The Brihadeeswarar Temple in Thanjavur, India is the world's first complete granite temple and an example of Chola architecture. It was built in 1010 AD by Raja Raja Chola I as a tribute to his power. The 216 foot tall temple tower is one of the tallest in the world and the entire structure is made of granite. It remains one of India's largest and most prized architectural sites.

1. Brihadeeswarar Temple
Thanjavur ,India.

2. • The Peruvudaiyar Koyil (Tamil: ெெரவைையார ோோாயில,
peruvuḍaiyār kōyil), also known as Brihadeeswarar Temple and
Rajarajeswaram, at Thanjavur in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, is the
world's first complete granite temple and a brilliant example of the
major heights achieved by Cholas kingdom Vishwakarmas in Tamil
architecture. It is a tribute and a reflection of the power of its patron
RajaRaja Chola I. It remains India's largest temple and is one of the
greatest glories of Indian architecture. 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. The temple
stands amidst fortified walls that were probably added in the 16th
century. The vimana — or the temple tower — is 216 ft (66 m) high and
is among the tallest of its kind in the world. The Kumbam (or Kalash or
Chikharam) (apex or the bulbous structure on the top) of the temple is
not carved out of a single stone as widely believed. There is a big statue
of Nandi (sacred bull), carved out of a single rock, at the entrance
measuring about 16 feet long and 13 feet high. The entire temple
structure is made out of hard granite stones, a material sparsely
available in Thanjavur area where the temple is. Built in 1010 AD by
Raja Raja Chola in Thanjavur, Brihadishwara Temple also popularly
known as the ‘Big Temple' turned 1000 years old in 2010.

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