Thanjai Periya Kovil, also known as the Brihadeeswarar Temple, is a renowned

Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, India. It is one of the largest
temples in India and is considered a prime example of Dravidian architecture.

### Key Features:

1. **Historical Significance**:

- **Construction**: The temple was built by Raja Raja Chola I between 1003 and 1010 AD.

- **UNESCO World Heritage Site**: It is part of the "Great Living Chola Temples" and was
designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987.

2. **Architectural Marvel**:

- **Vimana (Tower)**: The temple is known for its massive and towering vimana (temple tower),
which is about 66 meters (216 feet) high. It is one of the tallest in the world.

- **Shikhara (Crown)**: The top of the tower is adorned with a single block of granite weighing
around 80 tons.

- **Gopurams (Gateways)**: The temple complex has two large gopurams (gateway towers).

3. **Granite Construction**:

- The temple is made entirely out of granite, despite the lack of any granite quarries within a
hundred kilometers, highlighting the ingenuity and engineering skills of the Chola builders.

4. **Sculptures and Frescoes**:

- **Murals**: The inner walls of the sanctum and the passages around the sanctum are adorned
with exquisite frescoes depicting scenes from Hindu mythology and the Chola dynasty's history.

- **Nandi Statue**: There is a massive statue of Nandi, the bull mount of Lord Shiva, which is
carved out of a single stone and measures about 6 meters in length and 3.7 meters in height.

5. **Sanctum and Deity**:

- **Lingam**: The main deity is a giant Lingam (an abstract representation of Lord Shiva), which
stands in the central sanctum (garbhagriha).