Question map
Which one of the following statement about Brihadeswara Temple at Tanjavur, is not correct?
Explanation
The Brihadeswara Temple at Thanjavur is a masterpiece of Chola architecture and a UNESCO World Heritage Site [t1, t4]. It was commissioned by the Chola emperor Rajaraja I and completed around 1010 AD [t1, t2]. The temple is renowned for its massive structure constructed primarily of granite, featuring a towering vimana (temple tower) that reaches approximately 216 feet [t2, t3, t8]. Statement 4 is incorrect because the temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, not Lord Vishnu [t2, t5]. It houses one of the largest Shiva Lingams in India and is often referred to as Rajarajesvaram or the 'Big Temple' [t5, t9]. While Chola rulers supported both Brahmanical and Bhakti traditions, including constructing temples for Vishnu, the specific royal temples at Thanjavur, Gangaikondacholapuram, and Darasuram are primarily dedicated to Shiva [c4, t10].
Sources
- [1] https://www.tamilnadutourism.tn.gov.in/destinations/brihadeeswara-temple
- [2] https://asi.nic.in/pages/WorldHeritageCholaTemples