Historical Context of the Brihadeshwara Temple
Cholas dynasty ruled between 850 and 1280 CE. Securing geopolitical boundaries instead of architecture was the main focus during the early Chola period. In the 10th century, features like multifaceted columns with projecting square capitals came into appearance within the Chola empire. All this marked the initiation of the modern style by Cholas. The Brihadeshwara Temple is the greatest specimen of this South Indian style, especially with regard to scale and detail.
The World Heritage Brihadeshwara Temple
Brihadeshwara temple is a Hindu Dravidian-style temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and located at the bank of the Cauvery river in Thanjavur, Tamilnadu. The temple was constructed by Rajaraja Chola-I who was one of the great emperors of the Chola dynasty and it was designed by “Kunjara Mallan Raja Rama Perunthachan” between 1003 and 1010 AD.