One of the largest temples in India, the Brihadeeswara Temple also known as Peruvudaiyar Kovil is located in Thanjavur. Dedicate to Lord Shiva represented as a huge ‘Lingam’, the temple was built around 1010 AD by the Chola king Rajaraja Chola I. Considered as one of the three ‘Great Living Chola Temples’ along with the Gangaikondacholeeswaram Temple and Airavastesvara Temple, the complex is also listed as a part of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
This 16thcentury temple dedicated to Lord Rama was built by Nayakkar kings. This thanjavur temple features a characteristic Nayak style of temple architecture. A three-tiered gopuram is enclosed within walls. Carved out of a single stone, each of the 64 exquisite pillars depict various scenes from the epic Ramayana. Rama is seated with his consort Sita in the sanctum sanctorum. Standing alongside are his brothers – Lakshmana, Bharatha, and Chatruguna, while Hanuman is worshipping.
This temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu in the form of Chakrapani, who symbolizes the chakra – the discus, most powerful weapon of Vishnu. The shrines are enclosed within granite walls, and a five-tiered gopuram is supported by exquisite pillars. The presiding deity sits on an elevated structure in the sanctum sanctorum. The eight-armed Chakrapani holds a weapon in each hand, and sports a third eye on his forehead. A five-faced (panchamukha) Hanuman is featured in the outer precincts.
Swamimalai temple is believed to have existed since the 2nd century BC. The temple is an arupadaiveedu, one of the six holy shrines of Lord Murugan. As per legend, Murugan praised the meaning of Pranava Mantra (Aum) to his father Lord Shiva at this site, and thus earned the name Swaminathaswamy. Adorned with a diamond lance and golden crowns and armours, the shrine of Murugan is located atop a hillock, while the shrine of his parents, Shiva and Parvati, are located downhill.
Adi Kumbeswarar Temple, Kumbakonam is a Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva, located in the town of Kumbakonam in Thanjavur District Tamil Nadu, India. Shiva is worshiped as Adi Kumbeswarar, and is represented by the lingam. His consort Parvati is depicted as Mangalambigai Amman. The presiding deity is revered in the 7th century Tamil Saiva canonical, greatest work, the Tevaram, written by Tamil saint poets known as the Nayanmars and classified as Paadal Petra Sthalam
Mahamaham tank is a huge temple tank located in Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu, India. It is considered to be the foremost and one of the largest temple tanks in Tamil Nadu. The Masimaham festival held in the tank has 100,000 visitors and the once-in-12-year Mahamaham festival has close to 2 million visitors.