BRIHADEESWARARTEMPLE, GANGAIKONDA CHOLAPURAM,ARIYALUR DISTRICT- TAMILNADU-COMPILED
Dear friends, The Gangaikonda Cholapuram Temple, also known asBrihadeeswarar Temple, Gangaikonda Cholapuram, is a magnificent example ofDravidian architecture located in Ariyalur district, Tamil Nadu. Built byRajendra Chola I, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a part of the"Great Living Chola Temples". The temple is dedicated to Lord Shivaand is known for its intricate sculptures, towering structure, and historicalsignificance. During his recent visit toTamil Nadu on July 27th, 2025, Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi visited the Brihadeeswara Templeat Gangaikonda Cholapuram. PM Mr Modi attendedthe Aadi Thiruvathirai Festival at the temple. The festival celebrated the1000th anniversary of Rajendra Chola I's maritime expedition to Southeast Asia.During the visit, a commemorative coin honouring Rajendra Chola I was releasedby PM Modi. This UNESCO World Heritagesite is a primeexample of Chola architecture and was built by Rajendra Chola I to celebratehis victories. Today my posting is about this Temple. Hope a divine reading. Gopalakrishnan 20-08-2025 Key Features: UNESCO World Heritage Site: Recognized for its architecturaland historical value, it is part of the "Great Living Chola Temples". Dravidian Architecture: The temple showcases thecharacteristic features of this style, including towering structures andintricate carvings. Rajendra Chola I:Built by Rajendra Chola I, son of Raja Raja Chola I (who builtthe Thanjavur temple), to commemorate his victories. Dedicated to Lord Shiva: The temple is primarily dedicated toLord Shiva and is one of the largest Shiva temples in South India. Rich Sculptures: The temple is adorned with elaboratesculptures and artwork, reflecting the artistic achievements of the Cholaperiod. Towering Structure: The main temple tower reaches a height of 55 meters, atestament to the architectural prowess of the Chola dynasty. Additional Information: The temple is located in Gangaikonda Cholapuram, which wasthe capital of the Chola dynasty for over 250 years. The temple's design is similar to the Brihadeeswarar Templein Thanjavur, but it is smaller and more refined in its details. The temple is a popular destination for tourists and devoteesinterested in history, architecture, and spirituality. Introduction The Brihadisvara Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Shivain Gangaikonda Cholapuram, Jayankondam,in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Completed in 1035 CE by Rajendra Chola I as a part of hisnew capital, this Chola dynasty era temple is similar in design, and hasa similar name, as the older 11th century, Brihadeeswarar Temple about 70kilometres (43 mi) to the southwest in Thanjavur. The Gangaikonda CholapuramTemple is smaller yet more refined than the Thanjavur Temple. Both are amongthe largest Shiva temples in South India and examples of Dravidian styletemples. Legend After his victory of Northern stated , Rajendra Chola 1demanded that the defeated kingdoms send pots of Ganges River water and pour itinto the well of this temple. Rajendra I, according to Tamil tradition,thereafter assumed the name of Gangaikonda Cholan, meaning the one whoconquered the Ganges History The temple was constructed in 1035 CE by Rajendra Chola I(1012-44 CE), the son of the famous Chola king Raja Raja Chola I, who built theBrihadeeswarar Temple at Thanjavur. Rajendra wanted to emulate the temple built by his father after hisvictory in a campaign across India that Chola era texts state coveredKarnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and Bengal. After his victory, hedemanded that the defeated kingdoms send pots of Ganges River water and pourthem into the temple's well. The well was originally called Cholagangam as itwas filled with water from Ganges. Rajendra I, as is Tamil tradition, then assumed the nameGangaikonda Cholan, meaning the one who conquered the Ganges. He establishedGangaikonda Cholapuram as his capital from the earlier Chola capital ofThanjavur. Gangaikonda Cholapuram remained the Chola capital for thenext 250 years. Rajendra I built the entire capital with several templesusing plans and infrastructure recommended in Tamil Vastu and Agama Sastratexts. These included aDharma Sasta, Vishnu and other temples. However, these structures weredestroyed in the late 13th and 14th centuries except this temple. The otherChola landmarks, clearly shown by soil covered mounds and excavated brokenpillar stumps and brick walls, are found over a large area nearby. The earliestinscription that mentions this city by name is dated 1029, while the earliestreference to Rajendra I's expedition towards the Ganges river in the north isdated 1023. The first gift to the newly built Gangaikonda Cholapuram temple isdated 1035. Rajendra I, states Dehejia, must have involved the samecraftsmen used by his father and transferred them from Thanjavur.