Brihadeeswarar Temple

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Coordinates: 10°47′N, 79°08′E

Peruvudaiyaar Koil [Peruvudiayaar Temple]
Image:Big Temple-Temple.jpg
Name:	Peruvudaiyaar Koil [Peruvudiayaar Temple]
Creator:	Raja Raja Chola
Date built:	11th century AD
Primary deity:	PERUVUDIAYAAR = Brihadeeswarar (Shiva)
Architecture:	South Indian, Kovil
Location:	Thanjavur

This temple is one of India's most prized architectural sites. It depicts the amazing and outstanding efforts of the Dravidians. The building that carries the main sanctum is known as the 'Periya Kovil'. This stands amidst fortified walls that were probably added in the 16th century. The 'Vimana' of the temple is about 70 meters and is among the tallest of its kind in the world. The 'Shikharam' (crown) of Brihadeswara temple is itself very large and heavy (81.25 tons) and has been carved out of a single stone.

The Brihadeeswarar temple (Tamil: பெருவுடையார் கோவில்; Peruvudaiyar Koil^[1][2]) is an ancient Hindu temple located at Thanjavur in the state of Tamil Nadu, India. The temple is dedicated to Shiva and dates to the Chola dynasty rule in the 11th century CE.

The temple is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site "Great Living Chola Temples".

Contents 1 History 2 Architecture 3 Picture Gallery 4 See also 5 References 6 External links

[edit] History

The temple was built by Chola king Rajaraja Chola I. Construction was completed in 1009-10 CE.

[edit] Architecture

This temple is a prime example of the Dravidian style of temple architecture The central temple known as the Periya Kovil (Big Temple) stands within a fort, whose walls were later additions built during the 16th century. The name periya kovil came from its original name "periya aavudayar kovil" (aavudayar being a local name of Lord Shiva). The vimana (main tower) of the temple is approximately 65 m (215 ft) high and is the tallest in the world.^{[citation needed]} It was so designed that the vimana never casts a shadow at noon during any period of the year and also the tower of this temple is build by single rock.^{[citation needed]}

More details on this temple can be found at http://www.templepages.com

[edit] Picture Gallery

Big Temple-Temple.jpg The Big Temple	ThanjavurBigTemple.jpg A rear view of the main gopura of the Big Temple	Big Temple-Temple Entrance.jpg Entrance to Dakshinamoorthi temple	Brihadeshwara back right.jpg View from the rear right
Brihadeeswara.jpg View from the front left	MainGopuram-BrihadisvaraTemple-Thanjavur,India.jpg Rajagopuram (main tower) of the temple	OrnamentedPillar-BrihadisvaraTemple-Thanjavur,India.jpg An ornamented pillar in the temple courtyard	Nandi-MainGopuram-BrihadisvaraTemple-Thanjavur,India.jpg The Nandi, with the [vimana] in the background
Nandi-CeilingFresco-BrihadisvaraTemple-Thanjavur,India.jpg Frescoes on the enclosure roof	Entrance of brihadeshwara temple.JPG Entrance to the Brihadeeswarar Temple	Big Temple-Gopuram Detail.jpg Detail of Gopuram	Big Temple-Smaller Temple.jpg The Shrine of Sri Subramanya
Big Temple-Smaller Temple Stairs.jpg Detail of steps of the Shrine of Sri Subramanya	Big Temple-Bronze Statue.jpg One of many bronze deities found in the pillared cloister surrounding the courtyard	Big Temple-Lingams.jpg Several of the Lingam found in the pillared cloister	Big Temple-Lingam Painting.jpg Example of the many frescos found in the pillared cloister
Big Temple-Bull.jpg Nandi, looking peaceful.

[edit] See also

• Shiva

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• UNESCO's World Heritage Site
• Panoramic 360 degree views of the Temple
• TLC: Mysteries of India: Lost South Indian Temples (via Google Video)
• Photographs of Brehadiswara and other South Indian Temples
• Article on Indian Murals
• [1]
• Brihadeeswarar Temple
• Photos of Thanjavur Periya Kovil
• Brihadeeswarar Temple travel guide from Wikitravel

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fr:Temple de Brihadesvara

hi:बृहदेश्वर मन्दिर ka:ბრიჰადეშვარას ტაძარი ml:ബൃഹദ്ദേശ്വര ക്ഷേത്രം new:बृहदेश्वर देगः simple:Brihadisvara Temple sr:Брихадесварар храм sv:Brihadisvaratemplet ta:தஞ்சைப் பெருவுடையார் கோயில்