Chola Temples - Informative & researched article on Chola Temples

Indian Monuments

in
Art & Culture | Entertainment | Health | Reference
| Sports | Society | Travel
Forum | RSS Feeds | Free E-magazine
Indian Monuments : Indian Monuments l Palaces of India l Indian Buddhist Sites l
Arts in India l Historical Buildings in Rajasthan l Indian Historical Monuments
l World Heritage Monuments in India l Indian Religious Monuments l Indian Regio
nal Monuments l Indian Monasteries
Home > Art & Culture > Indian Monuments > World Heritage Monuments in India > Wo
rld Heritage Monuments in the South India > Chola Temples
Chola Temples
This site comprises of the three great 11th and 12th century Chola temples and i
s declared as a World Heritage Site.

The Great Living Chola Temples are situated in the southern state of Tamil Nadu
that were built during the Chola rule in the south of India. The Cholas were gre
at patrons of art, during their reign; as a result, the most magnificent temples
and exquisite bronze icons were created in South India. This site also comprise
s of the three great 11th and 12th century Chola Temples: the Brihadisvara templ
es of Thanjavur, the Temple of Gangaikondacholisvaram, and the Airavatesvara tem
ple at Darasuram.
The Brihadisvara Temple was declared by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 1987;
the Temple of Gangaikondacholisvaram and the Airavatesvara Temple at Darasuram
were added as extensions to the site in 2004. These three Chola temples of South
ern India represent an outstanding creative achievement in the architectural con
ception of the pure form of the Dravida type of temple. Together these temples a
re now known as the "Great Living Chola Temples".
Brihadisvara Temple: This temple is a creation of the Chola emperor Rajaraja (AD
985-1012), designed by the famous architect Sama Varma between 1003 and 1010 AD
. Made from blocks of granite and, in part, from bricks, this temple is crowned
by a pyramidal 65-m vimana, a sanctum tower. The temple stands within a fort, wh
ose walls are later additions built in the 16th century. The towering vimanam is
about 200 feet in height and is referred to as Dakshina Meru.
Surrounded by two rectangular enclosures, the Brihadisvara Temple is crowned wit
h a pyramidal 13-storey tower, the vimana, standing 61 m high and topped with a
bulb-shaped monolith. It is within a spacious inner prakara of 240.90m long (eas
t-west) and 122m broad (north-south), with a gopura at the east and three other
ordinary torana entrances on at each lateral side and the third at rear. The gop
urams are flanked by two huge guardian figures, and various Shiva legends are re
presented in the carvings. The inner gopuram is the Brihadeeswarar temple, encir
cled by sea monster heads and topped by a protective monster mask. The prakara i
s surrounded by a double-storeyed malika and parivaralayas.
The sikhara, a cupola dome, is octagonal and rests on a single block of granite,
a square of 7.8m weighing 80 tons. The majestic upapitha and adhishthana is com
mon to all the axially placed entities like the ardhamaha and mukha-mandapas and
linked to the main sanctum but approached through a north-south transept across
the ardha-mandapa, which is marked by lofty sopanas. Its royal builder extensiv
ely engraves the molded plinth with inscriptions. The Nandi, which dates back to
 the Nayak period, is housed in its own mandapam and it matches up to the grande
ur and size of the temple. It is a monolithic Nandi weighing about 25 tonnes, an
d is about 12 feet high and 20 feet long.
The brihad-linga within the sanctum is 8.7m high, representing the main deity wo
rshipped at the temple, Shiva, also known as Brihadeeswarar. The grace and grand
eur of this temple has been matched by very few and within the temple are many a
mazing sculptures, bronzes, and frescos; all being excellent examples of the art
and history of the Chola period. Worth noting are three large Shiva sculptures
- one dancing, one holding a spear, and one holding a trident, as well as many m
urals of Shiva in his various manifestations. One good example being Tripurantak
amurti, which shows Shiva as the destroyer of three cities. The other life-size
iconographic representations, with rich sculptural decorations on the wall niche
s and inner passages include Durga, Lakshmi, Sarasvati and Bhikshatana, Virabhad
ra, Kalantaka, Natesa, Ardhanarisvara and Alingana forms of Siva.
Another remarkable feature of the temple is the great Nandi (bull). Thus, the wa
lls house long pillared corridors, which abound in murals, Shiva Lingams and Nan
dis. The Nandi found at the mandaman (hall) near the temple entrance is immense
in size, and the ceiling of its enclosure is decorated with frescoes in the typi
cal painting style of Thanjavur. The Nandi weighs 27 tonnes, and measuers roughl
y 4 m by 6 m by 2.5 m, making it one of the largest Nandi sculptures in the worl
d. It is said to have been installed later in the 16th Century. A story is told
that the Nandi continued to grow and grow, until finally a nail was driven into
its back and the growth was stopped.
The temple also contains several smaller shrines, with the shrine of Sri Subrama
nya being of notable mention due to it being an excellent example of decorative
architecture, with nearly every inch covered in sculptural detail. Several other
small shrines dot the courtyard, and around the its entirety is a pillared cloi
ster, containing several small shrines in which can be found many lingam, fresco
s and sculptures.
The mural paintings on the walls of the lower ambulatory inside are finest examp
les of Chola and later periods. The walls of the vimana are also inscribed with
100 paragraphs detailing the gifts given by the king and his family toward the c
reation of the temple. From these paragraphs we know that the temple was finishe
d 25 years and 275 days after Rajaraja took power in 975 A D. Upon completion of
the temple, Rajaraja gave the gift of a golden kalasam, or finial, to top the v
imana.
Gangaikondacholisvaram Temple: The second Brihadisvara temple complex built by R
ajendra I, the son and successor of Rajaraja I, was completed in 1035. The templ
e of Gangaikondacholisvaram is approached through the northern entrance from the
road. The passage passes through the enclosure wall and leads on to the inner c
ourt. Its 53-m vimana has recessed corners and a graceful upward curving movemen
t, contrasting with the straight and severe tower at Thanjavur. As it rises to a
height of 160 feet and is shorter than the Tanjavur tower, it is often describe
d as the feminine counterpart of the Tanjavur temple.
The small shire of Chandikesvara is near the steps in the north. In the northeas
t are a shire housing Durga, a well called lion-well (simhakeni) with a lion fig
ure guarding its steps and a late mandapa housing the office. Nandi is in the ea
st facing the main shrine. In the same direction is the ruined gopura, the entra
nce tower. The main tower surrounded by little shrines truly presents the appear
ance of a great Chakravarti (emperor) surrounded by chieftains and vassals.
Airavatesvara Temple: This is a Hindu temple located in the town of Darasuram, n
ear Kumbakonam in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu. The Airavatesvara temple
complex is dedicated to Lord Shiva and the latter is known as Airavateshwara, b
ecause he was worshipped by Airavata and is built by Rajaraja II, at Darasuram.
It has six pairs of massive, monolithic dvarapalas statues guarding the entrance
s and bronzes of remarkable beauty inside. The Airavatesvara temple complex at D
arasuram, built by Rajaraja II, features a 24-m vimana and a stone image of Shiv
a. The temples testify to the Cholas brilliant achievements in architecture, scu
lpture, painting, and bronze casting. The main deity`s consort Periya Nayaki Amm
an temple is situated adjacent to Airavateshwarar temple. The temples testify to
the Cholas brilliant achievements in architecture, sculpture, painting, and bro
nze casting.
It is said that the King of Death, Yama also worshipped Shiva here. Myth has it
that Yama, who was suffering under a Rishi`s curse from a burning sensation all
over the body, was cured by the presiding deity Airavateswarar. Yama took bath i
n the sacred tank and got rid of the burning sensation. Since then the tank has
been known as Yamateertham.
This temple is a storehouse of art and architecture and has some exquisite stone
carvings. The front mandapam is in the form of a huge chariot drawn by horses.
Although this temple is much smaller than the other temples, it is more exquisit
e in detail, since it been built with nitya-vinoda, "perpetual entertainment", i
n mind.

