Southern India's Tamil Nadu region is home to the temple site of Thanjavur, also known as Tanjore or Tanjavur. The renowned Chola (Cola) monarch Rajaraja I held his capital in Thanjavur, and it was he who ordered the construction of the majestic Brihadishvara temple there in the early 11th century CE. Over the ages, numerous other temples and shrines were built, making Thanjavur one of the most significant and popular historical places in all of India. UNESCO has designated Thanjavur as a World Heritage Site.                 Brihadishvara Temple Known by another name, the Rajarajeshvara, after the king who erected it, the Brihadishvara (or Brhadisvara) temple was built between around 995 and 1025 CE with Chola war plunder and tribute from Sri Lanka. The Hindu deity Shiva was the object of the temple's devotion. At 63 meters, it is the highest temple structure in India. Entire complex is rectangular, about 140 x 75 meters, walled with regular inner niches. There are other smaller shrines as well as a colossal double gateway entrance (gopuras) inside the courtyard.                                   1)The temple doesn't cast a shadow​:        The apparent absence of shadows at the Brihadeeswara Temple is one of the most fascinating mysteries surrounding it. Visitors are amazed that the temple doesn't throw a shadow on the ground despite its enormous height. The clever placement of the stones in the temple's structure, which keeps a distinct shadow from forming, is credited with creating this optical illusion. Legend has it that King Raja Raja Chola asked the architect about the temple's stability once it was finished. "Even its shadow will not fall, Raja!" exclaimed Perunthachan, the architect.                                                 2)The Nandi statue :                           ​    Two magnificent monoliths are located within the temple complex. One of the biggest lingams in India, the enormous one weighs an incredible twenty tons. Furthermore, the enormous Nandi figure, which is carved from a single stone, guards the temple's entrance with majesty.               3)The 20-ton Lingam!:                              A massive stone representation of Lord Shiva's holy power, the lingam is located in the Brihadishwara Temple. It weights a whopping twenty tons and is constructed from a single block of stone. This places it among the largest lingams in India. Its striking size and weight are reasons for admiration in addition to its spiritual significance.                                   .                    4)The dome​:                                        The enormous dome of the Brihadeeswara Temple, which weighs an incredible 80 tons, is arguably its most perplexing feature. This architectural masterpiece defies gravity because it is made completely of granite and does not utilize any contemporary engineering equipment.                                                          5)81 Bharatanatyam carvings:​       The Brihadeeswara Temple's outside walls are decorated with elaborate sculptures that represent the "81 postures of Bharatanatyam," a traditional South Indian dance style. These magnificent statues honor Tamil Nadu's rich cultural legacy.        6)Only natural colours:                        Natural colors found in flowers, spices, and leaves are used to create the vivid paintings that cover the temple walls. The temple's aesthetic beauty and cultural value are enhanced by every application of these environmentally friendly colors 7)No binding agents used​:                     The Brihadeeswara Temple, in contrast to contemporary structures, is a monument to the mastery of ancient engineering. Surprisingly, it was built without the use of any binding chemicals, cement, or soil. Rather, the temple is a marvel of architecture since it is made of interlocking stones.