Brihadeeswara Temple is located on the bank of the Cauvery River in Thanjavur district, Tamil Nadu. The temple was built by Rajaraja Chola between 1003 and 1010 AD which is bestowed to Lord Shiva (the God Destruction). Brihadeeswara Temple is also known with many names such as Gangaikonda Cholapuram Temple, Airavatesvara Temple, RajaRajeswara Temple, Rajarajeswaram Temple. It got its name from the Sanskrit word of Brihat and Ishvara which means Big Shiva. The temple is one of the biggest and largest temples in India and also has been included on the list of the UNESCO World Heritage site. People say that this temple is so large that over 200 Taj Mahal can fir into its temple grounds. If you want to visit Taj mahal then remember the taj mahal agra timings in your mind. It is perfect example of Chola architecture. If you have a plan to visit Brihadeeswara Temple, you must read the post till the end and get wonderful facts and information which are associated with it.
The Brihadeeswara Temple is known for its Gopura, massive tower, sculptures, frescoes, inscriptions, and many more alluring things that can leave you stunned. With the passage of the time, it has lost its some of its old part. Earlier, it was surrounded by a moat but during the 16th century, it has been fortified by walls. The stone which was used to make the temple is granite; the vimana tower above the temple is known to be one of the tallest in south part of India. The well-decorated corridor in the temple is mesmerizing. In the sanctum and sanctorum of the temple, there is a massive Shiva Linga which is monolithic, it has also Nataraja statue which is dancing statue of Lord Shiva. Apart from these things, there are many other things to see in its premises, such as Murugan, Parvati, Nandi, Chandikeshwar, thiyagrarajar, Varahi, Parvati, Vinayagar, and others as well. All these things make this temple one of the most visited temples in Tamil Nadu. After visiting Brihadeeswara Temple, Taj Mahal in Agra will be your next destination to visit and for that you can book delhi to agra one day tour by car or its near by places and taj mahak is one of the Seven Wonders of the World built by Shah Jahan.
Engineering Of Brihadeeswara Temple:-
The temple made out of granite which was brought from the 50 KM to the site. Using the inclined plane, the heavy stone was uplifted. The temple is based on the chola architecture that is why it has Srivimana, ardhamandapa which is known as front pavilion, mahamandapa is known as assembly hall, mukhamandapa is known as community hall, and Nandimandapa which is located in front and made out of one piece of stone. The Vimana is one of the most fascinating things of the temple which is situated at a height of 200 feet. The art gallery of the temple is decorated with frescoes which belong to different time period like Nayaks, Chola. All these paintings depict the life of lord Shiva and other Hindu deities.
Best Time To Visit Brihadeeswara Temple:-
The best time to visit Brihadeeswara Temple starts from the months of October to march. At this time of the year, the climate remains pleasant and bearable for the travelers; its temperature remains between 20 and 30 degree Celsius. In case of traveling this part during the monsoon, be ready to face humidity that can make your trip unpleasant. The summer is a bit uncomfortable due to its whooping temperature; therefore, you are advised not to visit during these months.
How To Reach Brihadeeswara Temple:-
The Brihadeeswara does not have its own airport; therefore, there is no direct flight to reach here. Whereas Tiruchirapalli has airport from there one can catch taxis, buses, or trains. The nearest railway station is in Thanjavur which is well-connected to the major cities of the state or other part of India as well. If you want to travel by road, it is also an ideal way to reach there by hiring taxis or self-drive.