It is a prime example of Tamil architecture and one of the biggest Hindu temples.Another name for it is Dakshina Meru, or Meru of the South.The temple was constructed between 1003 and 1010 CE by the Chola emperor Raja Raja I. It is included in the "Great Living Chola Temples" UNESCO World Heritage Site, along with the Airavatesvara and Gangaikonda Cholapuram temples from the Chola era, which are located 40 and 70 kilometers (25 and 43 miles) northeast of the temple, respectively.This 11th-century temple's original monuments were erected around a moat. It contained the main temple, known as the gopura, with its enormous tower, as well as sculptures, paintings, and inscriptions that were mostly associated with Shaivism but also with Vaishnavism and Shaktism. Throughout the temple's history, damage has occurred, and some artwork has vanished. In the ages that followed, more mandapams and monuments were built. The temple is currently surrounded by walls that were constructed after the sixteenth century. One of the highest in South India, the vimana tower rises above the shrine and was constructed from granite.One of the biggest Shiva lingas in India and a sizable colonnaded prakara (corridor) can be found at the temple.From the fifth to the ninth century, a variety of dravidian temple styles emerged, first during the Chalukya era (as seen by Aihole, Pattadakal), and subsequently during the Pallava era (as shown by Mamallapuram and other monuments). After thereafter, the Cholas became the dominant dynasty from 850 and 1280.Early Chola times saw little focus on architecture and more on maintaining their geopolitical borders. The Chola empire gave rise to elements like the multiple columns with projecting square capitals in the tenth century. According to George Michell, this was the beginning of the new Chola style.The Brihadeshwara temple, constructed by Chola monarch Rajaraja I between 1003 and 1010, is the best example of this South Indian style in terms of both scale and detail.
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