Brihadeswara Temple
– 11th Cen CE.
Gangaikonda, Cholapuram.
Brihadeswara Temple
– 11th Cen CE.
Gangaikonda, Cholapuram.
Brihadeswara Temple
– 11th Cen CE.
Gangaikonda, Cholapuram.
Brihadeswara Temple
– 11th Cen CE.
Gangaikonda, Cholapuram.
Brihadeswara Temple
– 11th Cen CE.
Gangaikonda, Cholapuram.
“Brihadisvara of Gangaikonda Cholapuram is one of the most perfect specimens of Hindu architecture”
– Percy Brown
Historian & author of Indian Architecture: Hindu and Buddhist
Chola Dynasty
848-1279 CE
Chola Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. Lorem Ipsum has been the industry’s standard dummy text ever since the 1500s, when an unknown printer took a galley of type and scrambled it to make a type specimen book. It
The Imperial Cholas: Their Kings and Achievements
The Cholas were among the most powerful dynasties in South Indian history, ruling for over four centuries.
Their reign, particularly from the 9th to the 13th century, saw remarkable achievements in administration, military conquests, temple architecture, literature, and maritime trade.
Check out the
other Chola kings
The Cholas introduced an efficient governance system with well-organized provincial administration and an advanced irrigation network.
They also contributed significantly to Tamil literature, fostering great poets like Kamban, who wrote the Tamil Ramayana.
Rajendra Chola I, son of Rajaraja Chola I, was one of the greatest kings of the Chola dynasty. His rule marked the zenith of Chola power and territorial expansion. His key achievements include:
Northern Expeditions: He led campaigns up to the Ganges River, defeating the Pala dynasty of Bengal. To commemorate this feat, he assumed the title ‘Gangaikonda Chola’ and built the new capital, Gangaikonda Cholapuram.
Naval Supremacy: His fleet dominated the Bay of Bengal, leading successful conquests in Sri Lanka, the Maldives, and parts of Southeast Asia, including Srivijaya (modern-day Indonesia and Malaysia).
Rajendra in Battle, Kolar
Architectural Marvel – The Brihadishwara Temple
of Gangaikonda Cholapuram: He built this temple as a replica of the Thanjavur Brihadishwara Temple, though it features some architectural refinements such as a shorter but more intricate vimana and a massive Nandi statue. The temple’s bronze sculptures and stone carvings display exceptional craftsmanship, reflecting the height of Chola artistry.
The Cholas introduced an efficient governance system with well-organized provincial administration and an advanced irrigation network.
They also contributed significantly to Tamil literature, fostering great poets like Kamban, who wrote the Tamil Ramayana.
Copper plate of Rajendra I
about building a temple in
Srivijaya Empire
Legend has it…
The Brihadishwara Temple of Gangaikonda Cholapuram, a magnificent structure built by the Chola emperor Rajendra Chola I, derives its name from the Sanskrit words ‘Brihad’ (meaning ‘great’) and ‘Ishwara’ (meaning ‘Lord’), signifying the grandeur and supreme divinity of Lord Shiva.
According to local legends, Rajendra Chola I, upon his victorious return from the northern expeditions, wanted to create a temple grander than his father Rajaraja Chola I’s Brihadishwara Temple at Thanjavur.
Know the Historian
P.V. Jagadīśa Ayyar’s 1920 work, “South Indian Shrines,” is a pioneering study of South Indian temple architecture, with a special focus on the Bṛhadīśvara Temple at Gaṅgaikoṇḍa Chōḷapuram.
Written during a period of growing archaeological interest in India, it offers one of the earliest detailed analyses of the temple’s structure, sculptures, inscriptions, and historical significance. This foundational text remains essential for anyone seeking to understand the architectural and cultural legacy of South Indian temples.
For the Serious Reader
Nagaswamy, R. 2010. Brhadisvara Temple: Form and Meaning. New Delhi: Aryan Books International.
