Thanjai Periya Kovil, also known as Brihadeeswarar Temple or Peruvudaiyar Kovil, is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Thanjavur (Tanjai), Tamil Nadu, India. It was built by the Chola king Raja Raja Chola I in the 11th century AD and is considered one of the finest examples of Dravidian architecture.
The construction of the temple began in the year 1003 AD and was completed in 1010 AD. The temple was built to celebrate the Chola king’s military victories over the Chalukya dynasty, which ruled parts of southern India at the time.
The temple’s main attraction is the 216-feet-tall vimana, which is one of the tallest in India. The vimana is made of granite and is adorned with intricate carvings and sculptures depicting various Hindu deities and mythological stories.
The temple also has a large courtyard surrounded by smaller shrines dedicated to various deities. The most notable of these is the Nandi mandapa, which houses a giant Nandi bull statue carved out of a single stone.
Over the centuries, the temple has undergone several renovations and additions, including the addition of a large gopuram (gateway tower) in the 16th century by the Nayak kings. Despite these changes, the temple’s original structure and design have been preserved, and it continues to be a popular pilgrimage site for Hindus from all over the world.
