temple with granite -The Brihadeeswarar Temple

The Brihadeeswarar Temple at Thanjavur in Tamil Nadu is the world's first complete granite temple which is reportedly built using about 1,30,000 tons of granite. 

The 1,000-year-old temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, houses 216 feet tall, 80-ton heavy vimana (tower).

The 1,000-year-old temple in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu is the world's first all-granite temple. 

The temple is dedicated to the dancing pose of Lord Shiva—Natraj and reflects the power and glory of Rajaraja Chola.

Around 60,000 tons of granite is said to be used to build the temple 

Who made Brihadeshwara Temple?

Kunjara Mallan Raja Raja Perunthachan

Thanjavur Temple History:

The Tanjore Big Temple is a stunning monument built by Raja Raja Cholan, greatest king of Chola Dynasty. 

It was constructed between the year AD 985 and 1014, completed around 1010 AD. ... Brihadeeswarar temple is one of the few temples that have Ashta-dikpalakas (dik – direction & palakas – ruler.

Brihadishvara Temple (originally known as Peruvudaiyar Kovil) locally known as Thanjai Periya Kovil, and also called Rajarajeswaram, is a Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva located in South bank of Cauvery river in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, India.

 the temple is a part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the "Great Living Chola Temples", along with the Chola dynasty era Gangaikonda Cholapuram temple and Airavatesvara temple that are about 70 kilometres (43 mi) and 40 kilometres (25 mi) to its northeast respectively 

The Brihadeswara Temple is located in the city of Thanjavur, about 350 kilometres  southwest of Chennai. 

The city is connected daily to other major cities by the network of Indian Railways, Tamil Nadu bus services

Nearest Railway Station to Brihadisvara Temple Thanjavur Tamil Nadu

Sr No. Station Name Distance

1 Thanjavur Junction Railway Station 1 Km

2 Mariammankovil Railway Station 5 Km

3 Alakkudi Railway Station 6 Km

4 Titte Railway Station 6 Km

Distance of some of the nearby cities from Thanjavur is as follows −

Thanjavur to Tiruchirapalli

By rail – 50km

By road – 59km

Thanjavur to Chennai

By rail – 326km

By road – 341km

Thanjavur to Madurai

By rail – 210km

By road – 195km

Thanjavur to Tuticorin

By rail – 334km to 365km (depends on the route taken by train)

By road – 333km

Thanjavur to Rameshwaram

By rail – 314km

By road – 237km

Thanjavur to Tirupati

By rail – 452km

By road – 414km

By Air

Thanjavur does not have airport but the nearest airport is Tiruchirapalli from where flights to Indian and foreign cities can be caught. People who arrive at Tiruchirapalli can hire a taxi or take a bus to reach Thanjavur.

Brihadeeswara Temple - Nearby Places

1- Gangaikonda Cholapuram

Rajendra Chola I, son and successor of Rajaraja Chola I, constructed Gangaikonda Cholapuram. Cholas controlled the whole southern India. Rajendra Chola founded the city in order to remember his victory over the rulers of Pala dynasty

Now this place exists as a village in Ariyalur district. He also constructed a temple having three storeys and a huge wall is constructed around it.

2-The Serfoji Saraswati Mahal Library

The Serfoji Saraswati Mahal Library is one of the oldest libraries of Asia. Tourists can find manuscripts written on palm leaves. The languages used in these manuscripts are Tamil, Hindi, Telugu, Marathi, English, and many others. This library was made by kings of Nayak dynasty who ruled from 1535 to 1675.

The library was developed by the Marathas after 1675 when they captured Thanjavur. Serfoji was one of the Marathas who learnt many languages and was also fond of art and literature. He played the main role in developing the library as Sanskrit literature from many parts of North India was gathered during his reign and for this he employed Pandits.

3- 

Tirunallar Saniswaran Temple

Tirunallar Saniswaran temple is located in Karaikal district where lord Shiva is the main deity to be worshipped. The deity is made by using Dharba grass. Another deity is Saniswar who is worshipped before reaching the sanctum of Lord Shiva.

4- Thanjavur Royal Palace

Thanjavur Royal Palace is situated inside the Vijayanagara fort and was the residence of Nayak rulers. Later on it came under the Marathas. Tourists can visit Nayak Hall Darbar hall, Serfoji’s Saraswati Mahal Library.

5- Vijayanagara Fort

Vijayanagara Fort was built by Vijaya Raghav who belonged to Nayak dynasty. Later on, Marathas completed the construction. Most part of the fort has now been ruined and tourists have permission to visit only a part of it.

The fort is around 2km away from the Brihadeeswara Temple. The fort is opened from 9:00am to 6:00pm on all days of the week.

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