Who built Brihadeeswara Temple and when?

Brihadeeswara Temple was built by the Chola emperor Rajaraja Chola I between 1003 and 1010 CE. It was consecrated in the 25th year of his reign.

Why is Brihadeeswara Temple famous?

It is famous as a UNESCO World Heritage Site representing the pinnacle of Chola architecture. Its 63.4-metre vimana is one of the tallest in South India, and the entire granite structure is an engineering marvel of the 11th century.

Is there an entry fee for Brihadeeswara Temple?

There is no entry fee for Indian citizens for the temple area. ASI charges a nominal fee for foreign nationals. Photography fees may apply for cameras.

How to reach Brihadeeswara Temple from Chennai?

From Chennai, you can drive (350 km, 6-7 hours via NH), take a train to Thanjavur Junction, or fly to Tiruchirappalli Airport (55 km from Thanjavur) and take a taxi.

What is special about the shadow of Brihadeeswara Temple?

It is popularly claimed that the main vimana does not cast a shadow on the ground at noon. While this is a widely repeated claim, it is architecturally related to the steep angle of the tower structure.

How was the 80-tonne capstone placed at the top of the vimana?

The massive capstone at the summit of the 63.4-metre vimana is believed to have been transported using a 6 km long inclined ramp. The exact engineering method remains a subject of study and admiration.

Who built Brihadeeswara Temple and when?

Brihadeeswara Temple was built by the Chola emperor Rajaraja Chola I between 1003 and 1010 CE. It was consecrated in the 25th year of his reign.

Why is Brihadeeswara Temple famous?

It is famous as a UNESCO World Heritage Site representing the pinnacle of Chola architecture. Its 63.4-metre vimana is one of the tallest in South India, and the entire granite structure is an engineering marvel of the 11th century.

Is there an entry fee for Brihadeeswara Temple?

There is no entry fee for Indian citizens for the temple area. ASI charges a nominal fee for foreign nationals. Photography fees may apply for cameras.

How to reach Brihadeeswara Temple from Chennai?

From Chennai, you can drive (350 km, 6-7 hours via NH), take a train to Thanjavur Junction, or fly to Tiruchirappalli Airport (55 km from Thanjavur) and take a taxi.

What is special about the shadow of Brihadeeswara Temple?

It is popularly claimed that the main vimana does not cast a shadow on the ground at noon. While this is a widely repeated claim, it is architecturally related to the steep angle of the tower structure.

How was the 80-tonne capstone placed at the top of the vimana?

The massive capstone at the summit of the 63.4-metre vimana is believed to have been transported using a 6 km long inclined ramp. The exact engineering method remains a subject of study and admiration.

Brihadeeswara Temple, Thanjavur - UNESCO Heritage Guide

Brihadeeswara Temple, also known as Peruvudaiyar Kovil and the Big Temple, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu. Built between 1003 and 1010 CE by the great Chola emperor Rajaraja Chola I, it is regarded as the pinnacle of Chola temple architecture. The temple's vimana (tower above the sanctum) rises to 63.4 metres, making it one of the tallest temple towers in South India. The entire structure is built from granite, an extraordinary feat given the absence of granite quarries in the immediate vicinity. The sanctum houses a massive Shiva Linga, and a monolithic Nandi carved from a single granite block weighing approximately 25 tonnes sits in the temple's courtyard. The temple is part of the Great Living Chola Temples group designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987.

Darshan Guide

Enter Through the Gopurams

Enter the temple complex through the two successive gopurams (gateway towers). The outer gopuram is shorter than the main vimana — an intentional Chola architectural feature.

Visit the Nandi Mandapam

Pay respects at the massive 25-tonne monolithic Nandi (sacred bull) carved from a single granite block, seated in the mandapam facing the main sanctum.

Darshan at the Main Sanctum

Proceed to the main sanctum to worship the enormous Shiva Linga housed beneath the towering 63.4-metre vimana. The sanctum corridor has beautiful Chola-era frescoes and inscriptions.

