Brihadeeswarar Temple Thanjavur
The Brihadeeswarar Temple, located in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, stands as a magnificent tribute to Lord Shiva. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the temple forms part of the celebrated “Great Living Chola Temples.” Popularly known as the Big Temple, it showcases the extraordinary architectural brilliance of the Chola era. Situated nearly 350 kilometres southwest of Chennai, the temple lies just about one kilometre from the old bus stand in Thanjavur, making it easily accessible for visitors. As a result, it remains one of the most visited heritage monuments in Tamil Nadu.
History of Brihadeeswarar Temple
King Raja Raja Chola I commissioned the Brihadeeswarar Temple, also known as Rajarajesvaram or Peruvudaiyar Koyil, during the 11th century. At that time, Thanjavur served as a prominent Chola capital, which the rulers transformed from a cluster of villages into a grand temple city. Builders completed the temple in 1010 AD and named it Rajarajesvaram in honor of its patron. However, following the later invasions by the Nayakas and Marathas, the temple came to be known as Brihadeeswarar Temple. The name “Brihadeeswara” originates from the Sanskrit words Brihat, meaning “great” or “lofty,” and Ishvara, meaning “Lord Shiva.” Together, the name signifies “The Great Lord Shiva,” perfectly reflecting the temple’s scale and spiritual grandeur.
Architectural Excellence of Brihadeeswarar Temple
A true architectural masterpiece, the Brihadeeswarar Temple displays advanced engineering techniques far ahead of its time. Although many Chola palaces have vanished over the centuries, this temple has stood strong for more than a thousand years, proving the unmatched craftsmanship of the Chola dynasty. One of the most remarkable features of the temple is its towering Vimana (Shikhara), which does not cast a shadow at noon. Moreover, the temple holds the distinction of being the world’s first complete granite structure, adorned with intricately carved details.
Interestingly, builders transported the massive granite blocks from distant locations, as no granite quarries exist near the temple. This achievement further highlights the advanced planning and execution of Chola engineers.
Structures In and Around the Temple
The temple complex follows a rectangular layout and stands on a raised man-made platform. It is bordered by a water-filled moat on two sides and the Grand Anaicut canal on the remaining side.
Visitors can enter the temple through two gateways. The primary entrance features a majestic five-storey gopuram, while a smaller free-standing gopuram provides direct access to the inner complex. Both gateways face east, aligning with traditional temple design principles.
The outer gateway, known as the Keralantakan Tiruvasal, bears the title of Raja Raja Chola. Beyond it lies the Rajarajan Tiruvasal, which opens into a vast courtyard housing the main shrine and surrounding structures.
Within the courtyard, the towering Vimana dominates the skyline, while several axially aligned sub-shrines surround the main temple. Additionally, a large pillared Pradakshina veranda encircles the courtyard, allowing devotees to perform circumambulation.
Main Components of the Temple Complex
The temple complex, measuring approximately 240 metres by 122 metres, consists of five major architectural sections.
- Sri Vimana – Rising to a height of 66 metres, the Vimana ranks among the tallest temple towers in the world. An octagonal capstone weighing nearly 81 tonnes crowns the structure, earning it the title “Dakshina Meru,” or the Southern Mount Meru.
- Nandi Mandapam – At the entrance stands a massive monolithic statue of Nandi, the sacred bull and vehicle of Lord Shiva. Measuring about 13 feet high and 16 feet long, this Nayaka-period sculpture faces the sanctum and rests within a richly pillared hall.
- Mukhamandapam – Positioned between the Nandi Mandapam and the sanctum, this hall once hosted musicians and dancers who performed rituals in service of Lord Shiva. Two impressive Dwarapalakas guard its entrance.
- Mahamandapam – The great assembly hall features six sculpted pillars on each side and massive stone Dwarapalakas. Steps connect this hall to the Mukhamandapam.
- Ardhamandapam – This structure serves as the transitional space linking the Mahamandapam with the sanctum.
Garba Griha (Sanctum Sanctorum)
At the heart of the courtyard lies the Garba Griha, also known as the Periya Kovil. It enshrines Lord Shiva in the form of a colossal stone Linga measuring about 29 feet in height, making it one of the largest monolithic Lingas in India.
Other Deities and Sculptures
The outer walls of the sanctum feature Koshtha Moorthigal, including Dakshinamurthy, Surya, Chandra, Agni, Yama, Varuna, Vayu, Kubera, Isana, and the Ashta Dikpalakas.
