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Brihadeshwara Temple: Info, Facts and Travel Guide!

The Brihadeshwara Temple is located in Thanjavur (Tanjore), Tamil Nadu, India. Brihadeshwara Temple is one of the major Lord Shiva Temples in South India. This temple is also a architectural model and a mystery place as this temple does not have its own Shadow! Today, you will get complete information about Brihadeshwara Temple, including its history, facts, and travel guide. 

Contents: 

1. About Brihadeshwara Temple
2. The History of Brihadeshwara Temple
3. How to reach Brihadeshwara Temple
4. Some suggestions before going to Brihadeshwara Temple
5. Amazing Facts about Brihadeshwara Temple
6. Overall Budget of the Travel
7. FAQs

About Brihadeshwara Temple

Brihadeshwara Temple is one of the most beautiful examples of the architectural styles of the Chola Dynasty. This temple was constructed during the rule of the Chola king Raja Raja Chola I in the 11th century in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, India. The temple comes in the limelight for its heightened vimana, which is the main push. The Chola dynasty's evidence of their greatness and construction genius is the 66-meter-high gopuram. Lord Shiva is the main deity of this temple which is known for its big Lingam, complex sculptures, splendid frescoes, and inscriptions that represent the impression and achievements of the Chola empire. The Brihadeshwara temple is a site of UNESCO's World Heritage.

The History of Brihadeshwara Temple

Originally known as the Peruvudaiyar Kovil, the Brihadeshwara Temple was built by Chola emperor Raja Raja I during 1003-1010. Located in Thanjavur, the temple that was constructed was a massive statement in the Shiva arch and was also a sign of the Chola rulers' power and piety to the God.

 For other temples, it is out of the temple location and it is the only one that you can see is the main tower which stands at 66 meters high which is the way high size of the temple. The sanctuary has gained fame and global public because of its cavernous vimana that set a new bar among all Hindu temples with its record of 66 meters in height. It is a gigantic stone that becomes pointed into the highest point, the tectonic rock shelter, is composed of a ton and a half and is the achievement of constructions of the highest magnitude hitherto.

Temple as old as a temple, the Temple has always been the only source of the religious and cultural activities. It has been the case from time to time and it still stand as a major Hindu site for the devotees of Lord Shiva. The Temple presents carved-out deities on its outer walls, and also records it out of its ancient history. They reveal very strict and detailed of the Chola dynasty showing their social, political, and cultural achievements.

Even though in 1987 it was declared a World Heritage Site still today the UNESCO World Heritage Committee has justices its significance both on the historical and architectural grounds. However, the temple is a place of devotion and a center of learning and respect today as well, where people from the corners of the planet share the beauty of living the history that transformed the place to be what it is today.

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How to reach Brihadeshwara Temple

There are many ways to reach  Brihadeshwara Temple in Thanjavur (Tanjore), Tamil Nadu, India:

• By Air:
• The nearest airport is Tiruchirapalli International Airport (TRZ), approximately 60 kilometers away. 
• By Train: 
• Thanjavur Junction is well-connected by trains from major cities like Chennai, Madurai, and Trichy.
• By Road: 
• Thanjavur is easily accessible by road from various cities in Tamil Nadu and other neighboring states. It is connected by state and national highways. 
• Within Thanjavur, you can use auto-rickshaws, taxis, or local buses to reach the Brihadeshwara Temple, 

Also Read: Shri Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga Temple: Info, Facts and Travel Guide!

Some suggestions before going to Brihadeshwara Temple

Here are some suggestions which will help you in your Brihadeshwara Temple journey:

• Verify the temple opening hours to plan your visit accordingly.
• Carry water and light snacks if needed, as it can get hot during the day. 
• Carry essentials like sunscreen, hats, and sunglasses, mainly if visiting during sunny days.
•  Consider visiting the temple during weekdays or non-peak hours to avoid crowds, if possible.
• Try not to visit during festive seasons if you want a comfortable trip.
• Don't forget to book your hotels in advance to avoid last minute hustle.

Amazing Facts about Brihadeshwara Temple

Here are some amazing facts about Shri Brihadeshwara Temple that will make you more eager to visit this temple:

• The temple's main tower stands at 66 meters tall, making it one of the tallest in the world for its time period.
• The Lingam inside the temple is carved from a single piece of granite and is one of the largest in India.
• It is believed that the temple's vimana does not cast a shadow at noon.
• The temple was constructed entirely from granite, with some stones weighing up to 80 tons.
• the Brihadeshwara Temple was Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987.

Overall Budget of the Travel

The overall budget of the trip depends on your trip members and in which season you are planning to go to Brihadeshwara Temple, as during Mahashivratri and other festivals, hotel prices reach their peak value. You can expect 3,000–5,000 per person, excluding your flight or train tickets. 

Also Read: Mahadeva Lingaraja Temple: Complete Information and Travel Guide!

Conclusion

We have added everything we know about Brihadeshwara Temple to this article. You must add this Temple in your Tamil Nadu Travel itineraries. We will update this article if we get any new news about it. If you will follow our suggestions, then your Brihadeshwara Temple Yatra will be memorable, comfortable, and safe. I hope God Harihara will bless you and your family. Comment if you have any queries regarding this temple. Har Har Mahadev! 

FAQs

What is Brihadeshwara temple famous for?

1. It is one of India's biggest temples that features its grand vimana towering above all others and stands out for its grand architecture the most. 2. The temple shelter a huge Lingam, a sign of Lord Shiva, made from the same stone. 3. It is celebrated for intaglio, frescoes, and inscriptions that are very detailed and show the different aspects of art and culture of the Chola dynasty. 4. The temple's architectural innovations consist of its unique construction methods and the phenomenon of the shadowless vimana.

Which temple whose shadow never falls?

The temple with an unsunny shadow is the Brihadeshwara Temple in Thanjavur (Tanjore) in the beautiful land of India. There is a tradition that the tower (vimana) of the temple that is very ancient from the period of the Chola dynasty, does not have a shadow at noon so it is one of the places the Indian people are very proud of.

What is the mystery of Brihadeshwara Temple?

One of the reasons it is a mystery is the lack of shadows on the temple. The second reason would be that it was constructed using granite which was quarried at a great distance. The final point is that the solar cap 80% of its total weight has been measured to be 45 meters compared to its 100% full length. This is curious at best but only adds to the temple's universal appeal among visitors to the site.

What is inside the Lingam Brihadeshwara Temple?

So, nothing but the Lingam is typically found inside the temple of Lord Brihadeshwara. In fact, Lingam is a stone slab which itself is a sign that Lord Shiva is present there. Additionally, the idol represents the formless and eternal nature of the deity.

Who was the founder of Brihadeshwara Temple?

The founder of the Brihadeshwara Temple was Raja Raja Chola I, the Chola king who was the first of the temple's builders who had it built nearly 30 feet by 30 feet and a height of 57 meters with the top touching the sky was around 1010 CE.

What is the curse of Tanjore temple?

The curse of the Tanjore (or Thanjavur) temple that is Brihadeshwara Temple more specifically is about the belief that the temple's shadow can not touch the ground. Following the legend, the curse is any shadow levitated by the temple's tallest peak, which does not hit the floor, becoming a paranormal action. A section of people insist that the temple is left with no shadow because of the heavenly punishment or benediction, in this way God preserves holiness and splendor.

What is the form of Shiva in Brihadeshwara Temple?

In the Brihadeshwara Temple Lord Shiva is manifested as a colossal Lingam assuring the presence of his strength and might with the embodiment being rendered in a sober and solid style.