impossible for any human to move. There is no binding material, only interlocking stone–something never found in tall buildings today. Plus, it’s intricately carved, which is a difficult feat considering granite is such hard rock. Finally, there is a huge nandhi (the gate guardian of Shiva, resembling a bull) in front of the temple carved out of only one piece of stone.

# data[].attributes.subject
In southeast India, in the city of in In southeast India, in the state of Tamil Nadu, in the city of Thanjavur , sits a massive temple spotted easily from even a mile or two away.The Brihadisvara Temple was built under Raja Raja Chola.A vision for the temple came to him in a dream while visiting Ceylon (Sri Lanka), and he ordered it built in honor of his reign, which was seen as a victorious one needing a grand temple to match the large size of the empire. At 216 feet at its highest point and carved completely of granite, it took 12 years to complete. It was finished in 1011 AD and is dedicated to Shiva.Brihadisvara Temple is part of a group of Chola-era temples designated as a World Heritage Site.Historians and archaeologists have long wondered how exactly the temple was built. There’s no granite to be found anywhere nearby–not for at least 50 miles. Yet the temple is formed of 130,000 tons of it, often huge giant pieces of it that would be impossible for any human to move. There is no binding material, only interlocking stone–something never found in tall buildings today. Plus, it’s intricately carved, which is a difficult feat considering granite is such hard rock. Finally, there is a huge nandhi (the gate guardian of Shiva, resembling a bull) in front of the temple carved out of only one piece of stone.

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Peruvudaiyar locally known as Thanjai Periya Kovil, also called as Brihadishwara Temple. It is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in the South bank of Kavery river in Thanjavur. It is one of the largest South Indian Temples. It is called as Dakshina Meru. It is built by Raja Raja Chola 1 between 1003 and 1010 AD.

The temple is built completely with Granite. The Gopuram is 216ft representing the uyirmei eluthukkal in Tamil. The Lingam is 12ft representing the uyir eluthukkal. The Yoni is 18ft representing the mei eluthukkal.

The Gopuram weighs 80 tonnes. The huge Nandi in the front of the temple is made of a single rock. There are beautiful sculptures depicting 81 of the 108 poses in Bharathnatyam. The shadow of the Gopuram never falls down at noon in any season.

This amazing temple is 1000 years old and has survived extremities of weather, 6 major recorded earthquakes and a major fire accident.

This temple was built not only for religious purpose but also as a social institution.

By Anirudh.S

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Nataraja, states James Lochtefeld, symbolizes "the connection between religion and the arts", and it represents Shiva as the lord of dance, encompassing all "creation, destruction and all things in between". 

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Nataraja, states James Lochtefeld, symbolizes "the connection between religion and the arts", and it represents Shiva as the lord of dance, encompassing all "creation, destruction and all things in between". 

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By KANISHKA SRI .M

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The temple has the world's tallest vimanam (temple tower) and its Kumbam (the structure on the top) weighs approximately 80 tons. The temple has a huge statue of Nandi (sacred bull) at the entrance. The statue is carved out of a single rock and weighs around 20 tons. The Lingam inside the temple is 3.7 meters tall.

- HEMENTH. V
from Cass 6C...

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The temple has a massive colonnaded prakara (corridor) and one of the largest Shiva lingas in India. It is also famed for the quality of its sculpture, as well as being the location that commissioned the brass Nataraja – Shiva as the lord of dance, in 11th century.

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Explore and collect some interesting information about the Tanjore Big Temple.

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Explore and collect some interesting information about the Tanjore Big Temple.

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Built in the year 1010 CE by Raja Raja Chola in Thanjavur, the temple is popularly known as the Big Temple. It turned 1000 years old in September 2010. To celebrate the 1000th year of the grand structure, the state government and the town held many cultural events.

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Built in the year 1010 CE by Raja Raja Chola in Thanjavur, the temple is popularly known as the Big Temple. It turned 1000 years old in September 2010. To celebrate the 1000th year of the grand structure, the state government and the town held many cultural events.

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By sathvik adithya B. A