In Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, there is a Hindu temple called Brihadeshwara Temple (Peruvudaiyar Kovil), which is devoted to Shiva. It is also referred to as Rajarajesvaram, Raja Rajeswara Temple, and Periya Kovil. It is one of the biggest temples in India and a prime example of Chola-era Dravidian architecture. In 2010, the temple celebrated its 1000th anniversary. It was constructed by emperor Raja Raja Chola I and finished in 1010 AD. The temple is one of the three “Great Living Chola Temples”—the other two being the Brihadeeshwara Temple, Gangaikonda Cholapuram, and Airavatesvara Temple—that are recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Brihadeshwara Temple Architecture:
Surrounded by fortified walls, most likely added in the sixteenth century, is the temple. The world’s tallest thanjavur temple height is the vimanam, or temple tower, standing 216 feet (66 meters) tall. The Kumbam, or peak, is a single rock that weighs about 80 tons and is the largest feature of the temple. At the entrance is a large statue of Nandi, the sacred bull, carved out of a single rock that is roughly 16 feet (4.9 meters) long and 13 feet (4.0 meters) high. The closest granite sources are located roughly 60 km to the west of the temple, and the entire structure of the temple is composed of this stone. One of Tamil Nadu’s most popular tourist destinations is the temple.
Brihadeeswarar Temple History:
In 1002 CE, Arulmozhivarman, also known as Rajaraja Chola I, a Tamil emperor, laid the foundation for the Brihadeeswarar Temple. It was the first of Tamil Chola’s many outstanding construction projects. This temple’s design is governed by axial and symmetrical geometry. Temples from the same era and the two centuries that followed are manifestations of the wealth, artistic talent, and power of the Tamil Chola people. The advent of the then-new Chola style is indicated by the emergence of these kinds of features, such as multifaceted columns and projecting signals of square capitals.
It is an example of Dravida temple architecture in its authentic form and a symbol of the Tamil civilization of Southern India as well as the ideology of the Chola Empire. “Testifies to Chola’s brilliant achievements in architecture, painting, bronze casting, and sculpture” is the Brihadeeswarar Temple.
It is said that Emperor Rajaraja Cholan dreamed of building such a massive temple for Lord Shiva after visiting the Pallava Rajasimha Temples in Kanchipuram. The first structure to use granite entirely is the Brihadeeswarar Temple, which was completed in five years, between 1004 and 1009.
The magnificent temple is known as Brihadisvaram was constructed in Thanjavur, the capital of the Chola dynasty, by Rajaraja-I, the greatest of the Chola emperors (985–1012 A.D.), the son of Sundara Chola (Parantaka–II) and Vanavan mahadevi. According to the epigraphical evidence, Rajaraja I began construction on this temple in his 19th year and finished it on the 275th day of his 25th year. This work was finished in just 6 years in 1010 A.D.
As the last act of the temple’s consecration, Raja Raja Chola gave the vimana (dome) a gold-plated Kalasam (copper pot or finial) on the 275th day of his 25th year as king (1010 CE). The hub of the Chola Empire, Brihadeeswarar Temple drew scholars, musicians, artisans, and traders. In particular, it provided a stage for dancers who were exceptionally skilled in Sadir’s traditional dance style, now known as Bharatha Natyam.
As the Chola Empire waned, the Pandyas, who were then subjugated by the Vijayanagara Empire, drove them from power. The Tanjore Nayaks were a Nayak clan that ruled until the middle of the 17th century when they were installed as kings by the Vijayanagara king in 1535. Tanjore fell to the Marathas in 1674. Later, Thanjavur was taken over by the British, just like the rest of the nation.
The rise and fall of the city’s fortunes are chronicled in the inscriptions and frescoes on the walls of the Brihadeeswarar Temple. Shiva is portrayed as a massive stone lingam. There is a 216-foot-long vimanam covering this. Stones are bonded and notched without the use of mortar in their construction. The engineering marvel at the top stone weighs approximately eighty tons. Under Rajaraja-II’s name, this temple is called Rajarajesvaram, and the name Peruvudaiyarkovil (in Tamil) refers to the Linga form of the deity Shiva. The rulers of Maratta and Nayaka later built the temple’s gopurams and other shrines. Later on, during the Maratha era, when Sanskrit became more widely used, the temple was called Brihadisvaram in Sanskrit, and the deity was called Brihadisvara. It is now referred to as Thanjai Periyakovil or Tanjore Big Temple.
