A study of Oriental architecture or history would be incomplete if the Tanjore Brihadeeshwara Temple or the Tanjore Periya Kovil were not mentioned (Big Temple). Raja Raja Cholan and his sister Kundavai, both fervent worshippers of Lord Shiva, created this spectacular edifice. The temple is mostly built of granite with some elements made of sandstone and mortar. It has a tall tower in the center called the gopuram which is an ornate shrine that rises above the roofline. The main entrance to the temple is through a huge rock formation called the nandi mittai or "bull's face". The complex also includes a small museum with photographs and information about the temple. The temple was built between 14th and 16th centuries during the Vijayanagara Empire rule over south India. It stands testimony to the wealth and power of the Cholans - rulers of southern Tamil Nadu state. The temple is dedicated to Brihadeeswara, or "Lord who shows the way". It has eight shrines, each with its own unique feature. There are many paintings and sculptures inside and outside the temple showing various forms of Shiva. The largest such sculpture can be found in the central shrine called the gopuram or "gateway". It measures 30 feet high and 24 feet wide and weighs approximately 20 tons! The temple has been listed as one of the World Heritage Sites by UNESCO since 1979.