Tanjore is a city and district in the Indian state of Tamil
Nadu, which is bordered on the east by the Bay of Bengal.
The Tanjore district is located in the Cauvery River delta,
south of the river's main channel; this exceptionally fertile region continues
to produce a significant portion of India's rice.
The Chola dynasty's fundamental base was this area, and the
land's agricultural fecundity was the underlying source of the dynasty's
dominance, which spanned much of southern India and even Malaysia at one time.
The Chola dynasty utilized its riches and influence to construct
massive temples throughout Tamil Nadu, particularly in the Tanjore area and
Tanjore city, which served as their capital.
King Raja Raja (r. 985–1014 C.E. ), who constructed
Tanjore's Brhadeshvar temple, and his son Rajendra (r. 1014–1042 C.E. ), whose
finest building is the temple at Gangaikondacholapuran, brought the Chola
dynasty to its pinnacle.
The Brhadeshvar temple is devoted to Shiva as the
"Great Lord," and the Cholas also erected or renovated temples in
Kumbhakonam, Thiruvaiyaru, Chidambaram, and Shrirangam.