Must visit place in Thanjavur (Tanjore) – Big Temple, officially known as the Brihadeshwara Temple, is the city's best-known landmark and one of the great temples of South India. Locals simply call it Periya Kovil.
A thousand years of Chola grandeur
The temple was built by the Chola emperor Rajaraja I and completed in 1010 CE. Dedicated to Shiva and built largely of granite, it is crowned by a towering vimana — the tower above the inner sanctum — that rises around 66 metres over the courtyard.
Together with the temples at Gangaikonda Cholapuram and Darasuram, it forms the Great Living Chola Temples, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is still a living place of worship, so you'll share the courtyard with pilgrims and families as well as fellow travellers.
What not to miss
- The great Nandi — a monolithic statue of Shiva's bull in its own pavilion, facing the main shrine.
- The vimana itself — walk the full circuit of the courtyard to see it from every side.
- The long colonnaded cloister around the courtyard, cool and quiet even on a busy day.
- The late-afternoon light, when the granite glows gold.
Tips for your visit
- Go early in the morning or later in the afternoon — the stone courtyard gets very hot underfoot at midday.
- Shoes are removed before you enter, so wear something easy to slip off.
- Dress modestly, with shoulders and knees covered.
- Photography is generally allowed in the courtyard but not inside the sanctum — follow the signs.
- The temple closes for a few hours in the afternoon, so check the timings locally before you set out.
Getting there
The temple is very close to Hyderspark Hotel, so it's easy to visit first thing in the morning and return for the evening light. Our reception team is happy to help with directions.
