The Tanjore Big Temple is a stunning monument built by Raja Raja Cholan, greatest king of Chola Dynasty. It was constructed between the year AD 985 and 1014, completed around 1010 AD. The temple is popularly known as the Big Temple, Rajarajesvaram Temple or Peruvudaiyār Kōvil temple. It highlights the architectural mastery of the Chola era. The Thanjavur temple is mainly dedicated to Lord Shiva because the Raja Raja Cholan is the ardent devotee of Lord Shiva. The great temple was built to signify the Chola’s brilliant achievements in architecture, painting, bronze casting and sculpture. Brihadeeswarar temple is one of the few temples that have Ashta-dikpalakas (dik – direction & palakas – ruler. Dikpalakas – ruler of the directions). Brihadeeswarar temple Thanjavur, is the first complete granite temple in the world with more than 130,000 tons.