The History and Specialties of Tanjore Brihadeeswara Temple

The Kailasanathar Temple, built by Rajasimhan in Kanchi, impressed the famous King Rajaraja Cholan, the first. He too, wanted to build a temple such grandeur. Hence, the Great Temple of Tanjore was built in the 10th century AD.

The Stones to build this temple were brought in from the outer districts and states. It took 25 years to carve the stones into desired shapes of magnificent precision and then it took 9 more years to set the carved stones together. Therefore construction of this temple lasted for a total of 34 years.

The Tanjore Big Temple located in the granary of Tamil Nadu, is one of the greatest examples of Tamil architecture. The Temple's Tower alone stands 216 feet above the ground. The circular Brahma mantra at its apex is made of a single stone weighing 80 tons. The Kalasam or Kalash are architecturally designed and placed such that the shadows never fall down.

Tanjore Temple is a shout out to the world about the artistry and heritage of the Tamils. For example, the height of the Shiva Lingam in the Tanjore Big Temple is 12 feet. Similarly, the vowel letters in Tamil are 12. The height of the pedestal of Shiva Lingam is 18 feet. Likewise, the Tamil consonants are 18. The height of the temple tower is 216 feet, similarly the number vowel consonants in Tamil language is 216. The distance between the Shiva lingam and Nandi is 247 feet; much like, the total number of letters in the Tamil language is 247.

During the time period when temples were built with only two or three floors, King Rajaraja Chola I built a stone temple of about 60 m high with 15 floors; that too in the lains of river Cauvery, where no stones were available.

The Shiva lingam in the sanctum sanctorum of the Tanjore Big Temple is the largest Shiva lingam in the world. 6 feet in height, 54 feet in circumference Pedestal and the 23 feet high lingam were individually carved and attached. The height and width of the huge Nandi statue erected at the entrance of the temple are: 13 feet and 16 feet respectively.

On April 1, 1954, a 1000 rupee note bearing the image of the Tanjore Temple was issued on behalf of the Government of India in honour of the Tanjore Big Temple.