History:

is a 1000-year-old temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. Built by the Chola dynasty, it is situated in Thanjavur, TamilNadu. The temple is known for its grand architecture and sculptures. It is an active pilgrimage centre of considerable importance to the Hindus. It is a magnificent example of Chola architecture and is famous for its ‘vesara’ style of architecture which combines many different styles. The temple is a part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site along with Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram and is a declared a protected monument by the Archaeological Survey of India. It is one of the best temple in TamilNadu which you must visit.

Facts:

1. The Brihadeeswarar Temple, located in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, is a Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva and is one of the most important religious sites in South India. 2. It was built by the great Chola King Raja Raja Chola I in the early 11th century CE and is an outstanding example of Dravidian architecture. 3. The temple's inner sanctum is one of the tallest of its kind in the world, reaching 216 feet in height. 4. The main entrance to the temple features vimanam, a multi-storied tower, and a massive Nandi facing the main deity of Shiva. 5. The shrine of Peruvudaiyar Kovil, the most sacred shrine of the temple, is enclosed within an enclosure of walls and guarded by a giant artwork of elephant sculptures. 6. It is the only temple in India that has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its architectural grandeur and archaeological significance. 7. The temple is also known as the "Big Temple" due to its enormous size and is the only temple in the world that has a fully functional set of sculptures covering the outer wall of the shrine. 8. The temple has some of the most exquisite stone carvings in India, depicting scenes from Hindu mythology, including the Ramayana and & Mahabharata. 9. The complex is also home to a number of anonymous sculptures, which reflect diverse aspects of Hinduism. 10. The temple is still an active place of worship and welcomes millions of visitors every year. Here are some facts about the TamilNadu temple.These facts will help you understand why it is oldest temple list of the best temples in TamilNadu

Worship Method:

The Brihadeeswarar Temple, located in Thanjavur in Tamil Nadu, is a Vishnu temple that follows the traditional rituals and practices of Saivism. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is known as the ‘Greater Shiva Temple’. In addition to Maha Shanthi Pooja, Mahalaya Shrardham, Abhigamana Pooja, and Thirukalayana Pooja, the temple offers several other temple services. Some of these include special pujas for the eight major manifestations of Lord Shiva like Siddhara Lingam, Bhringaraya Lingam, Nuskara Lingam, and Madana Gopala Moorthi, among others. The Temple also conducts ‘Navagraha Pujas’ to duly respect nine planets according to Vedic cosmology. Apart from these, various other rituals and pujas are carried out in the temple in accordance with traditional Hindu rituals. This most visited temple in TamilNadu

Opening Timing:

The Brihadeeswarar Temple at Thanjavur in Tamil Nadu is open from 6:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM. top temples in TamilNadu

How to reach:

The Brihadeeswarar Temple in Thanjavur is located in the city of Thanjavur in the state of Tamil Nadu, India. The nearest airport to the temple is the Tiruchirapalli International Airport, which is located at a distance of around 55 km from Thanjavur. The nearest railway station to the temple is Thanjavur Junction (TJ) which is located just 4 km from the temple. The temple can be reached from the railway station by taking local buses, auto-rickshaws, or taxis. famous temples in TamilNadu