Brihadeeswara Temple

Brihadeeswara Temple is one of the most significant Hindu temples in India. It is located in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, and is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple is also called Peruvudaiyar Kovil or the Big Temple by locals. It was built around 1010 CE by Raja Raja Chola I, one of the most powerful rulers of the Chola dynasty. The Archaeological Survey of India and UNESCO both recognise this temple as a World Heritage Site, and it is part of the Great Living Chola Temples group.

The temple complex is located on the southern bank of the Grand Anicut Canal in Thanjavur city. It attracts visitors from across Tamil Nadu and from other states throughout the year. Devotees come here for Darshan of Lord Shiva, and history enthusiasts visit to study the Chola-era architecture and inscriptions. Many visitors prefer going early morning, when the sunlight falls beautifully on the tower and the temple is less crowded.

The vimana, or tower, above the sanctum sanctorum rises to about 66 meters. It is one of the tallest temple towers built during the medieval period in India. The large Nandi (sacred bull) statue at the temple entrance is cut from a single granite block and is a favorite spot for visitors to click pictures.

Quick Information

History of Brihadeeswara Temple:

Raja Raja Chola I ordered the construction of Brihadeeswara Temple in the late 10th century. The temple was completed and officially dedicated around 1010 CE. It was built during the peak of Chola power, when the ruling family controlled much of South India and parts of Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia. The construction shows an advanced level of engineering and artistic skill that was remarkable for its time.

The temple complex contains many inscriptions on its walls. These inscriptions record details about the donations made to the temple, the names of the devadasis who served here, and information about the Chola administration. Historians consider these inscriptions a valuable record of social and political life in medieval Tamil Nadu.

After the decline of the Chola dynasty, the temple came under the control of various rulers including the Vijayanagara kings and later the Nayakas of Thanjavur. Each ruler added their own contributions to the complex. In 1987, UNESCO declared it a World Heritage Site along with two other Chola temples — the Gangaikonda Cholapuram temple and the Airavatesvara Temple at Darasuram.

Why Brihadeeswara Temple is Famous?

Brihadeeswara Temple in Thanjavur is famous for its exceptional Chola-era construction and its status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The temple brings together monumental scale, detailed sculpture, and ancient inscriptions in a way that is not found at many other places in India.

• The 66-metre vimana is one of the tallest temple towers of the medieval period in India
• The large Nandi statue near the entrance is carved from a single granite rock
• Wall paintings and frescoes inside the temple date back to the Chola and Nayaka periods
• Thousands of Sanskrit and Tamil inscriptions cover the walls, providing historical records
• The temple is a living place of worship, with daily rituals and Aarti observed as per Agamic traditions
• It is part of the UNESCO-listed Great Living Chola Temples group

Brihadeeswara Temple Entry Fee:

Entry to Brihadeeswara Temple is free for all visitors. There is no ticket required to enter the main temple complex. The small museum within the complex may charge a nominal fee.

Brihadeeswara Temple Timings:

Brihadeeswara Temple is open every day from 6:30 am to 8:30 pm. There are no weekly closing days. The temple follows a schedule of six Darshan sessions (known as Kaala Poojas) throughout the day.

Please note: temple pooja timings can change due to festivals, special occasions, or seasonal adjustments, so it's best to verify the current schedule with the temple authorities before planning your visit.

Places to Visit Near Brihadeeswara Temple:

• Thanjavur Royal Palace – 2 km from the temple – The palace complex includes the Saraswathi Mahal Library, a museum, and the Brihadeeswara Art Gallery.
• Saraswathi Mahal Library – 2 km – One of the oldest libraries in Asia, with a collection of palm leaf manuscripts and rare books.
• Kumbakonam – 42 km – A town famous for its many temples and the Mahamakham tank. Worth a half-day trip from Thanjavur.
• Gangaikonda Cholapuram Temple – 70 km – Another UNESCO-listed Chola temple, built by Rajendra Chola I. It is part of the same World Heritage group as Brihadeeswarar.
• Chidambaram Nataraja Temple – 108 km – One of the most important Shaiva temples in Tamil Nadu, dedicated to Lord Nataraja (Shiva in his dancing form).
• Kumbakonam Temples – 40 km – The town has over 188 temples, including the Sarangapani Temple and the Kumbeswarar Temple.
• Airavatesvara Temple – 38 km – A UNESCO-listed Chola temple at Darasuram, known for its stone chariot structure and detailed carvings.
• Nageswara Swamy Temple – 41 km – An ancient Shiva temple in Kumbakonam, known for its Chola-era stone carvings.

If you are planning a Chola heritage circuit, you can combine a visit to Brihadeeswara Temple with the Gangaikonda Cholapuram Temple and the Chidambaram Nataraja Temple. These three temples together give you a complete picture of Chola-era temple building.