Amazing ancient Chola temples, which are located in the south of the Indian subcontinent, built over nearly two centuries - in the period from X to the XII century. The complex is a unique architectural and historical monument, an example of which can be traced to the process of socio-cultural development of the great Tamil Chola empire.

The first temple complex - Brihadeshvara, was established in the town of Tanjore in the years 1003-1010 during the reign of Rajaraja. This is a huge, built in honor of one of the major Hindu deities - Shiva - building in the Dravidian style, "State" which consisted of several hundred priests, 400 Devadasi - dancers, performing the sacred ritual dances, and 57 musicians. Revenues of the temple were so huge that they lacked not only on its development, but also to ensure that grant loans to all in need.

Around the perimeter of the territory belonging Brihadeshvara, it was erected a high wall of the rectangular dimensions of 270x140 meters. The gates were made in the form of massive-gopuram tower, whose height is 30 meters. During the first wall followed by a second, more modest proportions. The temple is built of granite slabs and partly of brick. His spatial arrangement it is similar to religious buildings Pallava dynasty. Inside, it is a series of rooms and hallways that lead to the main sanctuary of the temple - a pyramidal 13-tiurovnevuyu tower vimaana. Its height is 60 meters, and the top is crowned with a monolithic stone "dome", weighing about 70 tons. The outer walls are decorated with carved columns Brihadeshvara and panels, granite figures. Inside the building you can see the beautiful statues depicting dancers in 108 poses a ritual dance.

Temple in 1987 received the status of a World Heritage Site.