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Brihadishwara Temple

This temple is one of India's most prized architectural sites. The temple stands amidst fortified walls that were probably added in the 16th century. The 'Vimana' - or the temple tower - is 216 ft (66 m) high [4] (about 70 meters) and is among the tallest of its kind in the world. The Kalash or 'Shikhara' (apex or the bulbous structure on the top) of the temple is of monolithic granite weighing 81.25 tons. There is a big statue of Nandi (sacred bull), carved out of a single rock, at the entrance measuring about 16 feet long and 13 feet high[5]. The entire temple structure is made out of hard granite stones, a material sparsely available currently in Thanjavur area where the temple is located.

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Uploaded on February 1, 2010
Taken on January 30, 2010