The Big Temple, also known as Thanjai Peruvudaiyar
Brihadishvara Temple, is a protected monument and a part of the
UNESCO World Heritage Site. Brihadishvara Temple was constructed in the 11th century by the Chola King Raja Raja Chola I (985 AD–1014 AD). The temple is built using granite, displaying the engineering and architectural knowledge of that time. The Big Temple has been designed using
traditional knowledge, which is held as family secret and passed down from father to son. It was completed by the engineers named Kunjara Mallan Raja Raja Perunthachan (Chief Architect & Sculptor), and the Second level architects are Nithavinotha Perunthachan, Sadayan Kandaraditha Perunthachan. Karuvurar had a significant contribution to the completion of the Brihadishvara Temple. He was the Guru for the King
Rajaraja I. While building this temple, he faced many big challenges. The priests found it impossible to affix the huge
Shiva Linga on the base for the Sanctum - Sanctorum of the temple. The last but not the least was Karuvurar, who is said to have helped the installation of the great Siva Lingam in the Big temple at Thanjavur had performed miracles before he left his mortal coil at karur of Tiruchirapalli District. == Works ==