Brihadiswara temple

Brihadisvara Temple Thanjavur

Location 

Brihadishvara temple, also called Rajarajeswaram or Peruvudaiyār Kōvil, is a Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva located in South bank of Kaveri 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. 

Speciality

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. 

One of the heritage monuments

Thanjavur is an important center of South Indian religion, art, and architecture. Most of the Great Living Chola Temples, which are UNESCO World Heritage Monuments, are located in and around Thanjavur. The foremost among these, the Brihadeeswara Temple, is located in the centre of the city.

Interesting fact

     Another interesting fact about its architecture is that the vimana (tower above the sanctum sanctorum) of the temple does not cast a shadow at noon! The temple is fully made of granite and has Chola frescoes on its walls, portraying various facets of Lord Shiva. 

 

Inscriptions‎: ‎Tamil, Sanskrit, Maratha

Area‎: ‎18.07 ha (44.7 acres)