Amazing 1000 Years Old Big Temple of Thanjavur

Brahadeswarar Temple, better known as "Big Temple" is an architectural wonder. More than 1000 years ago Emperor Raja Raja Cholan built this great temple at Thanjavur.

His greatness and fame can still witness by the world by his masterwork the Brahadeswarar Temple in Thanjavur.

The temple survives to this day in its original splendor. It is a glorious haven of huge architecture, stone sculptures and wall paintings.

Each one who visited this temple admired the structural beauty. This Temple is one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites Of Tamil Nadu,

Grandest Temple in India.

The Big Temple of Thanjavur, planned by the Great Emperor Raja Raja Cholan and built by his master architects. By bad luck, the temple has gained repute within the state of Tamil Nadu.

But its extravagance is still not well known to the rest of the world. Encyclopedia Britannica calls the Tamil people as the greatest Temple builders in the world.

It describes the great Big Temple as the "grandest Temple in India". As you move toward the city of Thanjavur, you can see the temple from a distance.

The huge Temple with its supercilious tower, is an eye-catching object, striking and elegant. Its base measures eighty feet square and the tower raises fourteen stories to the height of two hundred feet.

The top stone is a huge monolith, with fine carving and weighing eighty tones. The courtyard is not covered over like many other temples in South India.

But are open to light and air, and within the confines is an open square six hundred feet by two hundred feet. Here is the gigantic stone bull Nandhi, fifteen feet long and twelve feet height, in a crouching stance.

It rests upon a podium which you can climb by twelve steps, and has over it a large covering supported by granite pillars. This bull consecrated to Lord Shiva, faces the Temple from the quadrilateral red sandstone building.

The enormous tower rising over the place of worship. Further on the left, but within the enclosed space, is another, but much a small shrine.

It is with beautiful engraved stone art, and covered passage enclose the court with common pictures of heroes. On the right side, within the court, is the temple of Lord Subramaniya.

It is one of the superb a piece of decorative architectures, found in entire India. The steps up to its entry supported by small carved elephants. Extraordinary human sculptures, sitting on or falling from their trunk

The Great Emperor Raja Raja, who came to the royal seat in 985AD. His son and successor is Rajendra I. Both Cholas, developed their empires by invading the peninsular part of India.

They also went, capturing the Maldives, Sri Lanka and portions of Malaysia. And going northwards in India to reach the river Ganga. Their Kingdom prospered.

Being Devotes of Lord Shiva, both Raja Raja as well as his son Rajendra praised Lord Shiva for their good fortune. By constructing magnificent temples with tall towers and glorious temple gateways.

Big Temple is the masterpiece of Chola architecture.

Brahadeswara Temple completed of 1000 years of the construction. It is one of the architectural marvels and world heritage sites.

The Big Temple, dream of the Emperor Rajaraja Chola, celebrated its millennium year in a grand manner in Thanjavur.

According to the Archaeology Survey of India (ASI) the construction of the temple started in 1006 AD. And completed in 1010 AD.

The Government of Tamil Nadu, well organized a five day social festivity from 22 to 26 September of 2010. Including thousands of artists to commemorate the millennium year celebration of a Big Temple.

A collection of thousand folk artists from Thanjavur participated in these events. The function held in the evenings from September 22 to 24..

Also Government released the special postage stamps, coins and currency notes. With the emblem of Big Temple for this occasion.