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Thanjavur, India
Thanjavur (Tanjore) was the capital of the mighty Chola dynasty, which from the 9th to 13th centuries ruled much of South India and launched naval expeditions to Southeast Asia. The Brihadeeswara Temple, built by Raja Raja Chola I in 1010 AD, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the crowning achievement of Dravidian temple architecture. Its 66-meter vimana (tower) was the tallest in India when built, topped by an 80-ton granite capstone raised using a 6-kilometer earthen ramp. Audio narration reveals how the Chola engineers achieved this feat a millennium ago.
explore by interest
Remove shoes before entering the temple complex. The temple is most photogenic in the morning when light hits the main tower. The palace complex takes a separate 2-3 hours to explore.
October through March when temperatures are cooler. The annual Natyanjali dance festival at the temple in February features classical dance performances. Summer is intensely hot.