Brihadesvara Temple

Alternative Names
தஞ்சைப் பெருவுடையார் கோயில்
தஞ்சைப் பெரிய கோயில்
वृहदीश्वर मन्दिर
राजराजेश्वरम्
Brihadishvara Temple
Rajarajesvaram
Thanjai Periya Kovil
Peruvudaiyar Kovil
Date
1011 CE
Work Type
Material/Technique
Measurements
H: 66 m
Style/Period

References

  • Exterior: Gopura on East side
  • Exterior: Lower section of gopura, detail
  • Exterior: Lower section of gopura, detail
  • Exterior: SE view of the temple
  • Exterior: SE view of the temple
  • Exterior: SE view of the temple
  • Exterior: South face of the temple
  • Exterior: SW view of the temple, detail
  • Exterior: Inscriptions along base of the temple
  • Exterior: Inscriptions along base of the temple
  • Exterior: Inscriptions along curved moulding
  • Exterior: Inscriptions along curved moulding
  • Exterior: Inscriptions along curved moulding, detail
  • Exterior: Inscriptions along recesses and projections of base
  • Exterior: Inscriptions along curved moulding and base
  • Exterior: South wall of vimana, detail
  • Exterior: West side of South wall of vimana, dancing Shiva flanked by blocks carved with vignettes of his legend, detail
  • Exterior: West side of South wall of vimana, detail of a deity niche
  • Exterior: East side of South wall of vimana, finished Kalpa-Vriksha niche that alternates with deity niches, detail
  • Exterior: East side of South wall of vimana, Bhikshatana niche, detail
  • Exterior: West face of balustrade of steps along South entrance to antarala
  • Exterior: West face of balustrade of steps along South entrance to antarala, detail
  • Exterior: West side of South wall of mandapa, with view of deity niches and incomplete gridding on stone
  • Exterior: West side of South wall of mandapa, with view of deity niches and incomplete gridding on stone
  • Exterior: West side of South wall of mandapa, Vishnu niche with unfinished vignettes, detail
  • Exterior: West side of South wall of mandapa, Ganesha niche with almost finished vignettes, detail
  • Exterior: Empty niche on West side of South wall of mandapa
  • Exterior: Inscriptions along curved moulding, detail
  • Exterior: Inscriptions along curved moulding and base
  • Exterior: Inscriptions along curved moulding, detail
  • Exterior: East wall of South antarala entrance, Lakshmi flanked by finished vignettes, detail
  • Exterior: East wall of South antarala entrance, Lakshmi flanked by finished vignettes, detail
  • Exterior: Partially finished and unfinished vignettes between niche figures of Vishnu and Ganesha on South wall of mandapa, detail
  • Exterior: Partially finished and unfinished vignettes on right of Vishnu niche figure on South wall of mandapa, detail
  • Exterior: Unfinished vignettes on left of Vishnu niche figure on South wall of mandapa, detail
  • Exterior: Inscriptions along curved moulding, detail
  • Exterior: Inscriptions along recesses and projections of base
  • Exterior: Inscriptions along recesses and projections of base
  • Exterior: Detail of inscriptions
  • Exterior: Inscriptions
  • Exterior: West side of North wall of vimana, Shiva and Parvati in a niche with sages on top blocks only, detail
  • Exterior: West side of North wall of mandapa, with view of niches and vignettes in various stages of completion
  • Exterior: West side of North wall of mandapa, with view of niches and vignettes in various stages of completion, detail
  • Exterior: West side of North wall of mandapa, Durga niche with incomplete vignette blocks, detail
  • Exterior: West side of North wall of mandapa, Bhairava niche with incomplete vignette blocks, detail
  • Exterior: West side of North wall of mandapa, detail of empty niche
  • Exterior: West side of North wall of vimana, Ardhanareshvara niche with devotees carved across lower two blocks, detail
  • Exterior: Detail of inscriptions
  • Exterior: East side of South wall of vimana, detail of woman coming to give alms to Bhikshatana
  • Exterior: View of West façade of vimana
  • Exterior: South side of West wall, detail of incomplete Kalpa-Vriksha niche
  • Exterior: East wall of South antarala entrance, Lakshmi flanked by finished vignettes
  • Exterior: East wall of South antarala entrance, Lakshmi flanked by finished vignettes
  • Exterior: Detail of north antarala entrance
  • Drawing of West elevation
  • Drawing of South elevation
  • Drawing of North elevation
  • Drawing of South antarala staircase