Site Name: Thanjavur
Date: ca 985-1014 CE
Subject: A view
CENTER FOR ART AND ARCHAEOLOGY
Brahadisvara Temple at Thanjavur was built in the reign of Rajaraja I from 985-1014 CE. In Sanskrit, the temple is known as Brihat Esvaram or the Big Temple. Inscriptions in Tamil mention the temple as Sri Rajarajeswaram; it is also referred to as Dakshina Meru. The greatest of the Chola temples, 2010 marked the completion of 1000 years of the consecration of this temple. Together with the Gopura, which is a later addition, the total area covered by the Brihadisvara temple complex is nearly 1200 x 800 feet. An enclosure nearly 800 feet by 400 feet, with a late Gopura in the east, surrounds the main temple structure, the Rajarajesvara vimana. A Nandimandapa stands at some distance from the entrance of the shrine, within the enclosure. The shrine itself is 25 feet square and is provided with an ambulatory. Symbolic doorways are provided on all four sides; hence, it can be described as being of the Sarvatobhadra class. There are huge four-armed door guardians. Above the shrine or Vimana, there is a second storey, once again complete with offsets and protected by guardian figures. Internally, the two storeys, upper and lower, are common, and they accommodate a huge Linga of Shiva.
South wall, Birabhadra