18/06/2026
The Brihadeeswara Temple in Thanjavur is one of the greatest structures ever built. Do you know why?
The architecture used is the interlock method where no cement, plaster or adhesive was used between the stones. It has survived 1000 years and 6 earthquakes.
The Mandir tower at 216 feet was likely the tallest in the world at the time.
The other structures built using this method Big Ben and Leaning Tower of Pisa are tilting with time. The Mandir which is way older has zero degree inclination.
1.3 lakh ton of granite was used to build the Mandir which was transported by 3000 elephants from 60 kms away.
The Mandir was constructed without digging the earth.
The Kumbham at the top of the Mandir tower weighs 81 tons and is carved from a single piece of granite.
Nothing ever comes close to the level of engineering used to construct the Brihadeeswara Mandir. There is nothing quite like it and there will never be something quite like it. Raja Raja Chola was a visionary. We must treasure this timeless marvel.
📸 Artistic imagination :
