Brihadeshwara Temple (locally known as Tanjai Periya Kovil) is a Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva located in Thanjavur in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is also known as Raja Rajeswara TempleRajarajeswaram and Brihadeshwara Temple.[1] It is one of the largest temples in India and is an example of Tamil architecture during the Chola period.[2] Built by Raja Raja Chola I and completed in 1010 CE, the temple turned 1000 years old in 2010.
The temple stands amidst fortified walls that were probably added in the 16th century. The vimanam (temple tower) is 100 ft (30 m) high and is the tallest in the world. The Kumbam (the apex or the bulbous structure on the top) weighs around 80 tons. How did Cholas lift 80 tons of Granite to a 216-foot tower (Gopuram) at the Tanjore Brihadeeswarar Temple is still unsolved. The temple is said to be made up of about 60,000 tons of granite. The capstone itself is made of four pieces of granite and weighs about 20 tons., on top of the main gopuram is believed to have been taken to the top by creating an inclined slope to the height of 66m to the top of the gopuram.
Photo Source: Collected from Internet
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| 80 tons Granite Tower |
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| Pagoda at Tanjore, India (1847) |
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| Statue of Rajaraja Chola Chola I who consecrated the temple |
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