[20] Most orall of the Chola kings from Rajendra I had their coronation at GangaikondaCholapuram. Archaeological excavations have revealed fort wallsand palace remains a few kilometers from this temple. It is believed that KulottungaChola I, Rajendra's successor, built fortifications around the city. The reasons for thecity's destruction are unclear. According to Vasanthi, the Pandyas who defeated the Cholas during thelater part of 13th-century "may have razed the city to ground" toavenge their previous defeats. However, it is unclear why other temples were destroyedand this temple was spared, as well as why there are around twenty inscriptionsfrom later Cholas, Pandyas and Vijayanagar Empires indicating various gifts andgrants to this temple if they previously razed this place. An alternative theory links the destruction to the raids,plunder and wars, particularly with the invasion of the capital city and theterritories, that were earlier a part of the Chola and Madurai Empires, by thearmies of the Delhi Sultanate led by the Muslim commander Malik Kafur in 1311,followed by Khusrau Khan in 1314, and Muhammad bin Tughlaq in 1327. The period that followed saw wars between the Hindu kings and the Muslimsultans who succeeded the Delhi Sultanate and carved out new states such as thenearby Madurai Sultanate (1335–1378). The Vijayanagar Empiredefeated the Madurai Sultanate in 1378 and this temple, along with other Cholaera temples, then returned to the control of Hindu kings who repairedand restored many of them. Like the Thanjavur temple, this temple is also believed tohave emerged as a centre of social, economic and political activities. Culturalactivities like music, dance and art in the form of bronzes were encouraged andstaged in the temple. The temple was added tothe list of Great Living Chola Temples in the year 2004. All three temples were built by theCholas between the 10th and 12th centuries CE and have many similarities. TheArchaeological Survey of India (ASI) made additions to the shopping and visitorattraction offices in the temple in 2009 that included a museum, restaurant,shops and restrooms underthe aegis of the Hindu Religious and Endowment Board of the Government of TamilNadu. Thetemples are classified as Great Living Chola Temples as they are still visited,worshiped in and used as they were when they were constructed. The millennium celebration of thecoronation of the Rajendra Chola was celebrated in the temple over two daysduring July 2014. Architecture Gangaikonda Cholapuram Temple is built in Dravidianarchitecture with a square plan. The original courtyard is two squares stackednext to each other, all mandapas, the upapitham, the shrine plans, the Garbhagriha (sanctum) and the tower elements are all square shaped and incorporatecircles and principles of geometric symmetry. The structural elements resemble the big BrihadisvaraTemple in Thanjavur. Both include a courtyard entered through multiple gatewaysand relatively small gopuram (tower). Inside are shrines, most of which arealigned on an east–west axis; a few are perpendicular. The temple complex includes Nandi Mandapa, AlankarMandapa, Maha Mandapa, Mukha Mandapa and Ardha Mandapa. Some of these were added and restored by Hindu kingdoms afterthe 14th century or by British India art conservation officials in the 19thcentury. The temple is one of the earliest ones to have pillaredhalls, which became a common feature in subsequent temples. The main temple is builton an elevated structure with the courtyard measuring 560 ft by 320 ft. Its sanctum measures 100 sq. ft andis entered through the Ardha Mandapa. The sanctum doorway is flanked bydvarapalas, the guardians, each 6 ft tall. The sanctum containsBrihadeeswarar (Shiva) in the form of lingam. Thislingam is 13 ft tall and the base has a circumference of 59 ft There is an image of a seated Nandi bull in the courtyard,aligned axially 200 m facing the sanctum. There are five shrinesaround the sanctum and a Lionwell, which was added during the 19th century. The temple site has amonolithic representation of Navagraha,the nine planetary deities. The vimanam (sanctum tower) is 55 m (180 ft) high, which is 3m (9.8 ft) smaller than the Thanjavur Temple. Historiansbelieve that the height of the temple is deliberately kept low in dimensionscompared to the Thanjavur temple as a mark of respect of Rajendra to hisfather's masterpiece. Sculptures There are about fifty sculptural reliefs around the walls ofthe sanctum, three of which — Nataraja, Saraswati and Shiva garlanding adevotee — being the most prominent. There is a shrine for Shaiva saint andscholar Chandeshvara (one of the sixty-three Nayanars). There are other nichesaround the temple walls depicting various forms of Shiva, Durga and Vishnu.There are many bronze statues in the temple depicting Chola art of the 11thcentury, with the one of Kartikeya being the most recognisable. One relief includes a most unusual portrait of a Hindu rulerwho built the temple. Shiva, with Parvati beside him, hands down a garland offlowers to mark his victory to a diminutive seated figure of Rajendra I. Deities The main temple dedicatedto Shiva is based on a square plan, but it displays other Hindu deities such as Vishnu, Durga, Surya, Harihara,Ardhanarishvara, and others. It opens to the sunrise and its sanctum, as wellas the mandapas, are aligned on an east–west axis. In addition to the mainshrine, the temple complex has a number of smaller shrines, gopura, and othermonuments, with some partially ruined or restored in later centuries. The temple is famed for its bronzesculptures, artwork on its walls, the depiction