The Brihadeshwara Temple in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu is an architectural marvel built between 984-1010 AD under the patronage of Raja Raja Chola. Constructed entirely of granite, it features a 216 foot tall tower and an 80 ton stone sculpture at its peak. The temple's intricate carvings, massive sculptures like the 20 ton Nandi bull, and perfectly engineered acoustics that prevent shadow from falling within the structure demonstrate the immense skill of Chola builders over 1000 years ago. As both a religious site and example of Chola cultural achievements, it is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

1. The architectural
excellence of
Tanjore
DONE BY: BHAVISHYA SHREE RAJESH
GRADE:8

2. Introduction of Tanjore temple
Thanjavur Brihadeshwara temple
or Thanjavur Periya Kovil is the symbol of
world heritage and culture of the Indian state
of Tamilnadu. This temple is dedicated to lord
shiva.it is also called as RajaRajeshwara
temple which is one of the largest temples in
India. Brihadeshwara temple shows
architecture excellence of greatest
emperor Raja Raja cholan between 984 AD to
1010 AD and This architecture reveals the
wealth and artistic expertise of Chola kingdom
which was completed in 1010 AD. It crossed
1000 years in 2010. It is one of the parts
of UNESCO world heritage sites as “Great
Living Chola Temple”.

3. Architecture Excellence of
Brihadeshwara Temple
This temple signifies the Tamilian
architectural knowledge. The stunning
monuments speaks about the Chola
kingdom’s architecture. This temple was
completely built by the granite stones.
The height of the temple is 66m(216
feet).it has world’s tallest Kumbum in the
top of the gopuram is 80 ton in weight. It
is hard to built 80 ton carved rock on the
top of the gopuram back in 11th century.

4. The boundary of the temple holds
lord Shiva as the main deity and it
appears as Lingam statue which is
3.7 meters tall. The entrance of the
temple has big Nandhi statue which
is carved out in a single rock and
weight around 20 tons.
This temple wall is most beautiful
and included with richest paintings. It
is one of the largest temples in India
also called “Big Temple”. Thanjavur
architecture is unbelievable construction
for many engineers, it shows Tamilnadu
heritage,

5. The most interesting and
unbelievable thing about this
temple is the shadow never falls
down at the noon and it has
musical pillars in the entrance of
the temple.
The Vimanam in the temple is
called as Dakshina meru and
southern meru.
Two Ganesha statue idols appear
at the entrance if you tapping them
you can feel the sound traveling
through the stone in one idol and
through metal in another idol

6. The statues on three sides hold Shiva,
Durga, Vishnu. Ganesha, Vishnu, and
his consorts Sridevi, Bhudevi,
Lakshmi then, Vishnu Anugraha murti,
Dakshinamurti, Kalanta and Nataraja
sculptures appear on the southern
wall of the temple.
The west side sculptures are
Harihara, Ardhanarishvara, a pair of
dvarapalas and two Chandrasekharas
and north side are sculptures
Adhanarisvara, Gangadhara, a pair of
dvarapalas, Virabhadra, Alingana
Chandrasekhara, Siva holding a Sula
(spear), a pair of dvarapalas,
Sarasvati, Mahishasuramardini and