The Rajarajeshvara (Brihadishvara) temple complex, dedicated to Shiva, Thanjavur, 10th-11th century

Source: http://www.tamilnation.org/images/religion/temple/thanjavur1.jpg
(downloaded July 2005)

A closeup of the Nandi at the right, facing toward the temple in the photo above

Source: http://www.indiamike.com/photopost/showphoto.php/photo/8045/cat/501
(downloaded July 2005)

The main gopuram, or tower, of the temple

Source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/byronic501/136996336/in/set-72057594120197875/
(downloaded Oct. 2006)

An even closer view

Source: http://questier.com/Photos/200312_India/
(downloaded Dec. 2004)

A visitor enters the complex

Source:  Courtesy of Prof. Frederick Asher, Univ. of Minn., October 1999

An elephant by the gate of a gopuram

Source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/byronic501/136450805/in/set-72057594120197875/
(downloaded Oct. 2006)

A gopuram adorned with giant statues

Source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/byronic501/135980478/in/set-72057594120197875/
(downloaded Oct. 2006)

*A temple guardian shelters two mynah birds*

Source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/byronic501/138918156/in/set-72057594120197875/
(downloaded Oct. 2006)

The photographer calls this one "River of Ghee" (and notice the inscriptions too)

Source: http://www.indiamike.com/photopost/showphoto.php/photo/8904/cat/501
(downloaded Sept. 2005)

"Virtually every Indian temple has these drain spouts leading out of the center of the temple where the main idols are found. The runoff is from the water used to bathe the statues; this is done both for ritual purposes and for the practical need to clean off any ghee, paint or other materials applied to the statue before the new day's rituals commence. This runoff is largely water and ghee from an immense lingam in the Brihadishwara Temple in Thanjavur.  --Ian McAllister" (*more of his photos*)

*"A group of men and women were rebuilding portions of the wall near the main entry gate"*

Source: http://www.indiamike.com/photopost/showphoto.php/photo/9103/cat/501
(downloaded Oct. 2005)