Sculpture of Brihadeswara Temple at Thanjavur is one of the finest examples of Chola art and architecture. This South Indian Shiva temple has been built with the help of granite. There are three gopurams that mark the gateway of the Brihadeswara Temple at Thanjavur. These gopurams have their names: the Rajarajan-tiruvasal (the innermost gopuram), Keralantakan-tiruvasal (the middle gopuram) and the outermost one. These gateways, too, are built of the hard granite. While the inner and the middle gopurams were built with the temple, the outer one dates back to the Maratha period. The first two gateways have been intricately carved. The sculpted figures of Hindu deities adorn the walls of these massive structures. Some of the images that are found on the Rajarajan-tiruvasal are the marriage of Lord Shiva and goddess Parvati, Arjuna winning the `pasupata` weapon and the Lord Shiva giving shelter Markandeya. It is interesting to note that all these events are related to Shaivism.

The niches of the `bhumi` portion have been adorned with sculpted figures of gods and goddesses. These deities comprise Durga, Shiva and Vishnu. While the upper nooks have been filled with these figurines the lower ones have been decorated with the well carved images of Lord Ganesh, Lord Vishnu with Sridevi and Bhudevi, Godddess Lakshmi, Vishnuanugraha-murti, Bhikshatana, Virabhadra, Dakshina-murti, Kalantaka and Natesa. However on the western side of the shrine the niches house Harihara, Ardhanarisvara and two Chandrasekharas. Other sculptures that beautify the temple walls are the images of Ardhanarisvara, Gangadhara, Virabhadra, Alingana-Chandrasekhara, Saraswati, Mahishamardini, Ganesha, Vrishavahana, Bhikshatana, Narasimha, Varaha and Bhairava. The Hindu mythological tales come alive on the stone walls of Brihadeswara Temple.

On the east wall of the external portal there are images of Shiva showing benevolence. Other images include Lord Vishnu worshipping Shiva, Shiva forgiving Ravan, marriage of Parvati and Shiva, Shiva giving shelter to Markandeya and the image of Chandesh who had cut off his father`s leg as he was disturbed while worshipping Shiva.

On the north all there is a big panel in which Shiva is depicted showing kindness to his servant, Chandikeshvar. On the outside of the central shrine which is in the south there are fine sculptures of Chandesh-anugrah Murti, Ganesh, Ardh-narishvar, Harihar, and Nataraja. In this scene Vishnu is shown beating a drum, while Ganesh and Kartik arrive on their mounts; Devi is looking on, one arm resting on the Bull Nandi.

On the west side there is Shiva Gangadhar (receiving the Earth on his hair), while Devi stands to one side and the ascetic Bhringi does penance in order to bring about the fall of the Earth. Then there is Shiva Lingodbhav and Vishnu worshipping Shiva with flowers. In the niches on the north one can see the Shiva Bhikshatan Murti or Shiva begging in order to atone for his sin for having cut off one of Brahma`s five heads. Shiva Kalantak, Mahish-asur-mardini Durga with eight arms, Lord Brahma with his consorts Savitri and Saraswati, Shiva Bhairav with eight arms and Shiva Madanantak are the other images.

In the southern main niche, Shiva is depicted as Dakshina Murti or teacher of the South. In the main forte on the west side Lord Vishnu is portrayed with his consorts and on the north side is Brahma. In a dark corner of the temple there is a sculpture of the Nine Planets. Paintings have also been handsomely used to decorate the temple walls. Besides these the upper ambulatory shows lord Shiva in various dance postures.