Bragadeeswarar Temple in Thanjavur is one of the most amazing temples in India. I’m talking about the Big Temple, also known as the Brahadeshwara Temple, in Thanjavur.
This temple was built during the reign of the Great Chola emperor, Raja Raja Chola, is a true masterpiece.
The shrine itself is a whopping 216 feet tall and boasts paintings from the Chola and Nayak periods. And let’s not forget about the statue of Nandi the Bull that welcomes you at the entrance. Simply magnificent.
The temple is so impressive that it’s a part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the “Great Living Chola Temples.” And did you know that it’s also one of the largest Hindu temples in the world?
The vimana tower above the shrine is one of the tallest in South India and is made entirely out of granite. And the mandapa structures, the maha-mandapa and mukha-mandapa, are just as impressive. The maha-mandapa has six pillars on each side, and the mukha-mandapa is linked to it by stairs. Plus, there are eight small shrines for guardian deities of each direction, including Agni, Indra, Varuna, Kubera, and others.
But wait, there’s more! The temple also has Chola frescoes on the sanctum walls that were discovered in 1931. These frescoes cover floor-to-ceiling and were restored in the 2000s. They’re absolutely stunning and depict scenes from Hindu mythology. And if that wasn’t enough, the temple also has murals on the ceiling of the Nandi mandapa.