Brihadeshwara Temple, Raja Rajeswara Temple, Rajarajeswaram, Periya Kovil, Peruvudaiyar Kovil, Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, India

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Built by emperor Raja Raja Chola Iand completed in 1010 AD, Peruvudaiyaar Temple, also popularly known as the 'Big Temple', turned 1000 years old in wish to build a mammoth temple like this is said to have occurred to Raja Raja. The esteemed architect and engineer of the temple was Kunjara Mallan Raja Raja PerunthachanThis temple is the first building fully built by granite and finished within 5yrs[1004AD – 1009AD]. The solid base of the temple raises about 5 metres (16 feet), above which stone deities and representatives of Shiva dance. The huge kalasam or Vimanam (top portion of the shrine) is believed to weigh tonnes of single stone block and was raised to its present height by dragging on an inclined plane of km.

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Size: 3648px × 5472px
Location: Rajarajeswaram, Thanjavur, Asia, south, Indian, Tamil, Nadu, India
Photo credit: © John Bennet / Alamy / Afripics
License: Royalty Free
Model Released: No

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