Brihadeeswarar Temple – The Big Temple of Thanjavur
Thanjavoor Temple The Bragadeeshwarar Temple , commonly referred to as the Big Temple , is one of the most iconic and grand temples in South India. Located in Thanjavur , Tamil Nadu, it is dedicated to Lord Shiva , who is worshipped here in the form of Bragadeeshwarar or Peruvudaiyar . This architectural marvel was constructed in the early 11th century (around 1010 CE) by the great Chola emperor Raja Raja Chola I , and stands as a magnificent testimony to the prowess. Main Deity : The sanctum houses a massive Shiva Lingam , one of the largest in the world, made up of a single stone weighing 20 tons. Nandi (Vaahanam) : In front of the temple sits a gigantic Nandi (the bull vehicle of Shiva) , carved from a single block of black granite . Weighing approximately 25 tons , it is one of the largest monolithic Nandi statues in India. Temple Tower (Vimana) : The temple is crowned by an awe-inspiring tower that rises to a height of 65.8 meters (approximately ...