Rajarajan - Thanjavur Temple

Thanjavur Temple

Rajaraja’s reign is commemorated by the Siva temple in Thanjavur, called Raajarajeswaram. The Peruvudaiyar Koyil (Tamil: பெருவுடையார் கோயில், peruvuḍaiyār kōyil ?), also known as Brihadeeswarar Temple, Rajarajeswaram and ‘Big Temple', turned 1000 years old in 2010.The temple is now recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, forming part of the Great Living Chola Temples site.

The construction of the temple is said to have been completed on the 275th day of the 25th year of his reign. After its commemoration the temple and the capital had close business relations with the rest of the country and acted as a centre of both religious and economic activity. Year after year villages from all over the country had to supply men and material for the temple maintenance.

The tower or the sikhara is very high and decorated with sculptures. The entrance to the temple is a high gateway which is also beautifully decorated with sculptures called the gopuram. Nandi, Shiva's bull, guards the temple. Stories of Shiva and Parvati and moreover, eighty one poses of Bharatnatyam are carved on the walls of the temple.