The Thanjavur Big Temple, also known as the Thanjavur Brihadeeswarar Temple, is one of the little-known architectural wonders of the world, still thrilling visitors after a millennium. The Thanjavur Temple contains countless marvels that will undoubtedly reposition itself on the list of world wonders in the near future. One of Tamil Nadu's most alluring tourist destinations, it educates visitors from various nations about the Chola Kingdom and their highly developed sense of architecture. The fact that the Thanjavur temple's vimana, or kalasam, will not cast a shadow on the ground, is the most unexpected aspect. The experts are still baffled as to why the shadow is not casting itself.

The greatest king of the Chola Dynasty, Raja Raja Cholan, constructed the magnificent Tanjore Big Temple. Between the years AD 985 and 1014, it was built, and it was finished around AD 1010. Popular names for the temple include the Big Temple, Rajarajesvaram Temple, and Peruvudaiyr Kvil Temple. It emphasises the Chola era's expertise of architecture. Because Raja Raja Cholan is a fervent follower of Lord Shiva, the Thanjavur temple is primarily devoted to him.The enormous temple was constructed to honour the Cholas' outstanding accomplishments in sculpture, painting, bronze casting, and building. One of the few temples with Ashta-dikpalakas (dik = direction, palakas = ruler) is Brihadeeswarar Temple. Dikpalakas, the directional ruler. The first fully constructed granite temple in the world, Brihadeeswarar Temple in Thanjavur, weighs more than 130,000 tonnes.

With a height of 212 feet, Thanjavur Temple is a 212-foot-tall Shiva temple and one of the nation's tallest Shiva Lingas. At the entrance is a massive Nandhi Shrine (holy bull), which is carved out of a single rock and is 16 feet long and 13 feet high. This is India's second-largest Nandhi. Being Shaivites, the Chola dynasty constructed the shrine especially for Lord Shiva.

The Rock:

Another stunning architectural feat is the Vimanam (temple tower) is 200 ft high and is the tallest in the world. The Kumba of the temple is carved out of a single rock and weighs around 80 tons & managed to hoist it up to a 212 feet tower back in the 11th century without heavy cranes and modern equipment. It shows the Engineering mastermind of king Raja Raja Cholan. It is hard to imagine but it is not the imagination but the unavoidable truth.

Conclusion :

One of South India's outstanding landmarks is the magnificent Thanjavur Temple. The Big Temple's construction and how it was erected without the use of any tools continue to intrigue modern architects. The Chola kingdom is over, yet the temple they erected still holds sway over the hearts of the populace thanks to its many enigmas and mysteries. While visiting the temple, the abundance of positivity will make you feel grateful and rejuvenated.