The Tanjore Brihadeeshwara Temple or the Tanjore Periya Kovil must be mentioned in any study of Oriental architecture or history (Big Temple). Raja Raja Cholan and his sister Kundavai, both devoted followers of Lord Shiva, constructed this spectacular building. At the height of the Chola era, the King built it to demonstrate his strength and power. Here are some lesser-known facts about this Thanjavur Chola temple:

a) Rajarajeshwar was the deity's original name. The Marathas are responsible for calling it Brihadeeshwara or the Great Ishwara.

b) The main temple's structure is made completely of granite. It is estimated that more than 130,000 tonnes of stone were utilised in its construction.

c) A long-standing urban legend surrounding this temple claims that the main building's shadow never touches the earth. Scientists, however, have disproven notion.

d) The Nandi figure at the temple's entryway was sculpted from a single piece of stone.

e) The primary Vimanam, which rises to a height of around 200 feet, is frequently referred to as Dakshin Meru or Southern Meru.

f) Raja Raja Cholan was inspired to construct the temple during his visit to Sri Lanka as a consequence of a dream he experienced.

g) There is a picture of Raja Raja Cholan bowing to Lord Natarajar in the temple. Without a doubt, this is the very first royal portrait ever.

h) The temple's inscriptions identify Kunjara Mallan Raja Raja Perunthachan as its principal architect. His successors, known as Vastu Shastra practitioners, are still alive today.

i) Craved onto the rock are images of nartakis, or dancers, performing Bharata Natyam's eighty one of one hundred and eight karanas. These karanas are a subset of those stated in Bharata Muni's or Sage Bharata's Natya Shastra. There is proof that the temple served as a stage for gifted dancers to perform. These are the very first images of this kind.

j)The many types of diamonds worn at the time are also mentioned in the inscriptions. Details about each of these jewels are provided. These inscriptions list a total of 23 different species of pearls, eleven different kinds of diamonds, and rubies.

The lack of any granite quarries within a 100 km radius of the temple baffles historians. This indicates that moving these stones would have required superhuman effort. Raja Raja Cholan insisted on using these stones, though. This Chola temple in Tanjore is a masterpiece of the Chola era thanks to all of these characteristics.