Brihadeeswara Temple

The Brihadeeswara Temple in Thanjavur (Tanjore) is a masterpiece of South Indian architecture and one of the greatest temples in India, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the crowning achievement of the mighty Chola dynasty. Built entirely of granite over a thousand years ago and dedicated to Lord Shiva, it's astonishing in scale and precision: its towering 'vimana' (temple tower) rises around 66 metres, one of the tallest of its kind, capped by an enormous single carved stone. Guarding the sanctum is one of India's largest Nandi (sacred bull) statues, carved from a single block. The whole complex, with its vast courtyard, intricate carvings, frescoes, and inscriptions, is a breathtaking testament to Chola engineering and artistry.

It remains an active temple as well as an archaeological wonder. One of the 'Great Living Chola Temples,' it's an essential stop for anyone interested in India's heritage. Remove your shoes, dress modestly, and allow a couple of hours to take in the scale and detail. Early morning and late afternoon light are especially beautiful on the granite.

Don't miss

• The towering ~66m granite vimana tower
• One of India's largest single-stone Nandi statues
• Over a thousand years of Chola artistry
• Intricate carvings, frescoes, and inscriptions
• A UNESCO World Heritage Great Living Chola Temple

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Know before you go

• Remove your shoes and dress modestly, it's an active temple.
• The entire structure is granite, remarkable for its age and scale.
• Don't miss the giant single-stone Nandi bull.
• Morning and late-afternoon light is loveliest on the stone.

A bit of history

Completed around 1010 AD by the Chola emperor Raja Raja I, the Brihadeeswara (or Peruvudaiyar) Temple was built to glorify Shiva and Chola power. Constructed from enormous granite blocks (none quarried locally), it stood as the tallest structure of its time and is inscribed by UNESCO among the Great Living Chola Temples.