The Brihadeshwara temple at Thanjavur (present day Tanjore), dedicated to Lord Shiva is the world’s first complete granite temple. It was built by the Chola King Rajaraja I in the 11th century AD and hence the temple is also called the Rajarajeshwara temple. The temple tower rises to a height of 57 meters in 13 successive storeys above which is located a large single stone block which is about 25 feet high and weighs about 80 tonnes. The total height of the temple tower is 66 meters (216 feet) thus making it one of the tallest temples in the World. The Brihadeshwara temple is one of the finest monuments dating back to the Chola period and is a fine example of Dravidian art.
