
The Brihadishwara Temple, the cynosure of Thanjavur, celebrated a millennium in 2010

Thanjavur, among India’s most ancient living cities, dates back to the Sangam period. Of the great

Part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Brihadishwara Temple at Thanjavur is the largest temple

Temple priests at the Big Temple in Thanjavur. The massive Nandi bull made of smoothened granite

A view of the temple precincts

Detail of stone reliefs in the temple precincts

Sivalingams and idols of secondary deities

The pillared hall is richly decorated with frescos

The Brihadishwara Temple, having stood the test of time for a thousand years, is a model for the enduring grandeur of Chola architecture

The Tanjore Doll (left), a traditional bobblehead toy that wobbles when moved, is made of baked clay and painted in bright colors

Handloom silks are one of the chief economic products of the district of Thanjavur. The town also lends its name to the Tanjore Painting, an artistic style unique to this region. The town is also known as the Rice Bowl of Tamil Nadu for its significant contribution to foodgrain production

The Big Temple by night