Brihadeeswarar Temple under construction is Brihadeeswarar Temple which is located at Thanjavur in the state of Tamil Nadu. This is among the largest and one of the most spectacular temples in entire India. It is devoted to Lord Shiva and has been enlisted as one of the heritage sites of world.
The temple was constructed by the Chola dynasty king Raja Raja Chola I in the 11 year=century and is a fine example of Dravidian architectural style. The main tower or Vimana is 66 meters in height which puts it to the list of some of the world’s tallest temple towers. The whole building is built out of granite and the material was imported from quarries located fifty kilometres away.
This temple has many shrines, magnificent statue of Nandi, the bull, and fine murals painted on its walls. The Nandi figure is monolithic and the largest in dimension in India, is approximately 6 meters in length and 3 meters in height.
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An Overview of the Brihadeeswarar Temple
It is rich artistically and hosts endless architectural peculiarities that are expressed in its construction. It has the peculiarities that the walls of the building are decorated with precise carving and inscriptions. There is the Garbhagriha that contains the major deity of the temple, a tall Shiva Lingam.
Tourists will be able to feel the size and sanctity of Brihadeeswarar Temple. This temple is available for darshan the entire day from early morning till late evening and special puja’s are performed during festivals. This place along with the existence of natural beauty makes is ideal for the people who want to know the ancient beauty of India.
Here’s a table format summarizing essential details about Brihadeeswarar Temple (also known as Peruvudaiyar Kovil), located in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu:
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Temple Name | Brihadeeswarar Temple (Peruvudaiyar Kovil) |
| Location | Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu |
| Deity | Lord Shiva (in the form of Lingam) |
| Architectural Style | Dravidian Architecture |
| Constructed By | Rajendra Chola I (1010 CE) |
| Main Attraction | One of the largest temples in India, known for its massive dome (Vimana) |
| Height of the Vimana | 66 meters (216 feet) |
| UNESCO World Heritage Site | Yes, part of the “Great Living Chola Temples” group |
| Timings | 6:00 AM to 12:30 PM, 4:00 PM to 8:30 PM |
| Entry Fee | Free for general darshan; fees for special poojas & events |
| Dress Code | Traditional attire; no shorts or skirts allowed |
| Pooja Timings | Morning: 6:30 AM to 12:00 PM; Evening: 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM |
| Important Festivals | Maha Shivaratri, Arudra Darshan, Temple Car Festival (Annual) |
| Nearby Attractions | Thanjavur Palace, Saraswati Mahal Library, Airavatesvara Temple |
overview of Brihadeeswarar Temple’s key features, timings, and attractions.
| Timing | Details |
|---|---|
| Morning Darshan | 6:00 AM to 12:30 PM |
| Afternoon Break | 12:30 PM to 4:00 PM |
| Evening Darshan | 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM |
| Night Pooja | 8:30 PM to 9:00 PM |
The temple is closed for darshan from 12:30 PM to 4:00 PM for daily maintenance and rituals. Special darshan tickets are available for ₹5, which allow devotees to avoid long queues.