The ground-floor walls display exquisite sculptures arranged by direction.
- East Wall – Lingodbhava, Pashupata Murti, and two Dwarapalakas.
- South Wall – Ganesha, Vishnu with Sridevi and Bhudevi, Lakshmi, Bhikshatana, Virabhadra, Dakshinamurti, Kalantaka, Nataraja, and Dwarapalakas.
- West Wall – Harihara, Lingodbhava, Chandrashekhara with and without Prabhavali, and Dwarapalakas.
- North Wall – Ardhanarishvara, Gangadhara, Pashupata Murti, Shiva-Alingana Murti, Saraswati, Mahishasuramardini, Bhairava, and Dwarapalakas.
On the second floor, artisans depicted Lord Shiva in his Tripurantaka form, while above it rises the monumental granite Vimana.
Brihadeeswarar Temple Attractions
- The temple walls display stunning paintings from the Chola and Nayaka periods.
- Builders used more than 130,000 tonnes of granite to construct the temple.
- Ancient inscriptions in Tamil and Grantha scripts describe rituals, donations, temple administration, and the artisans involved.
- The carvings and murals portray themes from art, mythology, science, and culture of the Chola era.
- The temple appears in contemporary literary works such as Muvar Ula and Kalingathuparani.
- The Archaeological Survey of India maintains the temple as a protected heritage monument.
- Every year, the temple hosts a grand dance festival lasting over ten days during Mahashivaratri in February.
Temple Timings of Brihadeeswarar Temple
It’s very common to see devotees throng the temple in queues as early as 5:00 AM. Sundays are extremely crowded. Timing are as follows
- 5:30 AM to 12:00 PM and
- 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Brihadeeswarar Temple Pooja Timings
| Morning Pooja/Kala Sandhi | 8:30 AM |
| Mid Noon Pooja/Utchi Kalam | 12:00 Noon |
| Evening Pooja/Sayaratchai | 5:30 PM |
| Night Pooja/Artha Jamam | 8:30 PM |
Brihadeeswarar Temple Festivals
The major festivals observed in the temple are:
- Chitirai Brahotsavam, 18 days festival during the Tamil month of Chitirai (April-May)
- Shivarathri, in the Tamil month of Maasi (February)
- Navarathri, 9 days festival during the Tamil month of Purattasi (September-October)
- Aaruthra Darshanam, in the Tamil month of Marghali (December-January)
- Pradosham, once in every fortnight
- Girivalam, every full moon day (Pournami)
- Special Pooja during the days of Thiruvadhirai, Aadi pooram and Karthigai
- Sathabisha star day every month, which is said to be the birth star of King Rajaraja
Accommodation
Thanjavur is known to be one of the most popular religious and cultural hub in Tamil Nadu. The place offers accommodation facilities that suits every budget and preferences.
How to reach Brihadeeswarar Temple
Thanjavur can be easily accessible by road from nearby cities. Frequent government and private buses take you to Thanjavur throughout the day. Thanjavur is the nearest rail head and Trichy Airport (65 kilometres) is the nearest airport.
Epilogue
Being a very popular tourist location, the temple is swarmed by tourists throughout the year. Uncover the grandeur of this temple along with the various legends associated with it. The place is a virtual treat for lovers of photography to soak in the divinity preferably in the morning and evening. A perfect blend of religious atmosphere and sheer architectural splendor, Brihadeeswara temple is indeed a sight to behold.
Brihadeeswarar Temple, Thanjavur – FAQ
Where is Brihadeeswarar Temple located?
Brihadeeswarar Temple is located in Thanjavur city, Tamil Nadu, and is one of the most iconic temples in South India.
Who built Brihadeeswarar Temple?
The temple was built in 1010 CE by the great Chola emperor Raja Raja Chola I as a symbol of Chola architectural excellence.
Why is Brihadeeswarar Temple famous?
The temple is famous for its massive 66-meter-high vimana (tower), monolithic Nandi statue, intricate frescoes, and its UNESCO World Heritage status under the Great Living Chola Temples.
Is Brihadeeswarar Temple a UNESCO World Heritage Site?
Yes, it is recognized as part of the UNESCO-listed Great Living Chola Temples, highlighting its historical and architectural significance.
What is the best time to visit Brihadeeswarar Temple?
The best time to visit is from October to March when the weather is pleasant for sightseeing in Thanjavur.