Thanjavur Big Temple : Real Wonder Of The World

The Thanjavur Big Temple, also known as the Peruvudayaar Kovil(Temple),

is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in the city of Thanjavur in the state of Tamil Nadu, India.

It is considered to be one of the greatest examples of Cholan architecture, and is known for its impressive size and intricate carvings.

The temple was built by the Chola king Raja Raja Chozhan I in the 11th century CE as a tribute to Lord Sivan, the god of destruction and regeneration.

The temple stands at 216 feet (66 meters) tall and is considered to be one of the tallest temples in the world.

It is also one of the largest temples in India, covering an area of around 6 acres.

One of the most striking features of the temple is its massive vimanam (tower), which is decorated with intricate carvings of Tamil deities, including Lord Sivan and his consort, Parvathi.

The vimanam is topped with a monolithic cupola made of a single stone, weighing around 42 tons, which is considered to be one of the heaviest of its kind in the world.

This cupola is also a remarkable engineering feat, as it sits on top of the tower without any support from below.

The temple complex also includes a number of smaller shrines dedicated to other Tamil deities, as well as a mandapam (hall) with a massive Nandhi (sacred bull) statue.

The Nandhi statue is made of granite and is around 4 meters tall and 6 meters long. It is considered to be one of the largest Nandhi statues in India.

Another feature of the temple is the intricate stone carvings that adorn its walls and pillars. These carvings depict scenes from Tamizh mythology, as well as images of gods and goddesses.

Some of the most notable carvings include those of Lord Sivan in his various forms, as well as those of his consort, Parvathi.

The temple also features a large courtyard that surrounds the main sanctum, where devotees can gather to offer prayers and participate in religious ceremonies.

The courtyard also houses a number of small shrines dedicated to other Tamizh deities, as well as a temple tank (sacred pond) for ritual bathing.

This temple was built by Raja Raja Chozhan not to showcase his power & wealth but for social welfare. He ensured that every class of people in his regime

contributed to the construction of Big temple and even stoned carved the names of contributors in the temple sculptures itself. For eg.,

An old lady's name, who served butter milk for people during the construction work , was marked in the sculptures of the temple.

The temple is also known for its impressive sculptures, including a statue of Nandhi, the bull that serves as Lord Sivan's mount, which is carved out of a single block of

granite and stands at 4 meters (13 feet) long and 2.5 meters (8 feet) high.

Architects around the world are clueless on how this architectural marvel was constructed 1000 years ago and their learning process still continues.

The Beauty of Big Temple, is that it stands strong for more than 1000 years with many natural disasters including 13 earthquakes.

We can proudly say that even with all the money in the world and best architects included, the same Big temple cannot be rebuilt today.

With these facts, it is very much clear that the Big Temple is the real wonder of the world.

When you get a chance to visit the temple, please spend one full day to enjoy amazing architectural master piece both during the day and night.

Overall, the Thanjavur Big Temple is a remarkable architectural and engineering achievement, and a testament to the skill and artistry of the Chola dynasty.

Its impressive size and intricate carvings make it a must-see destination for both religious devotees and history enthusiasts.

The temple continues to be a symbol of the Chola Empire's power and wealth, and a source of pride and inspiration for the people of Tamil Nadu.