Why in news?
Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) organizing a heritage walk and clean-up drive at Brihadeeswarar Temple in Thanjavur as part of World Heritage Week celebrations. The temple also hosted the Aippasi Sathaya Utsavam festival recently, celebrating its founder Raja Raja Chola I, drawing large crowds of devotees. 
 
Key facts

• Location: Also called Peruvudaiyar Kovil or Brihadisvara Temple, is a monumental Shiva temple in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu
• Deity: Dedicated to Lord Shiva as a huge stone lingam.​
• Builder & period: Built by Chola emperor Rajaraja Chola I between about 1003–1010 CE, at the height of Chola power.​
• UNESCO status: Part of the Great Living Chola Temples World Heritage Site, along with Gangaikondacholisvaram and Airavatesvara temples.​
• Alternative names: Peruvudaiyar Kovil, Rajarajeswaram, Rajarajeshwara Temple, Thanjavur Big Temple.​
• The temple symbolised Chola imperial power and devotion to Shiva.
• It has remained in continuous ritual use for over a thousand years and is now under the care of the Archaeological Survey of India as a protected monument.​
• The temple is a major Shaivite pilgrimage centre and a strong symbol of Tamil culture and Chola heritage.​
• It has historically been associated with classical Bharatanatyam and temple arts;

Temple architecture

• Style: Classic Dravidian architecture showcasing the pinnacle of Chola engineering and sacred geometry.​
• Vimana (main tower): Rises to about 64 m / 216 ft, making it one of the tallest temple towers of its kind in the world.​
• Material: Entire main structure built in granite, even though suitable quarries lie over 50–60 km away, implying massive, organised transport and labour.​
• Construction technique: Huge stone blocks are dry-jointed – bonded without mortar – including the enclosure and the tall tower above the sanctum.​
• Capstone: A single granite block at the top weighing about 80 tons, an engineering feat that remains a major attraction.​

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