Why Tanjai’s Big Temple Deserves a Spot on Your Bucket List

Towering over the ancient city of Thanjavur, the Brihadeeswarar Temple—better known as the Big Temple—is a jaw-dropping wonder that has stood the test of time for over a millennium. Built in 1010 AD by the visionary Chola emperor Raja Raja Chola I, this architectural masterpiece boasts a 216-foot tower, crowned with a 200-ton granite dome, mysteriously placed without modern machinery

The Granite Mystery

The temple was constructed entirely out of granite, a material not naturally available within 100 kilometers of Thanjavur. How these massive granite blocks—some weighing up to 80 tons—were transported remains a historical mystery

The Shadowless Vimana

The 216-foot-tall vimana (tower above the sanctum) is one of the tallest in the world. What’s even more intriguing is that its shadow never falls on the ground at noon, a marvel of Chola engineering

The Crown Jewel

The apex of the vimana is topped with a single block of granite weighing around 80 tons. It is believed that a 6-kilometer-long inclined ramp was used to roll this massive stone into place—a testament to the ingenuity of ancient engineers.

Paintings Inside the Temple

While the Cholas are renowned for their sculptures, the Big Temple also houses rare frescoes depicting scenes from the Chola empire, including battles and daily life. These frescoes were centuries ahead of European Renaissance art in complexity.

The Dancing Shiva

The temple’s sanctum features a massive Nataraja (Dancing Shiva), showcasing Lord Shiva as the cosmic dancer. This symbolizes the cycle of creation, preservation, and destruction—a significant concept in Hindu philosophy.

Musical Pillars

The temple complex contains intricately carved pillars that produce distinct musical notes when tapped. These pillars are a testament to the Chola dynasty’s artistic and scientific expertise.

Inscriptions Galore

The walls of the temple are inscribed with over 600 Tamil inscriptions, detailing donations, rituals, and even the payroll for the temple dancers, musicians, and workers. These inscriptions provide a detailed account of life during the Chola period.

Gangaikonda's Twin Design

Raja Raja Chola’s successor and son, Rajendra Chola, constructed a similar temple in Gangaikonda Cholapuram. While impressive, it never reached the grandeur of the original Big Temple.

A Sacred Granite Bull

The temple features a massive Nandi (sacred bull) statue carved from a single piece of granite. Measuring about 16 feet long and 13 feet tall, it is one of the largest monolithic Nandi statues in India.

Earthquake-Proof Construction

The temple has stood tall for over a thousand years, surviving earthquakes, invasions, and natural calamities. The architectural design and interlocking techniques used ensured its structural integrity.

Temple without Binding Material

Remarkably, the massive stones used in the temple were interlocked without using cement or any binding material, yet it remains stable to this day.

Raja Raja Chola’s Dream

Legend says that Raja Raja Chola had a vision of Lord Shiva instructing him to build this temple. The king took this divine command as his life’s mission, ensuring it became the crowning jewel of Chola architecture.

Dance of the Devadasis

The temple had a vibrant cultural life. It employed over 400 temple dancers (devadasis) who performed sacred rituals and dances dedicated to the deity.

A Unique Curse

Folklore suggests that the temple was cursed after a specific ritual was improperly performed during its consecration. As a result, the Chola dynasty began to decline soon after its golden age.

Alignment with the Cosmos

The temple is designed to align perfectly with the cardinal directions. Additionally, the placement of the main deity ensures that sunlight illuminates the sanctum during specific times of the year.

The Thanjai Big Temple is not just a place of worship but a treasure trove of history, art, and engineering brilliance. It remains an eternal symbol of Tamil culture and Chola legacy.