Gangaikonda Cholapuram Temple

Introduction to the Gangaikonda Cholapuram Temple

Gangaikondacholeswaram Temple, or Gangaikonda Cholapuram Temple, is in the Ariyalur district, Tamilnadu, and forms part of the ' Great Living Chola Temples', UNESCO World Heritage Site. Brihadeeshvara Temple at Thanjavur and Airavatesvara Temple at Darasuram, Kumbakonam, are the other parts of this renowned site. Gangaikonda Cholapuram Temple is also called Arulmigu Peruvudaiyar Temple, a replica of Thanjavur Temple.

History of the Gangaikonda Cholapuram Temple

King Rajendra Chola I built the Gangaikonda Cholapuram Temple in the early 11th century, and he was the son and successor of King Rajaraja Chola. It took nine years for the architects and artisans to build it. The city of Gangaikonda Cholapuram has a prominent place in India's history. During the period of Rajendra Chola I in 1025 CE, Gangaikonda Cholapuram became the capital of the Cholas and served as the capital of the Chola dynasty for about 250 years. The foundation stone of the Gangaikonda Cholapuram Temple was laid in 1020 AD to represent the essence of Shiva. Though the Mughals partly destroyed the Gangaikonda Cholapuram Temple during their invasion of India, it still holds national importance under the Ancient Monuments and Archeological Sites and Remains Act 1958.

The Architecture of the Gangaikonda Cholapuram Temple

The Gangaikonda Cholapuram Temple is one of the largest temples, sprawling on six acres of land. It enshrines Shiva as the presiding deity and features a Dravidian style of architecture. The main Gopuram is 55 m tall. The temple has a nine-story Vimana, towering 182 feet high over the sanctum and the second biggest after the Thanjavur Big Temple. There are two enclosures surrounding the Vimana. Most enclosure walls were destroyed, and granite rocks were used to construct a dam during the British period. The Archeological Survey of India renovated and restored the Vimana. This temple is built on an elevated structure with a 170 m high and 98 m wide courtyard. The Gangaikonda Cholapuram Temple structure is built at a height of 54.86 m. Two walls encircle the sanctum to provide a private worship area for the royal family. The beautiful image of Saraswati adorns the majestic entrance of the sanctum.

The presiding deity, Shiva, is in phallic form in the sanctum. It is the biggest Shiva Lingam in South India, which is 13.5 feet tall. There is a unique idol of Shiva in the form of Ardhanarishvara (half masculine, half feminine), which reflects the existence of duality in divine energy. Beautiful Suryapita and Navagraha sculptures adorn the temple.

The cosmic image of Shiva, the symbolic representation of the planetary deity Sun, the sculpted version of Parvati, and the dancing form of Ganesha are the other notable masterpieces in the sanctum.

Chandrakanta, a rare stone, has been installed under the sanctum, which tends to keep the sanctum warm in winter and cool in summer.

Nandi, the divine vehicle of Shiva, is also bigger than Thanjavur's Big Temple Nandi. It is made of limestone and placed on the ground 200 meters from the sanctum. The sunlight that falls on Nandi everyday reflects on Shiva in the sanctum.

Mother Periya Nayaki is a 9.5-foot-high statue standing majestically. Durga in the Gangaikonda Cholapuram Temple graces the devotees as a nine-year-old girl with twenty arms, killing demon Mahishasur. She was the family deity of King Rajendra Chola. Incredible sculptures, carvings, and rich and intricate artistry make the Gangaikonda Cholapuram Temple a famous historical spot. People can see the history of all Chola Kings inscribed on the copper plates and the temple walls.

Festivals in the Gangaikonda Cholapuram Temple

Maha Shivratri, Panguni Utsav, Margazhi Tiruvadhirai, and full moon days in Aippasi (October-November) are the festivals celebrated in the Gangaikonda Cholapuram Temple.