Tanjore Big Temple

The Brihadisvara Temple, also known as the Brihadeshwara Temple, is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in the city of Thanjavur in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It was built by the Chola king Rajaraja I in the 11th century AD and is considered to be one of the finest examples of Dravidian architecture.

The temple is famous for its towering vimana or gopuram (temple tower) that stands at a height of 216 feet, making it one of the tallest temple towers in India. The vimana is made of granite and is adorned with intricate carvings and sculptures depicting scenes from Hindu mythology.

The main deity of the temple is a lingam (symbol of Lord Shiva) known as Brihadisvara or Peruvudaiyar. The sanctum sanctorum of the temple also houses several other deities, including Nandi (the bull, vehicle of Lord Shiva) and a beautiful bronze statue of Lord Shiva in his dancing form, known as Nataraja.

The temple complex also includes several other smaller shrines and mandapams (pavilions) that are equally rich in architectural and sculptural details. The temple was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987 and is considered to be a masterpiece of South Indian temple architecture.

The Brihadisvara Temple was built during the reign of the Chola king Rajaraja I in the 11th century AD. Rajaraja I was a patron of the arts and a devout follower of Shaivism, the worship of Lord Shiva. He commissioned the temple as a symbol of his devotion to the deity and as a way of demonstrating the power and wealth of the Chola Empire.

The temple is built on a rectangular plot of land and is surrounded by a high wall. The main entrance to the temple is through a massive gopuram or tower that stands at a height of 66 meters (216 feet). The gopuram is adorned with intricate carvings and sculptures depicting scenes from Hindu mythology, and is considered to be one of the most magnificent temple towers in India.

The inner sanctum of the temple houses the main deity, a lingam (symbol of Lord Shiva) known as Brihadisvara or Peruvudaiyar. The sanctum sanctorum is located at the center of a large hall known as the mukha mandapam. The mukha mandapam is supported by 16 pillars, each of which is adorned with intricate carvings and sculptures.

The temple complex also includes several smaller shrines and mandapams that are equally rich in architectural and sculptural details. One of the most notable structures in the complex is the Nandi mandapam, which houses a large statue of Nandi, the bull, who is the vehicle of Lord Shiva. The statue of Nandi is carved out of a single block of granite and is considered to be one of the largest in India.

Another notable feature of the temple complex is the bronze statue of Lord Shiva in his dancing form, known as Nataraja. The statue is located in a small shrine in the mukha mandapam and is considered to be one of the finest examples of bronze casting in India. The statue depicts Lord Shiva in his cosmic dance, with one foot raised and the other resting on the back of a dwarf, who represents ignorance.

Overall, the Brihadisvara Temple is considered to be a masterpiece of South Indian temple architecture and is renowned for its rich sculptural and architectural details. It continues to be an important pilgrimage site for Hindus and a popular tourist destination.

The temple is a magnificent architectural construct that will never stop surprising anyone visiting the temple. Built using over 130,000 tons of granite, this fabulous structure shows the architectural prowess and affinity of the South Indian kings.