The religious state of Tamil Nadu invites many pilgrims and tourists to pay their visit to the old temple and heritage sites that speak of the religious, cultural and political antiquity of the Tamil state. While in this series, there is a popular heritage site built by a Chola king in his reign which has been declared as the World Heritage Site by UNESCO and is famous among the outsiders as Brihadeeswara Temple.
This one thousand years old temple represents the religious inclination of the kings of the Chola dynasty. Brihadeeswara Temple, also known as Peruvudaiyar temple and Rajarajeshwara temple is an ancient shrine based in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu. The blue-throated Lord Shiva is the main deity of this temple. In the main sanctum, a 9 feet tall shivlingam is placed which is worshipped in the name of Shiva. There is a structure of Nandi in front of the main shrine.
The temple attracts tourists and art lovers from all over the world. This is indeed one of the famous and most visited spots of the state as it has both historical and religious values associated with it.
The temple is set up in Dravidian style and is well embellished with fine intricate works that augmented the beauty of the abode. The pyramidical shaped spire of the temple seems like a crown closed by a pointed Shikhara. The main tower of the temple known as Vimana stands high, dominating the whole temple complex. The Vimana absorbs the first rays of sunlight as it is faced towards the East where the sunrises. The paintings on the walls of the temple building depict the various sights of three-eyed God.
The temple is given a royal touch like that of a fort. Unlike other South India temples, Brihadeeswara Temple has Vimana higher than its gopuram that reminds of the Western India temples. The temple has a rigid structure made of granite stones. Lord Shiva is worshipped in the temple in the popular lingam form with a huge figure of Nandi (the vehicle of Shiva) is settled in the front of it.
This famous South India Temple is important with both religious and historical point of view. The temple has three entrances out of which two are the main. The second and third entrances are important ones. The first one simply resembles as the entrance gate to a fort.
source: Fodors Travel Guide
It is not wrong to say that the Brihadeswara Temple belongs to the Chola dynasty. Though the temple has so many hands but to trace its foundation it goes back to the Chola period.
Originally, the temple got its structure during the 11th century when a Chola king was ruling the South of India. This heritage site was ordered to be built by Raja Raja Chola during his reign more than a thousand years ago. With the passage of time, this ancient site had undergone damage under the rule of many other conquerors like Delhi Sultans and Marathas. Again when the Hindu rulers took over the governance of the South part, the temple was restored by amending the structure, adding new shrines and replacing the faded paintings with murals. It was all about around the 16th-17th century.
Reaching the temple through is the easy way. Buses are available that drop directly to the site. The direct train is accessible to Thanjavur while airways only connect you up to Thiruchiralpalli.
Best Places to Visit in Dubai with Kids
02 Jul 2025India’s Finest Luxury Retreats: The Ultimate Hotel & Resort Collection
01 Jul 2025Taj Holidays’ Wildlife Retreats: Where Nature Roars and Luxury Whispers
30 Jun 202510 Indian Art Forms You Can Experience During Travel
29 Jun 202512 Most Beautiful Villages in India Worth Visiting
28 Jun 2025