Brihadeeswarar Temple, Thanjavur

Brihadeeswarar Temple, Thanjavur — The Big Temple

A Thousand Years of Chola Grandeur

Built by Raja Raja Chola I in 1010 CE, the Brihadeeswarar Temple is a masterpiece of Chola Dravidian architecture and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its 216-foot vimana (tower) is one of the tallest of its kind, and the capstone alone weighs 80 tons — a feat of engineering that still puzzles modern architects.

Inscriptions as Historical Archive

The temple walls bear detailed inscriptions — a unique historical archive listing the names of 400 devadasis (temple dancers), musicians, priests, and temple staff. Copper plates record land grants and daily ritual procedures, giving us an unprecedented window into 11th-century temple administration.

The Shadow That Never Falls

The temple is famous for a remarkable astronomical alignment: the shadow of the vimana never falls on the ground at noon. This is achieved through precise calculations of the tower's curvature and the sun's path, demonstrating the advanced mathematical knowledge of Chola architects.

The Nandi

The monolithic Nandi (sacred bull) at the entrance weighs 25 tons and is carved from a single granite block. It faces the main shrine, perpetually gazing at Shiva.