Brihadeeswarar Temple

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Coordinates: 10°47′N, 79°08′E

Peruvudaiyaar Koil [Peruvudiayaar Temple]

Name: Peruvudaiyaar Koil [Peruvudiayaar Temple]
Creator: Raja Raja Chola
Date built: 11th century AD
Primary deity: PERUVUDIAYAAR = Brihadeeswarar (Shiva)
Architecture: South Indian, Kovil
Location: Thanjavur

The Brihadeeswarar temple (Tamil: பெருவுடையார் கோவில்; Peruvudaiyar Koil[1][2]) is an ancient Hindu temple located at Thanjavur in the state of Tamil Nadu, India. The temple is dedicated to Shiva and dates to the Chola dynasty rule in the 11th century CE.

The temple is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site "Great Living Chola Temples". This temple is one of India's most prized architectural sites. It depicts the amazing and outstanding efforts of the ancient Tamil dynasities. The building that carries the main sanctum is known as the 'Periya Kovil'. This stands amidst fortified walls that were probably added in the 16th century. The 'Vimana' of the temple is about 70 meters and is among the tallest of its kind in the world. The 'Shikharam' (crown) of Brihadeswara temple is itself very large and heavy (81.25 tons) and has been carved out of a single stone.

Contents

[edit] History

The temple was built by Chola king Rajaraja Chola I. Construction was completed in 1009-10 CE. It was built in the Dravidian style and is the best example of Chola temple architecture.

[edit] Architecture

This temple is a prime example of the Dravidian style of temple architecture The central temple known as the Periya Kovil (Big Temple) stands within a fort, whose walls were later additions built during the 16th century. The name thanjai periya kovil came from its original name "thanjai periya aavudayar kovil" (aavudayar being a local name of Lord Shiva). The vimana (main tower) of the temple is approximately 65 m (215 ft) high and is the tallest in the world.[citation needed] It was so designed that the vimana never casts a shadow at noon during any period of the year and also the tower of this temple is build by single rock.[citation needed]

More details on this temple can be found at http://www.templepages.com

[edit] Picture Gallery

The Big Temple
A rear view of the main gopura of the Big Temple
Entrance to Dakshinamoorthi temple
View from the rear right
View from the front left
Rajagopuram (main tower) of the temple
An ornamented pillar in the temple courtyard
The Nandi, with the [vimana] in the background
Frescoes on the enclosure roof
Entrance to the Brihadeeswarar Temple
Detail of Gopuram
The Shrine of Sri Subramanya
Detail of steps of the Shrine of Sri Subramanya
One of many bronze deities found in the pillared cloister surrounding the courtyard
Several of the Lingam found in the pillared cloister
Example of the many frescos found in the pillared cloister

Nandi, looking peaceful.

[edit] See also

[edit] References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to:
  1. ^ Bragatheeswarar Temple, The Big Temple. thanjavur.com. Retrieved on 2007-09-29.
  2. ^ Brihadeeswarar is also spelled Brihadeshvara, Birhadeeshwara or Bragatheeswarar

[edit] External links

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