Rajaraja I, the Chola Dynasty’s king (r. 985–1014), built the Brihadisvara Temple in the southeast of Thanjavur, the new capital, in the Kaveri (Cauvery) River basin, sometime around 1010. In honour of the king, it has also been referred to as Rajarajesvara Temple. Along with the Rajendra-Cholisvara Temple, which his successor Rajendra I built in Gangaikondacholapuram, the next new capital, it is one of the two greatest temples from the Chola dynasty. Those buildings were magnificent national undertakings that demonstrated the Chola Empire’s dominance over south India.
The Brihadisvara Temple is said to have been built in just seven years. Its precincts are encircled by cloisters that span 120 by 240 meters. An expansive tank (reservoir) is situated outside of the walls, which are made of heavy brick.
Located in a line along the east-west axis are the Nandi Shrine, two uninterrupted large Mandapas (worship rooms), an antarala (antechamber), and a Vimana with a tall tower. The early phase Gopurams (temple gateways) at the eastern centre of the cloister and the brick wall are positioned on the same axis. These are the only points of entry into the temple complex.
Brihadeshwara Temple, Even with their sculptures, they appear considerably smaller than the later Gopurams of large south Indian temples because of the stark contrast in the height of the Vimana. The second Gopura in the cloister line is smaller than the first, measuring 24 meters in width and height. However, its sculptures are larger, featuring two Dvarapalas, or guardian figures, on either side of the doorway.
A row of Lingas, or phalluses, a Shiva symbol, surrounds the precincts in the cloisters, and pilgrims are delighted to see wall paintings from the Nayaka period on the back walls. Alongside the great temple at Gangaikonda cholapuram, this granite and brick Brihadeshwara Temple is the greatest example of the Dravidian (northern) style in terms of scale and perfection. Starting with the small temples at Mahabalipuram, the development of stone temples in the southern Indian style reached its pinnacle here. During the Chola Dynasty, it served as the model for temples that were constructed in Southeast Asia and south India.
However, the style of temples would drastically change in the 13th century, following the fall of the Chola Dynasty. Large Vimanas would no longer be constructed; instead, the temple precincts would be enlarged, encircling the temple in a series of folds, and containing only massive Gopurams on all four sides. The outer Gopurams would eventually rise to a height of more than 60 meters. The primary shrine’s gates and their height relationship would be opposite. The Brihadisvara Temple in Thanjavur is the best example of traditional South Indian temple architecture from this angle as well.
Brihadeshwara Temple Timings:
The temple will open at 6:00 a.m. and close at 12:30 p.m. As follows
On the evening of April 4th, the temple will reopen, and by April 8th, it will close.
Timings of Brihadeeswarar Temple’s Daily Pooja:
The following lists the daily pooja schedule and rituals of the Brihadeeswarar temple. The morning pooja for Lord Brihadeeswarar is scheduled to begin at 8:30 a.m., and the evening pooja and temple closure are scheduled for 8:30 p.m. Thanjavur big temple online booking is available in its official website
Palabhishekam will begin at 8:30 a.m.; Vucha Kalai Pooja will be performed for Lord Shiva by noon; and Arthajamam will begin at 8:30 p.m.
• There will be 30-45 minutes of Darshan available;
• An annual Abhishekam on Thai Masam;
• All varieties of rice will be served to Naivedyam.
How to Reach Thanjavur Temple Location?
To get to the temple, there are three possible routes.
By plane: To get to the temple via air Tiruchirapalli International Airport, which is located 61 km away
By rail: From Chennai, there is a direct train that goes to Thanjavur.
By road: The temple is 382 kilometres away from Chennai if you travel there by road.
The temple is an hour’s drive from Tirucahpalli. The most convenient route to the Brihadeshwara Temple is via Kumbakonam.
Visit the official website of Liturgical Temples to learn more about historical locations and temples. This website presents well-researched information gathered from reliable sources.