Gangaikonda Cholapuram Temple
Temple Gopuram and Nandi
Rajendra Chola was born to King Rajaraja Chola and Queen Tribhuvana Madevi on the Margazhi Tiruvadhirai day. He was named Maduranthakan. He ruled from 1012 to 1044 AD and he conquered many countries crossing the sea including Kadaram and came to be known as Kadaram Kondan – Conqueror of Kadaram.
He decided to build a temple for Lord Shiva as his father did in Thanjavur and named the Lord and Mother Brihadeeswarar and Periyanayaki as in the first temple.
The Kings defeated by him in the war should get Abhisheka water from Ganges for Consecration and because of this practice the place is named as Gangai Konda Chola Puram.
While performing the Abhishekam in the Temple, the abhisheka water will flow to a well built in the Temple. A lion statute is also placed in the well to symbolize the Chola dynasty.
The Shiva Lingam in this Temple is the biggest in size among the Lingas in Tamilnadu and the entire temple is built with rocks. The Nandi is approx. 200 meters away from the Sanctum. When the sunlight falls on the Nandi each day, it reflects on the Shiva Lingam directly and No artificial lights are required in this Temple and all the devotees can see and pray the God in the reflection of the Sunlight. This is one of the rare skills of sculptors of Tamilnadu with no parallel elsewhere.
Chandrakanta Stone is erected under the Shiva Lingam hence the sanctum is cool in summer and warm during winter. This is experienced by generations of priests of the temple. The shadow of the Kalasa on the Tower does not fall on the ground.
The Shiva Lingam in the temple is 13.5 feet tall and it is bigger than the one at Thanjavur Temple (12.5 feet). The Nandi is also bigger than the Thanjavur Temple and it is made of lime stone and placed on the ground level.
The goddess Mother Periyanayaki is tall and big in size and the devotees have to raise their heads to worship the Mother to see her merciful face.
The Navagraha’s or the nine planets are together on a lotus shaped peeta made of a single stone. The planets are around the Sun on a Ratha drawn by 7 horses.
The king Rajendra Chola used to offer his worship first to Mother Durga and then to Lord Shiva. This is followed by many devotees even today.
The Vinayaka here was called as Kanakku Vinayaka and he appears with a pen in his right hand.
Our Two eyes are not sufficient to feel the beauty of this Temple and the Temple premises is maintained well throughout the year.
The Temple is open from Morning 6AM to 12 Noon and from 4PM to 8PM.
More information about the temple can be found in the Wikipedia page about Gangaikonda Cholapuram. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) has declared the Gangaikondacholapuram temple as a "world heritage monument", citing that it is an example of grandeur and excellence of Chola architecture and sculpture.
We Organize Day Tours and Multi-day Tours to Thanjavur from Chennai and Bangalore. Please contact us for the tour details
He decided to build a temple for Lord Shiva as his father did in Thanjavur and named the Lord and Mother Brihadeeswarar and Periyanayaki as in the first temple.
The Kings defeated by him in the war should get Abhisheka water from Ganges for Consecration and because of this practice the place is named as Gangai Konda Chola Puram.
While performing the Abhishekam in the Temple, the abhisheka water will flow to a well built in the Temple. A lion statute is also placed in the well to symbolize the Chola dynasty.
The Shiva Lingam in this Temple is the biggest in size among the Lingas in Tamilnadu and the entire temple is built with rocks. The Nandi is approx. 200 meters away from the Sanctum. When the sunlight falls on the Nandi each day, it reflects on the Shiva Lingam directly and No artificial lights are required in this Temple and all the devotees can see and pray the God in the reflection of the Sunlight. This is one of the rare skills of sculptors of Tamilnadu with no parallel elsewhere.
Chandrakanta Stone is erected under the Shiva Lingam hence the sanctum is cool in summer and warm during winter. This is experienced by generations of priests of the temple. The shadow of the Kalasa on the Tower does not fall on the ground.
The Shiva Lingam in the temple is 13.5 feet tall and it is bigger than the one at Thanjavur Temple (12.5 feet). The Nandi is also bigger than the Thanjavur Temple and it is made of lime stone and placed on the ground level.
The goddess Mother Periyanayaki is tall and big in size and the devotees have to raise their heads to worship the Mother to see her merciful face.
The Navagraha’s or the nine planets are together on a lotus shaped peeta made of a single stone. The planets are around the Sun on a Ratha drawn by 7 horses.
The king Rajendra Chola used to offer his worship first to Mother Durga and then to Lord Shiva. This is followed by many devotees even today.
The Vinayaka here was called as Kanakku Vinayaka and he appears with a pen in his right hand.
Our Two eyes are not sufficient to feel the beauty of this Temple and the Temple premises is maintained well throughout the year.
The Temple is open from Morning 6AM to 12 Noon and from 4PM to 8PM.
More information about the temple can be found in the Wikipedia page about Gangaikonda Cholapuram. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) has declared the Gangaikondacholapuram temple as a "world heritage monument", citing that it is an example of grandeur and excellence of Chola architecture and sculpture.
We Organize Day Tours and Multi-day Tours to Thanjavur from Chennai and Bangalore. Please contact us for the tour details
