Hindu temple
Brihadeeswarar Temple
Also known as Thanjavur Big Temple, Peruvudaiyar Kovil, Rajarajeswaram.
In short
The Brihadeeswarar Temple in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, is a monumental Shiva temple built by the Chola emperor Rajaraja I around 1010 CE. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, its towering vimana and giant Nandi make it a masterpiece of Dravidian architecture.
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Key facts
- Presiding deity
- Shiva
- Significance
- A UNESCO 'Great Living Chola Temple' of Shiva
- Location
- Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu
Significance
Shiva is worshipped here as Brihadeeswara, the great lord, before one of the tallest temple towers (vimana) of its age, a colossal monolithic Nandi, and a giant lingam.
It is the crowning achievement of Chola art and engineering — a thousand years old and still in daily worship — grouped by UNESCO with the temples at Gangaikonda Cholapuram and Darasuram as the Great Living Chola Temples.
History
Completed around 1010 CE under Rajaraja Chola I, it was the grandest temple of its time, and is inscribed by UNESCO among the Great Living Chola Temples.
How to reach
In Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu; the nearest major hubs are Tiruchirappalli (airport and rail) and Thanjavur's own station.
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About Brihadeeswarar Temple
Who built the Brihadeeswarar Temple?
The Chola emperor Rajaraja I, who completed it around 1010 CE in Thanjavur as the grandest temple of its age.
Where is the Thanjavur Big Temple?
In Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu; the nearest major hub is Tiruchirappalli, with its airport and railway junction.
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