The Brihadeswara temple is one of the most antique and the most famous Hindu temple in the world. The temple is situated in the city of Thanjavur that is also known as Tanjore, in the Indian territory of Tamilnadu. Brihadeswara is the most well-known and a dazzling example of the Dravidian style temple architecture. The building that carries the main sanctum is known as the 'Periya Kovil'. This stands amidst fortified walls that were probably added in the 16th century.
The grand Tamil ruler, Rajaraja Chola I of the Chola empire, built the Brihadeswara temple. Later various additions were made in the temple but the most prominent one among these was the addition of a copper pot over the tower by King Rajaraja Chola II. The main deity that is worshiped in this temple is Lord Shiva. He is worshipped in the form of Lingam. This was originally called Adavallan that meant an expert dancer. The same name occurs in Thiruvisaipa as the name of the deity at Chidambaram.
Another significant aspect of the temple is the great Nandi (stone bull) that is recognized at the entrance of the temple as well as ceiling of its enclosure that is decorated with frescoes in the typical Thanjavur style of painting. The Nandi weighs 27 tons and is probably the largest of its kind in the world. The 'Vimana' of the temple is about 70 meters and is among the tallest of its kind in the world. The 'Shikharam' (crown) of Brihadeswara temple is itself very big and deep (81.25 tons) and has been engraved out of a single stone.
The temple is also an architectural exemplar showcasing the pure form of the Dravida type of temple architecture and representative of the Chola Empire ideology and the Tamil civilisation in Southern India. The temples "testify to the brilliant achievements of the Chola in architecture, sculpture, painting and bronze casting.The tower over the shrine is named Dakshina Meru after the abode of Lord Shiva at Kailash that is also called Meru Mountain in Hindu scriptures.
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