of Nandi and the scaleof its tower. As well as its notability for having been built by Rajendra I,the temple is also noteworthy for its numerous inscriptions, although none ofthem are his. Except for this temple, the old city of GangaikondaCholapuram – the capital of a powerful Asian empire from around 900 to 1215 orover three centuries along with its other major Chola-era Hindu temples havebeen completely destroyed, leaving a desolate place. Poojas and festivals The GangaikondaCholapuram temple remains an active temple. Four daily rituals, and many yearly festivals are heldthere. Though it is administered by the ASI as a monument, worship practises are followedsimilar to those at other Shiva temples in Tamil Nadu. The temple follows Saivite tradition and the temple priestsperform the pooja (rituals) during festivals and daily basis. The temple rituals are performed four times a day: Kalasanthiat 8:30 a.m., Uchikalam at 12:30 p.m., Sayarakshai at 6:00 p.m., and Arthajamam between 7:30 –8:00p.m. Each ritual has three steps: alangaram (decoration),neivethanam (food offering) and deepa aradanai (waving of lamps) for bothBrihadeeswarar and Periya Nayagi. There are weekly, monthly and fortnightlyrituals performed in the temple. It is one of the mostvisited tourist attractions in Tamil Nadu. The Archaeological Survey ofIndia (ASI) administers the temple as a protected heritage monument.UNESCO declared it a World Heritage Site in 2004, along with the BrihadeeswararTemple at Thanjavur and Airavatesvara temple at Darasuram. These are referredto collectively as the Great Living Chola Temples. The temple has manyfestivals in its calendar, with the Shivarathri during the Tamil month of Masi (February–March),Aipassi Pournami during Aipassi (October–November) and Thiruvadirai duringMargazhi (December–January) being the most prominent. Annabhishekam, theablution of the presiding deity with cooked rice is performed during Aipasifestival. Location The Brihadeeswarar Temple is located near the village ofGangaikonda Cholapuram, about 280 kilometres (170 mi) southwest of Chennai and50 kilometres (31 mi) from Chidambaram. Roughly 70 kilometres (43 mi) to thenortheast is the similarly named Chola dynasty era Brihadeeswarar Temple inThanjavur, and is about 30 kilometres (19 mi) to the northeast of theAiravatesvara Temple. All three are UNESCO world heritage sites. The temple is on Highway81 connecting Tiruchirappalli and Chidambaram. The nearby city of Chidambaram is connected to othermajor cities by daily trains on the Indian railway network, Tamil Nadu busservices and National Highways 36, 81, and 245. The nearest airport withregular services is Tiruchirappalli International Airport about 120 kilometres away. Though inland, the temple is near the Kollidam River, withinthe Cauveri River delta with access to the Bay of Bengal and through it to theIndian Ocean. My note- While travellingin Train, the temple tower is visibly seen near Ariyalur. Ariyalur is a very hot place.Ariyalur is under Trichy Telecom, where I worked as Deputy Divisional Engineer during 1979-1980. Temple timings The temple is open from 6:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m. and 4:00p.m.–9:00 p.m. every day. Are Thanjavur andGangaikonda Cholapuram the same? No, Thanjavurand Gangaikonda Cholapuram are not the same. Thanjavur is the name of a city and also the location of thefamous Brihadeeswarar Temple, while Gangaikonda Cholapuram was a cityestablished by Rajendra Chola I as his capital, and it also houses anotherBrihadeeswarar Temple. Both temples are part of the "Great Living CholaTemples" UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here's a more detailed explanation: Thanjavur:This is a city in Tamil Nadu, India, known for theBrihadeeswarar Temple, also known as the Big Temple, built by Rajaraja Chola I. Gangaikonda Cholapuram: This was the capital city of theChola dynasty established by Rajendra Chola I, son of Rajaraja Chola I. It isalso home to a Brihadeeswarar Temple, built by Rajendra Chola I. Great Living Chola Temples: This UNESCO World Heritage siteincludes three temples: the Brihadeeswarar Temple in Thanjavur, theBrihadeeswarar Temple in Gangaikonda Cholapuram, and the Airavatesvara Templein Darasura What is the differencebetween Gangaikonda Cholapuram temple and Brihadeshwara temple at Tanjore? The Brihadeeswarar Temple in Thanjavur and the BrihadeeswararTemple in Gangaikonda Cholapuram are both magnificent Chola-era temples dedicated to Lord Shiva, butthey have distinct characteristics. The Thanjavur temple, also known as the "BigTemple," is older, larger, and considered grander, while the Gangaikonda Cholapuramtemple is slightly smaller but noted for its refined design and intricatesculptures. While smaller than the Thanjavur temple, it is still alarge temple and features a 55-meter tall vimana. In essence: Both temples are dedicated to Lord Shiva and aremasterpieces of Chola architecture. The Thanjavur temple is older, larger, and more imposing,while the Gangaikonda Cholapuram temple is known for its refined design andintricate details. Both are UNESCO WorldHeritage sites, part of the "Great Living Chola Temple -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Thatha_Patty" group. 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