The Great Living Chola Temples were constructed by the rulers of the Chola Empire, which covered all of south India and the surrounding islands.
The Brihadisvara Temple in Thanjavur, the Brihadisvara Temple in Gangaikondacholisvaram, and the Airavatesvara Temple in Darasuram are three magnificent temples from the 11th and 12th centuries that can be seen on the site. Rajendra I finished construction on the Gangaikondacholisvaram Temple in 1035.
Rajaraja II constructed the Airavatesvara temple complex at Darasuram, which includes a Shiva statue made of stone and a 24-m-tall vimana. The temples serve as evidence of the Chola’s remarkable accomplishments in construction, sculpture, painting, and bronze casting.
The three Chola temples of Southern India represent outstanding creative achievement in the form of the Dravidan type of temple. The Brihadisvara Temple at Thanjavur became the first great example of the Chola temples.
The three Great Chola Temples are an exceptional testimony to the development of the architecture of the Chola Empire and the Tamil civilization in Southern India. The Great Chola temples at Thanjavur, at Gangaikondacholapuram and Darasuram, are outstanding examples of architecture and representation of the Chola ideology.
Brihadeshwara Temple is one of the biggest South Indian temples and an example of a fully realized Dravidian architecture. Built by Tamil King Raja Raja Chola I, between 1003 and 1010 AD, the temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with other temples known as the “Great Living Chola Temples”.
The vimana tower above the sanctum is one of the tallest in South India. The temple has a massive colonnaded prakara (corridor) and one of the largest Shiva lingas in India. The temple is one of the most visited tourist attractions in Tamil Nadu.
Further reading and suggested videos :
Do you like this topic? Find out more!