The Brihadisvara Temple at Thanjavur ,Tamil Nadu is a Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva . It is one of the largest South Indian temple .
The temple is one of the most visited tourist attractions in Tamil Nadu. It is also called Dakshina Meru or Meru of the South.
The name means the “great lord, big Shiva” temple (Brihat which means “big” and Ishvara means “lord”, “Shiva”) .
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When and who built the Brihadisvara Temple?
Brihadisvara Temple was built by Raja Raja Chola I between 1003 and 1010 AD.
Brihadisvara Temple is situated on the bank of which river?
Brihadisvara Temple is located on the south bank of the Cauvery river.
In which architectural style Brihadisvara Temple is built?
Brihadisvara Temple is built in a Chola architectural style.
What are the main attractions of the temple?
One of the main attractions of the temple is a big statue of Nandi, the sacred bull of Lord Shiva. 13 ft high and 16 ft wide, the statue is sculpted out of a single rock.
The main temple tower is 216 ft high and the tallest of its kind in the world.
The complete structure of the temple is made out of granite.
The temple stands as a fitting example of the might and power of the Chola dynasty that once ruled over the region.
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The temple took how many years for completion?
It is believed that the construction of the massive temple complex took only 7 years for completion, which is a huge accomplishment considering the scale of the sculptures, art and the complex itself.
Is Brihadisvara Temple a UNESCO World Heritage Site?
The temple is a part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the “Great Living Chola Temples”, along with the Chola dynasty era Gangaikonda Cholapuram temple and Airavatesvara temple that are about 70 kilometres and 40 kilometres to its northeast respectively.
Who ensures preservation and restoration of the Brihadisvara Temple?
As a world heritage monument, the temple and the premises comes under the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) which falls under the Ministry of Culture of the Government of India, to ensure safety, preservation and restoration.
External link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brihadisvara_Temple
