Brihadeeswarar Temple, Gangaikonda Cholapuram

Brihadeeswarar Temple
Brihadeeswarar Temple Location in Tamil Nadu
Name
Other names	Gangaikonda Cholapuram Temple
Geography
Coordinates	11°12′22″N 79°27′05″E / 11.20611°N 79.45139°E / 11.20611; 79.45139Coordinates: 11°12′22″N 79°27′05″E / 11.20611°N 79.45139°E / 11.20611; 79.45139
Country	India
State	Tamil Nadu
District	Thanjavur
Culture
Primary deity	Siva Peruman
Important festivals	Maha Sivaratri
Architecture
Architectural styles	Dravidian Architecture
History and governance
Date built	11th century AD
Creator	Rajendra Chola I

Brihadeshwara Temple (also called Gangaikonda Cholapuram temple and Gangaikondacholeeswaram) is a Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva located in Gangaikonda Cholapuram, Ariyalur district, in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is one of the largest temples in India and is an example of Dravidian architecture built by the Chola dynasty. It was built by Rajendra Chola I and completed in 1035 AD.

In modern times, the temple stands amidst dilapidated walls. The vimanam (temple tower) is 55 m (180 ft) high and modelled similar to the Brihadeeswarar Temple at Thanjavur. The temple is one of the most visited tourist attractions in Tamil Nadu.

The temple is open from 6 am - 12:30 pm and 4:30 - 8:00 pm on all days. Four daily rituals and many yearly festivals are held at the temple, of which the Shivarathri during the Tamil month of Masi (February - March), Aipassi Pournami during Aipassi (October - November) and Thiruvadirai during Margazhi (December - January) being the most prominent. The temple is declared as a heritage monument and administered by the Archaeological Survey of India as a protected monument. The temple is declared a CE UNESCO World Heritage Site, along with the Brihadeeswara Temple at Thanjavur and Airavatesvara temple at Darasuram that are referred as the Great Living Chola Temples.