Gangaikonda cholapuram Brihadiswarar Koil - Siva Temple
Gangaikonda cholapuram was made the capital of the Cholas by Rajendra I, Raja Raja
Chola's son. The entire city with its forts, palaces, halls, tanks,
parks, etc. was laid to commemorate his victorious march to the Gangetic plains in the North,
to bring the waters of the Ganges. The crowning feature was the Gangaikondacholisvarar temple also known as the Brihadeeswara
temple on the model of the Peria koil in Tanjavur.
It is located in a village near Jayankondam in Ariyalur district, Tamilnadu.
Only a portion
of the great temple remains now. The stones from portions were taken
to build the Lower Anaicut across the Kollidam. The vimana is smaller than
at the peria koil, with few storeys but excels in the bold sculptural details.
The distinctive
features are the beautiful stone sculptures on the niches, the Simhakeni
- a circular well with a lion adorning the entrance, the bull found on
a pedestal inside the court, facing the main sanctum.
Some of the
stone sculptures on the niches - Nataraja, Dakshinamurthy, Harahari, Lingodbhava,
Vishnu, Brahma, Mahishasuramardhini, Gnana Saraswathi, Chandes anugrahamurthi.
The last sculpture depicts Chandeswar being crowned by Siva and Parvathi.
It is said that King Rajendra did not want his own sculpture anywhere in
the temple. The clever sculptor created this sculpture, as if the
king was himself being crowned by Siva.
The temple is now under the control of ASI and the HR&CE and has been declared as a world heritage
monument.
Great Living Chola Temples
- The Great Living Chola Temples were built by kings of the Chola
Empire, which stretched over all of south India and the neighbouring
islands. The site includes three great 11th- and 12th-century Temples:
the Brihadisvara Temple at Thanjavur, the Brihadisvara Temple at
Gangaikondacholisvaram and the Airavatesvara Temple at Darasuram. The
Temple of Gangaikondacholisvaram, built by Rajendra I, was completed in
1035. Its 53-m vimana (sanctum tower) has recessed corners and a
graceful upward curving movement, contrasting with the straight and
severe tower at Thanjavur. The Airavatesvara temple complex, built by
Rajaraja II, at Darasuram features a 24-m vimana and a stone image of
Shiva. The temples testify to the brilliant achievements of the Chola in
architecture, sculpture, painting and bronze casting.
Source: whc.unesco.org
For details
on the temple visit
tamilartsacademy.com
Gangaikonda cholapuram, Shiva temple
Gangaikonda cholapuram, Shiva temple
Gangaikonda cholapuram, Shiva temple
Gangaikonda cholapuram, Shiva temple
Gangaikonda cholapuram, Shiva temple
Gangaikonda cholapuram, Shiva temple
Gangaikonda cholapuram, Shiva temple
Gangaikonda cholapuram, Shiva temple
Gangaikonda cholapuram, Shiva temple
Gangaikonda cholapuram, Shiva temple
Gangaikonda cholapuram, Shiva temple
Gangaikonda cholapuram, Shiva temple
Gangaikonda cholapuram, Shiva temple
Gangaikonda cholapuram, Shiva temple
Gangaikonda cholapuram, Shiva temple
Gangaikonda cholapuram, Shiva temple
Gangaikonda cholapuram, Shiva temple
Gangaikonda cholapuram, Shiva temple
Gangaikonda cholapuram, Shiva temple
Gangaikonda cholapuram, Shiva temple
Gangaikonda cholapuram, Shiva temple
Gangaikonda cholapuram, Shiva temple
Gangaikonda cholapuram, Shiva temple
Gangaikonda cholapuram, Shiva temple
Gangaikonda cholapuram, Shiva temple
Gangaikonda cholapuram, Shiva temple
Gangaikonda cholapuram, Shiva temple
Gangaikonda cholapuram, Shiva temple
Gangaikonda cholapuram, Shiva temple
Gangaikonda cholapuram, Shiva temple
Gangaikonda cholapuram, Shiva temple
Gangaikonda cholapuram, Shiva temple
Gangaikonda cholapuram, Shiva temple
Gangaikonda cholapuram, Shiva temple
Gangaikonda cholapuram, Shiva temple
Gangaikonda cholapuram, Shiva temple
Gangaikonda cholapuram, Shiva temple
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