The official name of this temple is Rajarajeshwaram and is locally called Thanjai Periya Kovil. It is a Shaivite Hindu temple that was constructed during the rule of the Chola dynasty in a Chola architectural style, occupying the southern bank of the Cauvery River in Thanjavur city of Tamil Nadu. This temple holds the record of being one of the largest Hindu temples that beautifully depicts the architecture of Tamil Nadu. It is also called Dakshina Meru.
This temple was built under the supervision of Chola emperor Rajaraja I between 1003 and 1010 CE. Besides, the temple is a part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the “Great Living Chola Temples”, accompanied by the hola-era Gangaikonda Cholapuram temple and Airavatesvara temple which are at a distance of 70 km and 40 km from Brihadeshwara Temple.
Though this temple has garnered the attention of devotees as a Shaivite temple, it also has sculptures related to Vaishnavism and Shaktism. The temple has been subjected to damage and destruction many times in its history and some artwork is now missing. Many additional mandapam and monuments, thus, have been introduced in the premises that followed. The temple now stands amidst fortified walls that were added after the 16th century.
Granite was mainly used to build the vimana tower situated above the shrine which is considered to be one of the tallest in South India. This temple contains a large corridor and one of the largest Shiva lingas in India. The complex is also decorated with shrines for Nandi, Parvati, Murugan, Vinayagar, Sabhapati, Dakshinamurti, Chandikeshwar, Varahi, and others. This temple is one of the most visited temples in Tamil Nadu that remains overcrowded with devotees almost throughout the year.
