Mandapa

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Pavilion, hallAs you move towards the main temple you notice a long hall in front of the main tower. This ...

Candikesvara Shrine

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A small temple facing the great tower, as we come out is the temple of Candikesvara, the chief Steward of ...

Enclosure

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The prakara (enclosure) was built at the order of Rajaraja I, by his Commander-in-chief, sri Krsnan Raman (also called Mummadi-Cola ...

Inner Gopuram

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At the inner gateway (gopuram) the visitor is welcomed or perhaps warned, to enter the temple with devotion by two ...

Outer Gopuram

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Rajaraja Cola built the outer gopuram in 1010 AD It was called Keralantakan vasal after one of his titles. It ...

Amman Shrine

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This temple of Goddess Brhan Nayaki, (the consort of Brhadisvara) was built by a Pandya King in the 13th cent. ...

Subrahmanya Shrine

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At the north-west corner of the prakara is a beautiful temple of Subrahmanya built in 16th century by the Nayakas. ...

Nandi Mandapa

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There is a brick platform leading to the Nandi Mandapa. Nandi the bull is facing his Lord Brhadisvara. It is ...

Ganesa Shrine

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We see a Ganesa temple at the south-west corner. This was built in 1800 CE by Serfoji. In the same ...

Nataraja Shrine

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The shrine of Lord Nataraja, the Cosmic Dancer is located at the north-eastern corner of the prakara. The Image enshrined ...

Dhvajasthambha

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The flag mast in front was set up and covered with copper plates in the beginning of 19th century by ...

Torana Arch

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While navigating from outside to inside of the temple, one reaches first at the outer most arch (Torana) at the ...

Karuvur Devar Shrine

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A small shrine of the Saint Karuvur devar also called Karuvur Siddhar, built in the beginning of this century may ...

Vimana

Vimana

The 'Vimana' - or the temple tower - is 66 m high, the Kalash or 'Shikhara' (apex or the bulbous ...

History

History

The temple was constructed by the Chola King, Rajaraja Chola I. The architecture of the temple adheres to the design ...

Inscriptions

Inscription

The temple walls have numerous inscriptions written in Tamil and Grantha scripts. The latter was a script that used to ...

Carvings, Paintings

Carvings, Paintings

Temple Premises

Temple Premises

Besides the main shrine of Lord Birhadisvara, the temple compound has shrines dedicated to other gods. These are the following:                ...

Natural Environment

Natural Environment

One of the most amazing features about the architecture is that this temple has the tallest Vimana in the world ...