UNESCO World Heritage Sites, India

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Brihadisvara temple, Thanjavur

Under the reign of the great King Rajaraja, founder of the Chola empire the great temple of Tanjore (Thanjavur) was constructed between 1003 and 1010.


Brihadisvara temple

The Brihadisvara temple with its 66.5 meter high ‘Srivimana’ dominating the city is built of granite. The temple consists of a cupolic dome which is octagonal in shape and rest on a single square block of granite, weighing 81.3 tonnes. The moulded plinth is extensively engraved with inscriptions. On the walls of the inner passages are life-size iconographic representations of various Hindu deities.

Tourist Information

Timings : Open on all weekdays from sun rise to sunset except shrines under worship. No entry fee.

Access : The nearest airport and major railhead is Trichy (58 km). Thanjavur is directly linked by rail to Madurai, Tirupati, Chennai and Rameswaram. Excellent bus service link it to other towns in Tamil Nadu.

Best time to visit : October to April.