Gangaikonda Cholapuram – General Information
Gangaikonda Cholapuram was built during medieval
India and was erected as the capital of the Cholas by Rajendra
Chola I, the son and successor of
Rajaraja Chola, the great Chola who conquered a large area in South
India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Sumatra, Kadaram (Kedah in Malaysia), Cambodia
and others at the beginning of the 11th century A.D. It occupies an important
place in the history of India.
As the capital of the Cholas from about 1025 A.D. for about
250 years, the city controlled the affairs of entire southern India, from
the Tungabhadra in the north to Ceylon in the south and other South East Asian countries.
As of 2014, the ancient city exists as a small forlorn village in the Ariyalur
district of Tamil Nadu, India.
The great temple of Siva at this place is next only to the Brihadisvara temple at Thanjavur in its monumental nature and surpasses it in
sculptural quality. The Gangaikondan temple is an architectural and engineering
marvel.
Gangaikonda Cholapuram Temple is an architectural work
of genius. Gangaikondacholapuram can be reached easily through regular buses
that are available from the main towns and cities of Tamil Nadu. In the early
11th century, the temple got built by Rajendra Chola, who was the son and
successor of Rajaraja Chola.
The voluptuous temple stands next to the famous
Brihadisvara temple at Tanjore. Gangaikonda Cholapuram is regarded as the
reproduction of Brihadisvara Temple that was built by Rajaraja Chola, father of
Rajendra Chola. Gangai Konda Cholapuram was erected to outshine the temple made
by the father. The temple is renowned for having the biggest Shivalingam in the
Southern part of India.
The sanctum sanctorum embraces the four meter high
lingam (phallic form) of Lord Shiva. To provide a private worship area for the
royal family, the sanctum is encircled with two walls. The stately entrance of
the sanctum is adorned by the beautiful image of Goddess Saraswati. The
influence of Chalukyas is also reflected from the icons of 'Suryapita' (Sun
worship) and 'Navagrahas' (Nine planets).
The meticulous accounts of the Cholas are inscribed on
the copper plates and temple walls. Preferred place of crowned heads, the
exotic structure took approximately nine years to complete.
Gangaikondacholapuram has been plundered for several times, but the
architectural and sculptural wealth remained alive.
The temple was erected to extol the accomplishments of a
combatant king. Gangaikondacholapuram is a tribute to the architects and
artisans, who created this spectacular testament.
The Shiva Linga in the temple is the biggest in size
among the Lingas in Tamilnadu temples. This is made of a single lime stone 200
metres far from the sanctum sanctorum and placed on ground. Sun light falls on
the Nandhi each day reflecting on the Linga. Even if all lights in the sanctum
are put off, devotees can see the Lord in the sunlight. This is an outstanding
evidence of the rare skill of sculptors of Tamilnadu with no parallel
elsewhere.
The shadow of the Kalasa on the tower does not fall on
ground. A rare stone called Chandrakanta stone is installed under the Linga
which has a strange characteristic of making the sanctum sanctorum cool in
summer and warm in winter.
Mother Periya Nayaki, as her very name suggests, is 9.5
feet tall standing majestically. The Navagrahas the nine planets are made of a
single stone on Lotus design peeta. This is other rare individuality of the
temple.
Mothers Saraswathi and Mahalakshmi grace in the temple
in a meditation form hence are praised as Gnana Saraswathi and Gnana
Lakshmi. 500 pots of milk are used for abishek of Mother Durga during the
Panguni festival.
Prayers
Devotees pray to Mother Durga for wedding, child boons,
for promotion in jobs, transfers to a place of choice offering archanas.
Realizing their wish, devotees offer 25 meter long dhoti with a 14 ft. garland
to Lord and 9 yards Sari to mother.
Special Features
The shadow of the Kalasa does not fall on the ground. A
rare stone, Chandrakanta stone is installed under the Lord having a strange
characteristic of playing an air-conditioner during summer and a heater during
winter.
Nandhi in the temple is made of lime stone and placed on
the ground. The gap between Nandhi and the sanctum sanctorum is 200 meters. The
rays of Sun fall on Nandhi each day reflecting on the Lord. The sanctum
sanctorum will be very bright with the reflection of sun rays even if all the
lights are put off.
Festivals
Maha Shivrathri in February-March; Aipasi Poornima-full
moon day in October-November; Panguni Utsav in March-April and Margazhi
Tiruvadhirai in December-January are the festivals celebrated in the temple.
Temple Opening Time
The temple is open from 6.00 a.m. to 12.00 a.m. and 4.00
p.m. to 8.00 pm.
Contact
Rajendra Choliswaram (Sri Bragadeeswarar Temple),
Gangaikonda Chola Puram,
Ariyalur district
Phone: +91 97513 41108
Facts
Holidays: None
Operating
Hours: Mon-Sun: 06:30 AM - 08:30 PM
Nearest
Railway Station: Kumbakonam (30 Km)
Nearest
Town: Kumbakonam (30 Km)
Nearest
Airport: Tiruchirapalli (95 Km)
Speciality: UNESCO Heritage
Site
Deities: Lord
Brihadeeshwara (Lord Shiva)
Period
Built: 10 CE
Entry
Fee: Entry Free
Parking
Fee: Rs. 20/-