More Articles in World Heritage Monuments in the South India

Charminar Chola Temples
(Last Updated on : 8/01/2009)

Recently Updated Articles in Indian Monuments

Hatheesing Jain Temple
Hatheesing Jain Temple is one of the biggest Jain temples in Ahmedabad. Built ou
tside the Delhi gate this is one of the splendid structures of Ahmedabad which w
as constructed by a Jain Merchant.
Rani Sipri Mosque
Rani Sipri Mosque is one of the oldest mosques in Ahmedabad. Known for its archi
tecture it is often visited by the tourists of Ahmedabad.
Sidi Saiyyed Mosque
Sidi Saiyyed Mosque is one of the famous monuments of Ahmedabad. Built in 1573 t
his is known for splendid architecture and fine filigree work which attract the
tourists from all corners.
Jhulta Minar
Jhulta Minar in Gujarat is mainly known for its swinging architecture and beauti
ful curvatures. It is one of the biggest innovations which attract millions of t
ourist every time.

E-mail this Article | Post a Comment

Forum
Forum on Indian Monuments
Discuss Now
Free E-magazine
Subscribe to Free
E-Magazine on Indian Crafts

Chola Temples - Informative & researched article on Chola Temples

Sitemap
Contact Us | RSS Feeds
Copyright © 2008 Jupiter Infomedia Pvt. Ltd. All rights reserved including the rig
ht to reproduce the contents in whole or in part in any form or medium without t
he express written permission of Jupiter Infomedia Pvt. Ltd.