Brihadeeswarar Temple, Thanjavur
Brihadisvara Temple · Thanjavur Big Temple · Periya Kovil
Chola 1003–1010 CE·Hindu (Shaiva, Tamil Chola)·🇮🇳 Tamil Nadu, India
Wikipedia contributors · CC (see file page)
About
About Brihadeeswarar Temple, Thanjavur
Largest Chola imperial temple (1003–1010 CE) by Rajaraja I: 66 m Dravida vimana (still tallest historic), 80-tonne capstone lifted by 6 km earthen ramp legend, massive 25-ton nandi monolith, frescoes in circumambulatory revealing Chola court. Granite temple where no granite locally exists – transported. One of Three Great Living Chola Temples UNESCO.
Why it mattersApex of Dravidian temple architecture; demonstration of Chola state logistics
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 016-km ramp capstone lifting tale engineering true vs myth
- 02Granite sourcing 50 km logistics
Theories
- 01Chola imperial Dravida perfection thesis
- 02Tamil bhakti Shaiva royal patronage
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- 1003–1010 CE inscription Rajaraja I
- Period
- Chola 1003–1010 CE
- Culture
- Hindu (Shaiva, Tamil Chola)
- Purpose
- Imperial shrine, Chola legitimation; Living Temple UNESCO
- Excavation
- Excavation ongoing
1003
Foundation Rajaraja I
1011
Brahadeeswarar Kumbhabhishekam
2010
Millennium celebration
On the ground
Structures & features
10.7828° N · 79.1317° E · 60 m · 3 mapped features
- Main Vimana (Periya Kovil)vimana66 m 13-storey granite tower with monolithic cupola10.7828° N · 79.1316° E
- Nandi Monolithsculpture6 m monolithic Nandi bull facing shrine, 25 tons10.7822° N · 79.1318° E
- Fresco CorridorgalleryCircumambulatory with Chola frescoes and audit inscriptions10.7829° N · 79.1317° E
Gallery