Brihadeeswarar Temple, built by Raja Raja Cholan I (Arulmozhivarman) in the 10th century, is a Cholan architectural marvel. It is located in Tanjore, a 375 Km drive from Chennai via Trichy. Tanjore, the Rice Bowl of Tamilnadu, was the capital city of the Cholas during their reign. The temple has 3 entrances, one behind the another - Maratha Entrance, Keralantakan Tiruvasal & Rajarajan Tiruvasal to reach the main temple with the Nandi Mandapam (built by Vijayanagar kings), in front. The main temple has along side, Amman Shrine (built by the Pandiyas later during the 13th century), Ganesha Shrine (built by the Maratha rulers later) and other shrines including the Nataraja Mandapam. The Cholan king built the temple to glorify Lord Shiva, after a dream he had. The huge Nandi (Bull) overseeing the main temple was carved out of a single stone and the Kumbam on top of the Gopuram was made out of a single granite stone. The walls of the temple have numerous Bharathanattiyam dance poses of Lord Shiva and ancient Tamil inscriptions. A dream come true of the Cholan, is truely an ancient Dravidian wonder in the modern world.
Maratha Entrance
Keralantakan Tiruvasal
Rajarajan Tiruvasal
Lord Shiva - Dance Pose
Nandi Mandapam
Brihadeeswarar Temple
Brihadeeswarar Temple - Side View (Right)
Amman Shrine
Brihadeeswarar Temple - Side View (Left)
Brihadeeswarar Temple - Gopuram
Tamil inscriptions on the wall
Brihadeeswarar Temple - Side View (Left) with Ganesha Shrine & Tiruvasal
Rajarajan Tiruvasal - (Back view)
Saraboji Palace with Watch Tower (Saraboji, the Marathan ruler was the last known king of Tanjore)
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