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Gangaikondacholapuram Brihadeeswarar Temple

Gangaikondacholapuram, Ariyalur, Tamil Nadu
Lord Shiva
More in Tamil Nadu

Type

Hindu Temple

Deity

Lord Shiva

Pincode

621209

A UNESCO World Heritage Site built by Rajendra Chola I (1025 CE) to celebrate his conquest of the Ganges. A twin to Thanjavur's Big Temple but with a unique curved vimana (tower) — the only example in South Indian temple architecture. The Nandi (Shiva's bull) here is the largest in Tamil Nadu.

History & Significance

History

Built by Rajendra Chola I after his famous military campaign to the Ganges (c. 1025 CE), this temple was the new Chola capital. The name 'Gangaikondacholapuram' means 'the city of the Chola who took the Ganges.' Water from the Ganges was poured into the sacred Chola Gangam tank here. The temple is smaller than Thanjavur but architecturally superior in several details.

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Photo: Wikipedia article "Vaitheeswaran Koil" — CC-licensed via Wikimedia Commons

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