The Magnificent Tanjai Periya Kovil: A Timeless Marvel of Chola Architecture and Devotion to Lord Shiva
1. Tallest Temple Tower (Vimana)
The tower above the sanctum (garbhagriha) is about 66 meters (216 feet) tall.
It is one of the tallest temple towers in the world, built entirely of granite.
The Vimana dominates the skyline of Thanjavur and symbolizes the architectural brilliance of the Cholas.
2. Single Stone Kalasam (Crowning Stone)
The topmost structure, called the Kalasam, is a huge single stone weighing about 80 tons.
Ancient engineers used an inclined plane system to lift and place this stone at such a height — a major engineering achievement over 1000 years ago.
3. Massive Nandi Statue
The temple houses a huge statue of Nandi (the bull mount of Lord Shiva).
It is carved from a single block of granite, measuring 6 meters in length and 3.7 meters in height.
This Nandi is considered one of the largest monolithic Nandis in India.
4. Granite Construction Without Local Source
The entire temple was built using granite, a stone that was not locally available in Thanjavur.
This shows the might of the Chola dynasty — transporting such heavy stones over long distances without modern machinery.
5. No Shadow Falling on Ground (Mystery)
It is said that the shadow of the main Vimana does not fall on the ground at noon time.
Even today, scientists and historians marvel at this architectural mystery.
6. UNESCO World Heritage Site
In 1987, the temple was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
It is part of the "Great Living Chola Temples", along with Gangaikonda Cholapuram and Darasuram temples.
7. Beautiful Frescoes and Paintings
The inner walls of the temple are decorated with Chola-era frescoes (murals).
These paintings depict scenes from Hindu mythology, daily life of that era, and the power of the Chola empire.
8. Intricate Sculptures and Carvings
Every wall, pillar, and surface of the temple is filled with detailed carvings.
The sculptures include gods, goddesses, dancers, warriors, and mythological scenes — showcasing the rich cultural life of the Cholas.
9. Underground Secret Passages
The temple complex had several hidden underground passages.
These were believed to be used for emergencies or as escape routes during times of invasion.
10. Longest Tamil Inscriptions
The walls of the temple contain long inscriptions in Tamil.
These inscriptions record the donations made to the temple, the administration details, and stories of
Raja Raja Chola’s reign — giving historians a treasure of information.
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