Gangaikonda Cholapuram - A UNESCO HERITAGE SITE

 

Gangaikonda Chola puram was built by the Chola king Rajendra Chola I to celebrate his victory in the Ganges region. A large temple for the god Shiva was built there, and it became one of the biggest temples in history. The main god worshipped in the temple is called Bragadeeshwarar.

This place is a small village near Jeyamkondam in the Ariyalur district, about 125 kilometres from Trichy International Airport. In the year 1025 A.D., it became the capital of the Chola dynasty. Today, it is a quiet village, mostly known for its huge and beautiful temple.

The temple has a grand entrance and amazing stone carvings that impress visitors. The Chola Empire once spread as far as the Tungabhadra River in South India. To manage such a large empire, the king made Gangaikonda Chola puram the capital. The temple here is similar in style to the famous Bragadeeshwarar temple in Thanjavur, but it is smaller and more detailed. Both temples are among the largest in South India.



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