Brihadishvara Temple, also known as Thanjai Periya Kovil and Rajarajeswaram, is a Hindu temple in the Tamillian architectural style devoted to the god Shiva and is situated on the southern bank of the Cauvery River in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, India. It was once known as Peruvudaiyar Kovil.  One of the biggest Hindu temples, it serves as a model for Tamil architecture that has reached its full potential.  Dakshina Meru is the name of it (Meru of south).  The temple, along with the temples from the Chola dynasty's Gangaikonda Cholapuram and Airavatesvara, which are located about 70 kilometres (43 mi) and 40 kilometres (25 mi) to its northeast, respectively, are included in the UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the "Great Living Chola Temples." The temple was constructed between 1003 and 1010 CE by Chola emperor Rajaraja I. 

This 11th-century temple's original monuments were constructed around a moat. It had the gopura, the main temple's enormous tower, as well as carvings, frescoes, and inscriptions mostly relating to the Shaivism, Vaishnavism, and Shaktism schools of Hinduism. A historical harm to the temple resulted in the loss of certain artwork. In the centuries that followed, further mandapam and monuments were constructed. Fortified walls that were erected after the 16th century surround the temple today. 

One of the largest structures in South India, the vimana tower over the shrine was constructed from granite.

 The temple is home to one of India's biggest Shiva lingas and a colossal colonnaded prakara (corridor).

It is renowned for the calibre of its sculpture as well as for being the site where the bronze Nataraja, representing Shiva as the lord of dance, was commissioned in the eleventh century. Shrine to Nandi, Parvati, Kartikeya, Ganesha, Sabhapati, Dakshinamurti, Chandeshvara, Varahi, and Thiyagarajar of Thiruvarur are among those housed in the complex.  One of Tamil Nadu's most popular tourist destinations is the temple. From the fifth through the ninth century, under the control of the Chalukyas, as shown in Aihole, Badami, and Pattadakal, and later under the Pallava rule, as seen in Mamallapuram and other monuments, a spectrum of Hindu temple styles continued to evolve. Following that, from 850 to 1280, the Cholas arose as the leading dynasty. [2] [22] Early Chola era architecture was less important and more focused on maintaining their geopolitical borders. Within the Chola empire, elements like the multilayered columns with projecting square capitals first appeared in the eleventh century. According to George Michell, this marked the beginning of the new Chola style. [2] [note 1] In terms of scale and intricacy, the Brihadeshwara temple, which was constructed between 1003 and 1010 by CHOLA KING RAJARAJA