Great Living Chola Temples

Three temples comprise the great living Chola temples namely the Brihadisvara temples in Thanjavur that was built in the 11th century, the Brihadisvara temple in Gangaikondacholisvaram built in the 11th century and the Airavateswara temple at Darasuram built in the 12th century.

• The Brihadisvara temple at Thanjavur was built by the potent ruler of the Chola dynasty, King Rajaraja chola in the 10th century AD. This temple is a mirror to the exquisite Dravidian architecture and the paintings, letters and the inscription on the temple walls speak of the rich cultural heritage and high literary progress under this dynamic ruler.
  
  
• The Brihadisvara temple at Gangaikondacholisvaram was built by another erstwhile leader King Rajendhra Chola, son of Rajaraja Chola between 1020 and 1029 AD. The king after conquering Madurai and Ellum extended his territory till here and carried water from the river Ganges to purify the local water body thus giving this place the name Gangaikondacholisvaram. He later went on establish his capital in this place and also built a temple resembling the structure of the Brihadisvara temple at Thanjavur. This temple though a little smaller when compared to the temple at Thanjavur reflects the Chalukya architecture and also portrays the Pallava and Chola dynasties. The temple was damaged during the wars and was also used as garrison by the Pandya rulers and later on by the British.
  
  
• Airavateswara temple at Darasuram was built by King Rajaraja chola II and is a true representation of the chola dynasty.
  

These three temples have been declared as a world heritage site by UNESCO. The Brihadisvara temple at Thanjavur was declared as a world heritage site in the year 1987 and the other two temples were declared as world heritage sites in the year 2004.

• The vimanam or the temple tower is the biggest in the world and measures to a height of seventy meters. The sigaram also known as the crown weighs around 82 tons and is an octagonal cupola carved from a single stone, though the air of argument is yet lasting on this fact. The Periya koil or the main temple stands inside a fort and is adorned by this temple tower.
  
  
• The main deity of the temple is Shivaling a form of Lord Shiva measuring to a height of 8.7 meters. This Shivaling is the largest in the world.
  
  
• The stone bull Nandhi is another attractive feature and weighs 27 tons. This Nandhi is the second largest in the world and its size is truly breathtaking. The area in which the Nandhi is covered by a ceiling includes artwork in the archetypal Thanjavur style.
  
  
• Life size idols of Goddess Lakshmi, Durga and Saraswathi can be found on the walls of the inner passage. There are idols of Lord Nataraja and Ardhanariswara too. The granite structure of the temple is elaborate and grand. The painting and the murals all speak of the Chola dynasty and their love for art and architecture.
  

• This temple is an extension to the passion of architecture held by the King Rajaraja Chola. King Rajendhra Chola has taken all efforts in replicating the work of the Thanjavur Brihadisvara temple here. This temple is a little shorter when compared to the one in Thanjavur and depicts the Chalukya style of architecture and is built on southern granite.
  
  
• A ruined gopura greets people at the inner wall of the temple complex; the gopuras of the outer walls were ransacked long back.
  
  
• The Nandhi can be seen as you enter the temple though it is not as large as the one at Tanjavur. Forms of Lord Nataraja, dancing Ganesha, the coronation of King Rajendhra chola by Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi and Ardhanarisa are beautifully carved.
  
  
• The inner sanctum sanctorum has a Shivalinga that measures 5 meters in height. The sanctum is surrounded by two and was used as a private worship place by the Royal family.
  

• The vimana or tower of this temple holds a lot of interest and measures 24 meters in height.
  
  
• The main idol housed in this temple is that of Lord Shiva.