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It is considered as one of the most important of the 108 main Vishnu temples (Divyadesams).
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It is Vaishnava temple built in Tamil or Dravidian style of architecture.
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It is located on an islet formed by twin rivers: Coleroon and Cauvery.
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The temple complex is situated in sprawling ground of more than 156 acres.
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The temple and 1000 pillared hall were constructed in the Vijayanagar period (1336–1565) on the site of an older temple.
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It has seven prakaras or enclosures.
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Its Gopuram also called as “Raja Gopuram is the biggest gopuram in Asia.
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It annually hosts 21-day festival during the Tamil month of Margazhi (between December and January) which attracts over 1 million visitors.
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Why in news? UNESCO Award of Merit awarded to it. The award of merit was awarded by UNESCO Asia Pacific region for the reconstruction activities undertaken in temple without affecting its traditional splendour and Vedic rituals.