Thanjavur Brihadeeswara is one of the most ancient temple, located in the city of Thanjavur in Tamil Nadu, India. This architectural masterpiece has been designated has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Sites. On the tour o this temple, you will find two sets of people circumambulating the temple. One, ritually and the other, bustling around, trying to locate the shadow of the temple, which surprisingly never falls on the ground.
It a three hundred year old temple, presenting the finest example of the Dravidian style of architecture. The complex that houses the main sanctum is known as the 'Periya Kovil'. It is located amidst the fortified walls that were added to the building in the 16th century. The 'Vimana' of the temple is 70 meters, which is the only one of its kind in the world. The 'Shikharam' of Brihadeswara temple has been carved out of a single stone weighing around 81.25 tons. Just imagine they placed 80 ton rock atop this temple and that too without the crane.
All these are only few surprises of this temple. Like many other temples in Tamil Nadu, it takes hours to explore this temple. Built by Rajaraja Cholan, the Great Chola king, this temple is dedicated to Nandi mata - the Bull. The temple is built over 29 square base and is surrounded by moat on two sides and Grand Anaicut river on the other side. The walls of the complex are adorned by beautiful paintings belonging to the Chola and Nayak period. Among he other attractions of the palace are the Art Gallery, The Saraswathi Mahal Library and Sangitha Mahal.
The temple is also the venue of the annual festival that is celebrated here for the period of nine days in the month of Visaka according to the Hindu calendar.
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