The Brihadeeswarar Temple in Thanjavur, known locally as the Periya Kovil or Big Temple, is the greatest monument of the Chola dynasty. The emperor Rajaraja I built it between about 1003 and 1010 CE and dedicated it to Shiva, originally under the name Rajarajeswaram. More than a thousand years later it is still a working temple, with daily rituals, crowds of pilgrims and a steady flow of visitors who come simply to look up at the tower.
Together with the Chola temples at Gangaikonda Cholapuram and Darasuram, it forms the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Great Living Chola Temples. The Thanjavur temple was inscribed first, in 1987, and the others were added in 2004.
On this page
Why the Big Temple matters
Chola temples before Rajaraja were modest in size. Here the king built on an imperial scale. The vimana, the tower directly above the sanctum, rises about 63 metres (208 feet) in granite, in stacked tiers that taper to a domed capstone. When it was completed it was the tallest temple tower in India, and it is still one of the tallest in the south.
Granite is not found in the immediate Thanjavur area, so every block had to be brought in. How the builders raised the capstone to the top remains a subject of debate; the traditional story of a long earthen ramp is only one of several theories.
What to see
- The vimana: walk across the courtyard to see it change colour through the day. The warm evening light on the granite is the classic view.
- Nandi mandapam: a monolithic seated Nandi, about 6 metres long and 2 metres high, faces the sanctum. The pavilion around it and the Nandi’s placement date from the later Nayak period.
- The lingam: the main sanctum holds a huge stone lingam, among the largest in any Indian temple.
- Dance sculptures: the upper passage around the sanctum has carvings of 81 of the 108 karanas, the dance movements described in the Natya Shastra.
- Chola frescoes: paintings on the walls of the passage around the sanctum were found under later Nayak paintings in 1931. They are not normally open to the public, but the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has documented them.
- Later shrines: the courtyard holds smaller shrines added from the 13th to the 17th centuries, including those of Murugan (Subrahmanya) and the goddess Periya Nayaki.
- Inscriptions: the base of the temple is covered in Tamil inscriptions recording Rajaraja’s gifts, temple staff and endowments, one of the richest records of Chola administration.
Timings and entry
At the time of writing the sanctum is open for darshan from about 6 AM to 12:30 PM and 4 PM to 8:30 PM. The outer courtyard usually stays open for visitors during the midday break, but check before you go, as timings change on festival days. Entry is free. The monument is protected by the ASI, while worship is managed by the temple trust.
Best time to visit
The cooler months from November to February are the most comfortable. On any day, come early in the morning before the stone gets hot, or from about 4 PM so you can stay for sunset and the evening lamps. Weekends and festival days bring large crowds, especially around Maha Shivaratri and the annual celebration of Rajaraja’s birth star (Sadhaya Vizha) in the Tamil month of Aippasi.
Practical tips
- Dress code: cover shoulders and knees, as in any Tamil temple.
- Footwear: shoes are left at the counter outside. The courtyard stone becomes very hot by midday, so the early morning and evening are easier on bare feet.
- Phones and photography: photography has traditionally been allowed in the courtyard but never of the deity. From September 2026 Tamil Nadu has started banning mobile phones inside major temples, with deposit counters at the entrance, so check the current rule before you go.
- Guides: a knowledgeable guide makes the inscriptions and sculptures much more meaningful. Ask at the entrance for authorised guides.
- Nearby: the Thanjavur Palace complex, with its art gallery of Chola bronzes and the Saraswathi Mahal Library, is a short drive away.
Visiting from Pondicherry
Thanjavur is about 168 km from Pondicherry, around three and a half to four hours by car, usually via Chidambaram and Kumbakonam. A day trip is possible but long; most travellers stay a night in Thanjavur or Kumbakonam and add the Airavatesvara Temple at Darasuram and the Nataraja Temple in Chidambaram on the way.
Our Great Chola Temples tour and Trichy, Thanjavur and Madurai tour both include the Big Temple, by car with driver from Pondicherry. For more ideas, see our temples and heritage pages.
Official information: UNESCO World Heritage Centre
Frequently asked questions
Who built the Brihadeeswarar Temple in Thanjavur?
The Chola emperor Rajaraja I built it between about 1003 and 1010 CE. It was originally called Rajarajeswaram after him.
How tall is the Thanjavur Big Temple?
The granite vimana over the sanctum rises about 63 metres (208 feet), making it one of the tallest temple towers in South India.
Is there an entry fee for the Brihadeeswarar Temple?
No, entry is free. Offerings and special pujas are paid separately.
What are the Brihadeeswarar Temple timings?
At the time of writing, darshan is from about 6 AM to 12:30 PM and 4 PM to 8:30 PM. Timings change on festival days, so check before you go.
Is the Brihadeeswarar Temple a UNESCO World Heritage Site?
Yes. It was inscribed in 1987 and is now part of the Great Living Chola Temples site, with the temples at Gangaikonda Cholapuram and Darasuram.