UNESCO World Heritage
ASI Protected
Brihadisvara Temple
Also known as: Peruvudaiyar Kovil, Big Temple
Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu
11th Century CE
Built by Raja Raja Chola I, this temple is one of the largest and tallest temples in India. The vimana (tower) rises to 66 meters and is topped by a single granite stone weighing approximately 80 tons, placed without the aid of modern machinery.
Source: Aitihasik heritage database. Use this as a field guide and verify sensitive historical claims before citation.
Details
- Dynasty
- Chola
- Style
- Dravidian
- Primary Deity
- Shiva (Brihadisvara)
- Languages
- Tamil, Sanskrit
- Scripts
- Tamil, Grantha
Historical Significance
One of the Great Living Chola Temples. Engineering marvel of medieval India. Houses one of the largest Shiva lingams. Contains rare Chola-era frescoes
Architectural Features
80-ton capstone (Kumbam)Nandi statue (25 tons)Massive gopuramChola bronze collectionMural paintings