THE BRIHADISHWARA TEMPLE

Welcome to the Brihadishwara Temple, one of the true marvels of the magnificent Chola dynasty! The temple is situated in the South Indian town of Thanjavur, the renowned capital of the Cholas until the 11th century CE and an important center of religion, art, and architecture to this date. 

Built by the Chola emperor Rajaraja Chola I, the temple stands as a glorious living monument to all aspects of Chola rule including architecture, art and religion.

The temple was originally called the Rajarajeeswaram Temple and later the Peruvudaiyar Temple. In the 17th century, during the Maratha rule it acquired its present-day name of Brihadishwara temple. Local Thanjavur residents affectionately call it the Big Temple or Periya Kovil in Tamil.