Circumambulate the Temple

Walk around the inner prakaram (corridor) to see the 108 Shiva Linga niches, Chola bronze figures, and exquisite stone carvings on the outer walls depicting various deities and dancers.

Explore the Inscriptions and Frescoes

Study the detailed stone inscriptions by Rajaraja Chola I on the temple walls documenting gifts and the temple's construction. View the rare Chola and Nayak period frescoes in the circumambulatory passage.

Temple Rules & Guidelines

Visitor Tips

Visit early morning for the best light for photography — the granite structure glows golden in the morning sun
Spend at least 2 hours to properly appreciate the architecture, sculptures, inscriptions, and frescoes
Hire a local guide to understand the architectural significance and Chola history — available at the entrance
Wear comfortable shoes that are easy to remove — you need to walk barefoot inside the temple
Photography is allowed in the outer areas but not inside the main sanctum
Combine your visit with the Thanjavur Royal Palace and Saraswathi Mahal Library nearby

Mistakes to Avoid

Do not rush through the visit — this is not just a temple but a masterpiece of architecture deserving careful observation
Do not miss the frescoes in the inner circumambulatory passage — they are among the rarest surviving Chola paintings
Do not visit only the main sanctum — the subsidiary shrines, inscriptions, and outer wall carvings are equally remarkable
Do not visit during midday in summer — the granite floor becomes extremely hot for barefoot walking

Please follow these guidelines to maintain the sanctity of the temple

How to Reach

By Bus

Regular Tamil Nadu State Transport (TNSTC) buses from Chennai (350 km, 6-7 hours), Tiruchirappalli (55 km, 1.5 hours), and Madurai (190 km, 4 hours). The main bus stand is 2 km from the temple.

By Air

Tiruchirappalli International Airport (55 km). Taxis available from the airport to Thanjavur, taking about 1 hour.

By Rail

Thanjavur Junction Railway Station (2 km) has trains from Chennai, Tiruchirappalli, Madurai, and other Tamil Nadu cities.

Local Transport

Auto-rickshaws, city buses, and taxis easily available within Thanjavur. The temple is centrally located and walkable from most hotels.

Nearby Attractions

Thanjavur Royal Palace

1.5 km

The Maratha-era palace complex housing the Art Gallery with Chola bronzes and the famous Saraswathi Mahal Library.

Saraswathi Mahal Library

1.5 km

One of the oldest libraries in Asia, housing over 60,000 manuscripts and rare books in Tamil, Sanskrit, and European languages.

Gangaikonda Cholapuram

70 km

Another UNESCO World Heritage Chola temple built by Rajendra Chola I. Similar in design to Brihadeeswara but with distinctive sculptural variations.

Airavatesvara Temple

40 km

The third temple in the Great Living Chola Temples UNESCO group, located in Darasuram. Known for its intricate stone carvings and musical steps.

Thanjavur Art Gallery

1.5 km

Located within the Royal Palace, it houses an exceptional collection of Chola bronze statues including the iconic Nataraja figures.

Brihadeeswara Temple

Explore More Temples

Arunachaleswarar Temple

About Brihadeeswara Temple

Darshan Timings

Darshan Guide

Enter Through the Gopurams

Visit the Nandi Mandapam

Darshan at the Main Sanctum

Circumambulate the Temple

Explore the Inscriptions and Frescoes

Temple Rules & Guidelines

Visitor Tips

Mistakes to Avoid

Location & Directions

How to Reach

Photo Gallery

About the Main God

Lord Shiva

Nearby Attractions

Nearby Heritage Sites

Great Living Chola Temples

Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram

Frequently Asked Questions

Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga Temple

Dharmasthala Manjunatha Temple

Grishneshwar Temple (Ghrishneshwar)

Nearby Heritage Sites

Great Living Chola Temples

Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram