About Brihadisvara Temple
Brihadisvara Temple, also known as Peruvudaiyar Kovil or the Big Temple, is an 11th-century Hindu temple located in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu. Built by Chola emperor Rajaraja I in 1010 CE and dedicated to Lord Shiva, it is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Great Living Chola Temples. Renowned for its massive granite vimana, monolithic Nandi, Dravidian architecture, and Chola frescoes, it remains an active place of worship and major cultural landmark.
Visitors guide
Visitors can expect a vast fortified temple complex entered through towering gopurams, with a large central courtyard dominated by the 216-foot vimana over the sanctum. The complex includes a massive monolithic Nandi statue, pillared halls, shrines, and detailed stone sculptures and frescoes. The surroundings are open and spacious with granite structures, lawns and pathways. Visitors can explore the main shrine, circumambulate the vimana, view inscriptions and artwork, and observe ongoing worship activities.
Key highlights
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UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of the Great Living Chola Temples
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216-foot (66m) granite vimana - one of the tallest temple towers in South India
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Monolithic Nandi statue measuring about 16 feet long and 13 feet high
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Exemplary Dravidian and Chola architecture built entirely of granite
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11th-century Chola frescoes, bronze sculptures and Tamil inscriptions
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Capstone weighing about 80 tons placed atop the vimana
History of Brihadisvara Temple
Built between 1003 and 1010 CE by Chola emperor Rajaraja I, the Brihadisvara Temple is a masterpiece of Chola architecture and engineering. Constructed entirely of granite, it commemorates the Chola empire's power and devotion to Lord Shiva. It is designated as part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site 'Great Living Chola Temples' along with Gangaikonda Cholapuram and Darasuram temples.
Culture & Context
Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the temple is an active place of worship and a major center of Tamil culture and Dravidian temple architecture. It showcases Chola art, sculpture, bronze casting, fresco painting and Tamil inscriptions, and remains an important pilgrimage site and symbol of Tamil heritage.