The Thanjavur temple is mainly dedicated to Lord Shiva because the Raja Raja Cholan is the ardent devotee of Lord Shiva. The great temple was built to signify the Chola's brilliant achievements in architecture, painting, bronze casting and sculpture.

What is special about Tanjore temple?

The temple has a massive colonnaded prakara (corridor) and one of the largest Shiva lingas in India. It is also famed for the quality of its sculpture, as well as being the location that commissioned the brass Nataraja – Shiva as the lord of dance, in 11th century.

Why Tanjore temple is famous?

Brihadishvara Temple is amongst the foremost religious sites in Thanjavur, known for its exemplary Dravidian architecture. ... Brihadishvarain Tamil means the 'Big Lord', and this temple is often also called the 'Big Temple'. Brihadishvara incorporates the Hindu traditions of Shaivism, Vaishnavism, and Shaktism.