Thanjavur brihadeeshwara temple vlog | Thanjore | Tamilnadu

The history of the Thanjavur temple, also known as the Brihadeeswara Temple, centers on its construction by the Chola emperor Rajaraja Chola I around 1010 AD. It was built as a magnificent Shiva temple, with the main tower (vimana) standing at 216 feet tall, and the entire structure is a landmark of Chola architecture and a UNESCO World Heritage site. The temple is renowned for its pioneering use of granite, intricate carvings, and architectural marvels, such as the massive single-stone capstone and the fact that it casts no shadow at noon.

Architectural and engineering achievements

Material: 

It was the first temple in the world to be built entirely of granite, with an estimated 60,000 tons of granite used. 

Vimana: 

The main tower, or vimana, is about 216 feet tall, making it one of the tallest of its kind. 

Capstone: 

The capstone at the very top of the vimana is a single stone weighing approximately 80 tons. 

Nandi: 

A colossal Nandi statue at the entrance is carved from a single rock and weighs around 25 tons. 

No shadow: 

Despite its height, the temple's tower is said to cast no shadow at midday. 

Intricate details: 

The walls feature carvings depicting the 81 postures of the classical Indian dance, Bharatanatyam, and many of the builders' names are inscribed on the temple itself. 

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