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Brihadeeswarar Temple in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu is one of the famous temples in the area. Temple is also known as other names like Rajarajeswaram Temple or The Peruvudaiyar Koyil. Lord Shiva is worshiped here. This temple is said to be the first granite stone temple in the world (Temple built completely of granite stone). Temple is one of its kinds and is surrounded by walls and the tower of the temple is approximately 66 meters high. Temple was built around 1003 to 1010 and is a prized architectural site to visit. Thus the temple is more than a thousand years old.
You can guess the glory of the temple architecture from the fact that this temple is listed by UNESCO as one of its heritage site and is one of the tallest temples in the world. Temple is surrounded by a number of painted sculptures from outside and interior has a huge idol of Hindu god, lord Shiva.
Like all Shiva temples statue of Nandi (the bull of Lord Shiva) is also in the temple. The statue of Nandi is build out of a single rock and is 16X13 feet in dimensions. The vimana of the temples is built in such a way that it never casts is shadow on the ground during noon. Also the vimana is sixty feet tall and many times keep people wondering how this heavy structure was lifted and fixed at the top during that time.
Who built Brihadeeswarar Temple?
Temples was built by King Rajaraja Chola of the Chola dynasty. The architect Sama Varma designed this temple. It took around 12 years to build the temple. It’s believed that the wish to built such a huge temple came to the heart of king Raja Raja during his stay at Sri Lanka. Some other believes that the king once had a dream about the temple and then he later ordered building it.
And subsequent rulers following the king Rajaraja Chola also added to the enhancement of the temple. One important fact that I’d like to share about the temple is that point where the tower of the temple stands, according to Indian mythology represents center of the universe.
How to reach:
The place is well connected and one can reach by air, rail or road easily. One can get buses or taxi etc from nearby places like Trichy, Chennai, Coimbatore and many other major cities of the sate Tamil Nadu. Nearest railway station is Thanjavur Junction and one can reach by trains from cities like Madurai, Trichy, Chennai, Nagore, Tirunelveli etc. If yur prefer air travl then nearest airport you can land is Tiruchirapalli Airport which is at a distance of 65 kilometers from the temple.
Attractions:
* Every month the day of ruling star is treated as a festival day. Reason being ruling star symbolizes time of birth of Rajaraja
* Annual Festival: Celebrated during the month of May (Vaishaka month of Indian calendar) during this time the deity is bathed from water soaked with Champaka flower.
* Art Gallery
* The Saraswathi Mahal Library
* Nearby temples
For more information on temples in Tamil Nadu visit www.indiatemples.co.in