the main sevas (services) and darshans (viewings) available at Brihadeeswarar Temple:
| Seva/Darshan | Description | Price (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Dharma Darshanam | General darshan, free for all devotees | Free |
| Mukhamandapa Darshanam | Special darshan from the Mukhamandapa area | 100 |
| Sheegra Darshanam | Quick darshan, shorter waiting time | 300 |
| Antaraalaya Darshanam | Premium darshan, closest view of the deity | 500 |
| Rudrabhishek | Ritual bath of Lord Shiva | 5,000 |
| Chandan Abhishek | Sandalwood paste offering | 22,500 |
| Milk Abhishek | Milk offering | 500 |
| Ghee Abhishek | Ghee offering | 1,000 |
| Honey Abhishek | Honey offering | 1,200 |
| Sugar Abhishek | Sugar offering | 5,500 |
| Fruit Abhishek | Fruit offering | 500 |
| Panchamrut Abhishek | Mix of milk, curd, honey, sugar, and ghee | 12,000 |
| Shringar Seva | Decorating the deity | 2,100 |
| Flower Garland Seva | Offering flower garlands | 1,200 |
| Tulsi Patra Seva | Offering basil leaves | 5,500 |
| Bilva Patra Seva | Offering bael leaves | 3,100 |
| Akshata Abhishek | Offering rice grains | 4,400 |
| Coconut Abhishek | Offering coconuts | 5,500 |
| Peda Bhog | Offering sweets | 6,600 |
| Coconut Bhog | Offering coconuts | 1,200 |
| Saffron Bhog | Offering saffron | 500 |
| Kheer Bhog | Offering rice pudding | 1,000 |
| Fruits Bhog | Offering fruits | 500 |
| Sweets Bhog | Offering sweets | 500 |
| Naivedya Bhog | Offering various food items | 11,000 |
| Aarti Seva | Performing aarti | 21,000 |
| Deepa Seva | Lighting lamps | 5,500 |
| Dhupa Seva | Offering incense | 4,200 |
| Bell Seva | Ringing the temple bell | 4,200 |
These prices are subject to change, so it’s always a good idea to check with the temple authorities for the most current information. If you have any other questions or need further details
how you can reach Brihadeeswarar Temple in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu:
1. ByTrain:
- Nearest rail head is the Thanjavur Junction Rail Way Station.
- Thanjavur has multiple rail routes connected to various places like Chennai, Madurai, Tiruchirapalli and so on.
- From the station one has to hire auto rickshaw or taxi which will take 10 to 15 minutes to reach the temple.
By Bus:
- Thanjavur also has the bus stand with appropriate bus facilities from neighbour cities such as Chennai Trichy and Madurai.
- If your reach Thanjavur bus stand, then auto-rickshaw and taxi are available to reach the temple.
By Air:
- Tiruchirappalli International Airport (Trichy) is the nearest airport located nearly 58 km from Thanjavur town.
- To get to Thanjavur the options are available through taxi or bus from the airport and then we take a heading to the temple.
By Road:
- You can however get to Thanjavur by car from nearby cities such as Chennai – 350km, Madurai – 140km, or the Trichy – 50km.
- The roads are good andNeil and you can normally use a GPS or Google Maps to assist you.
- First of all, if getting to Thanjavur, there won’t be a problem to find this temple as it is one of the main sites to visit in the city.
the festivals and timings at Brihadeeswarar Temple:
| Festival | Timing | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Morning Darshan | 6:00 AM to 12:30 PM | General darshan, temple opens for devotees |
| Afternoon Break | 12:30 PM to 4:00 PM | Temple closed for maintenance and rituals |
| Evening Darshan | 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM | General darshan, temple reopens for devotees |
| Night Pooja | 8:30 PM to 9:00 PM | Special night pooja performed |
| Chithrai Bramothsavam | April-May | 18-day festival celebrating the birth of Lord Shiva |
| Shivarathiri | February | One-day festival dedicated to Lord Shiva |
| Navarathiri | September-October | 9-day festival dedicated to the goddess Durga |
| Aaruthra Darsanam | December-January | One-day festival celebrating the star Arudra |
| Sathayavizha | October | 2-day festival |
| Pradosham | Once in fortnight | Special pooja performed every fortnight |
| Panchami Abhishekam | Every Panchami in a fortnight | Abhishekam for Goddess Varahi |
| Asada Navarathiri | Every Asada in a fortnight | 12-day festival for Goddess Varahi |
| Astami Abhishekam | Every Asthami in a fortnight | Abhishekam for Lord Bairavar |
| Girivalam | Every full moon day | Pilgrimage around the temple |
| Aadi Pooram | July-August | Festival celebrating the birth of Lord Shiva |
| Thanoormadha Pooja | January-February | Special pooja performed |
Would you like to know more about any specific festival or ritual?