Brihadeeswarar Temple

A Millennium of Architectural Grandeur

The magnificent Brihadeeswarar Temple was built by Rajaraja Chola I of the Chola dynasty at Thanjavur, the capital of his kingdom in Tamil Nadu. Originally named Rajarajeswaram by the king, it is known today as Brihadeeswaram in Sanskrit and Peruvudaiyarkoli in Tamil.

Construction of this grand granite temple began in AD 1003–1004 and it was consecrated in AD 1009–1010. One of the most outstanding temples in South India, Brihadeeswarar Temple stands as a tribute to the Chola dynasty’s power, wealth, artistic brilliance, and engineering excellence. It represents the purest form of Dravida temple architecture, demonstrating extraordinary mathematical precision, symmetry, and mastery in architecture, sculpture, painting, and bronze casting.

Architectural Marvel

The temple complex occupies an expansive area measuring approximately 800 feet by 400 feet. The 64.8-meter-high tower (vimana) rising above the sanctum sanctorum is a remarkable testament to Chola engineering skill. The 13-tiered pyramid-shaped vimana, built on a square base, is crowned by a massive monolithic cupola carved from an 81.3-ton block of granite. This monumental stone is believed to have been raised to its summit using a 6-kilometre-long inclined plane — a feat of extraordinary ingenuity for its time.

Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the sanctum houses the towering “Mahalingam,” measuring about 4 meters in height. In front of the shrine stands a majestic monolithic Nandi, carved from a single rock, measuring 5.94 meters in length, 2.51 meters in breadth, and 3.66 meters in height.

Artistic and Cultural Significance

The temple is adorned with celebrated paintings by Chola, Nayak, and Maratha artists. The Chola frescoes dating back to around 1000 AD and the Nayak paintings of the 17th century can be seen along the walls of the central cell and the circumambulatory passage. Inscriptions within the temple provide a detailed inventory of numerous copper, silver, gold, and brass images gifted by Rajaraja, his family members, officers, and devotees.

Since 1946, the temple has been under the care of the Archaeological Survey of India and is maintained as a protected monument of national importance. Recognizing its unparalleled architectural excellence and cultural value, UNESCO has declared it a World Heritage Monument.

Commemorative Stamp

On the completion of 1000 years of its construction, India Post issued a commemorative postage stamp in honour of the Brihadeeswarar Temple. The stamp celebrates a millennium of this architectural masterpiece, symbolizing India’s rich cultural heritage and the enduring legacy of the Chola dynasty.