Brihadeswara Temple – An epitome of Chola Power and Grandeur

A Thousand Year Old Beauty

The Brihadeswara temple was built by King Raja Raja Chola I between 1004 and 1009 AD and consecrated in 1010 AD. This is the largest temple in India and was meant to be an expression Chola power and grandeur. The temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. (Pic credit: vishwaant)

Shiva's Abode

The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva  Pic Credit: Benjamín Preciado

Tallest Temple in India

It holds the twin distinctons of being the tallest as well as the only temple made completely out of granite in India. Interestingly, granite is not found anywhere near the vicinity of the temple so it remains a mystery as to how granite was transported to the area.The vimana (or temple tower) is 216 ft (66 m) high and is among the tallest of its kind in the world. (Pic credit: varunshiv)

Beauty Carved in Time

Carving granite is even more difficult a task and yet the temple has the most intricately carved designs and beautiful artistry.The temple has frescoes belonging to the Chola and Nayak periods. (Pic credit: Nireekshit)

Intricate Artistry

The temple complex is on the banks of a river and is surrounded by moats on two sides. The temple fostered a temple economy around which a town grew up. (Pic credit :varunshiv)

Dancing Divinities

The outer walls of the temple's upper storey is carved with 81 dance karanas - postures of the classical dance of Bharathanatyam. (Pic credit: varunshiv)

Nandi Bull

There is a statue of a Nandi bull at the entrance
made of a single stone and is about 2 m in height, 6 m in length and 2.5 m in width (Pic credit: varunshiv)

A Millennium of Grandeur

The 1000th year of the temple was celebrated in 2010 and a special commemorative 5 rupee coin released by the Reserve Bank of India. Earlier, a commemorative 1000 rupee note had been released in 1954 to honour the temple.