Attractions Of Thanjavur: Sri Brahadeeswarar Temple

Sri Brahadeeswarar Temple 

Short Overview:

It is dedicated to Lord Shiva,the Brihadishwara Temple (or Brihadeeswara temple) built by Rajaraja Chola during the 11th century The Brihadishwara Temple, also known as the Big Temple, is one of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The temple is enclosed in two courts, surmounted by a lofty tower and including the exquisitely decorated shrine of Subrahmanya. Among the other historic buildings is the Vijayanagar fort, which contains a palace that was expanded by the Maratha king Serfoji II with an armoury, a Bell Tower and the Saraswathi Mahal Library, which contains over 30,000 Indian and European manuscripts written on palm leaf and paper.

Long Overview:

Brihadeeswarar Temple is a magnificent temple, situated in the Thanjavur district of Tamil Nadu. It dates back to the 11th century and was founded by the Chola King Rajaraja Chola I, The temple is considered to be an architectural wonder and is the perfect example of the expertise of the erstwhile Chola rulers, who once ruled over the peninsular India. One of the tallest temples of the world, Brihadeeswarar Temple is designed in such a way that the vimana never ever casts a shadow on the ground at noon, here is a tall sanctum tower (srivimana) inside its complex, along with splendid gopurams (elaborate gateways). A fully carved structure, Brihadeeshwarar Temple was designed by the chief architect of the Chola court, Sama Varma. 

It stands on a 29 m square base and rises to a height of somewhere around 65 m, Surrounding the Brihadeeswarar Temple is a huge compound, with walls that are over 15 m high, This construction took a period of twelve years, the king got it adorned with a 12.5 feet tall finial, which is made of 9.25 kg of copper and is plated with 800 gm of gold., The inner walls of the garbha griha illustrate 108 dance poses enacted by Lord Shiva. 

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