GANGAIKONDA CHOLAPURAM

Rajendra Chola-I was the son of Raja Raja Chola-I, who built the world famous Tanjore Brihadeeswarar Temple.  Rajendra Chola-I built the city, Gangaikonda Cholapuram to commemorate his victory over the kings on the banks of river Ganga. He later shifted his capital from Tanjore to Gangaikonda Cholapuram for administrative reasons. It is said that Rajendra Chola-I was the first Indian King to take his armies overseas and conquered territories up to Burma and Indo-China.

He built a Shiva Temple at his new capital. The temple is a replica of Tanjore Brihadeeswarar Temple, built by his father but smaller in size. He also named it BRIHADEESWARAR TEMPLE. Like the Tanjore big temple, the shadow of the kalasa atop the gopuram does not fall on the ground. The temple is spread over an area of six acres and dates back to 11^th Century.

The main entrance situated on the eastern side, looks to be in ruins without gopuram and compound walls. It is learnt that the British engineers were responsible for its present state. In 1896, the British engineers dismantled the gopuram and the compound walls and used the granite stones for constructing a dam called “LOWER ANICUT” across the river KOLLIDAM, a tributary of river Cauvery, some five kilometres from the temple.

Rajendra Chola-I was famous for creating images of rock-cut rathas. His expertise can be seen here. The whole temple looks like a ratha with huge wheels and drawn by elephants.

A big Nandhi of 15 feet in length, 8 feet width and 11 feet height erected on a high platform facing the main sanctum greets the visitors. Stone steps have been provided on either side which lead into a big mantapam supported by 153 pillars. A passage has been created to reach the sanctum. At the foot of each pillar on either of the passage, a fairly deep hole has been carved. It appears that these holes were filled with oil and a wick used as oil lamps for light. At the end of the matapam there is an entrance on either side with stone steps. This seems to be the entrance for a private worship for the royal families. Beyond the private worship area is the main sanctum with a huge Shivalingam. This Shivalingam is considered as the largest in entire South India, measures four feet high.

Both the inner and outer walls of the temple adores the most beautiful mind blowing images. The statue of Goddess Saraswathi at the private worship entrance and the big images of DWARAPALAKAS at other entrances look life-like, even today. Many stories of Puranas have been engraved on the walls of the temple without leaving a vacant spot. In totality, the temple is an architectural wonder.

It is also said that the king Rajendra Chola-I brought Ganga water on 108 elephants for the Abhisheka of the Shivalingam. He also poured Ganga water into a lake constructed by him and named it CHOLAGANGAM. The lake is now being called “PONNERI” and used for irrigation, even today.

A day is not enough to admire the beauty of this temple. It will be of great help, if the services of trained guides are provided here.  Gangaikonda Cholapuram is 71 Kms from Tanjore and 38 Kms from Kumbakonam. It is well connected with buses.  Private cabs are also available in plenty at Tanjore and Kumbakonam.  The place once flourished as a capital city, is now left with just a few shops around the temple.