Nilakanta Sastri, K.A. 1958. A History of South India: From Prehistoric Times to the Fall of Vijayanagar. London: Oxford University Press.
Legend has it that the 12th Śaṅkarācārya of the Śṛṅgerī Maṭha, Śrī Vidyāraṇya, was on a quest to find
Vidya, Dehejia. 1990. Art of the Imperial Cholas. New York: Columbia University Press.
Legend has it that the 12th Śaṅkarācārya of the Śṛṅgerī Maṭha, Śrī Vidyāraṇya, was on a quest to find
The Brihadishwara Temple of Gangaikonda Cholapuram, built by Rajendra Chola I, is an architectural masterpiece that reflects the evolution of Chola temple design. While inspired by the Brihadishwara Temple at Thanjavur, this temple incorporates several unique refinements in structure and layout, showcasing the artistic and engineering advancements of the Chola period.
School & Style
The Bṛhadīśvara Temple at Gaṅgaikoṇḍa Chōḷapuram is a masterpiece of Drāviḍa architecture, reflecting the grandeur of the Chōḷa dynasty. Its towering vimāna stands as a testament to the era’s architectural innovation and divine symbolism.
The temple showcases intricately carved sculptures depicting deities and mythological narratives. Designed with precise alignment to cardinal directions, it creates a structured and symbolic spiritual journey for devotees. The grand layout and artistic brilliance exemplify the fusion of sacred geometry and Chōḷa craftsmanship.
Material Used & the Technique
The temple was constructed using granite, a material that was challenging to carve yet provided durability. The Cholas employed highly skilled artisans who used advanced stone-cutting and carving techniques to achieve the temple’s fine details. The interlocking system of stones ensured stability, and the use of natural binding materials facilitated longevity.
Plan & Layout
The temple follows a well-defined axial plan typical of Dravidian temples:
The sanctum (garbhagriha) houses a massive Shiva Linga, one of the largest in India.
The vimana (tower) stands at approximately 55 meters, slightly shorter than the one at Thanjavur but more elaborately sculpted.
“Brihadisvara of Gangaikonda Cholapuram is one of the most perfect specimens of Hindu architecture”
– Percy Brown
Historian & author of Indian Architecture: Hindu and Buddhist
Chola Dynasty
848-1279 CE
Chola Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. Lorem Ipsum has been the industry’s standard dummy text ever since the 1500s, when an unknown printer took a galley of type and scrambled it to make a type specimen book. It
The Imperial Cholas: Their Kings and Achievements
The Cholas were among the most powerful dynasties in South Indian history, ruling for over four centuries.
Their reign, particularly from the 9th to the 13th century, saw remarkable achievements in administration, military conquests, temple architecture, literature, and maritime trade.
Check out the
other Chola kingsThe Cholas introduced an efficient governance system with well-organized provincial administration and an advanced irrigation network.
They also contributed significantly to Tamil literature, fostering great poets like Kamban, who wrote the Tamil Ramayana.
Rajendra Chola I, son of Rajaraja Chola I, was one of the greatest kings of the Chola dynasty. His rule marked the zenith of Chola power and territorial expansion. His key achievements include:
Northern Expeditions: He led campaigns up to the Ganges River, defeating the Pala dynasty of Bengal. To commemorate this feat, he assumed the title ‘Gangaikonda Chola’ and built the new capital, Gangaikonda Cholapuram.
Naval Supremacy: His fleet dominated the Bay of Bengal, leading successful conquests in Sri Lanka, the Maldives, and parts of Southeast Asia, including Srivijaya (modern-day Indonesia and Malaysia).
Rajendra in Battle, Kolar
Architectural Marvel – The Brihadishwara Temple
of Gangaikonda Cholapuram: He built this temple as a replica of the Thanjavur Brihadishwara Temple, though it features some architectural refinements such as a shorter but more intricate vimana and a massive Nandi statue. The temple’s bronze sculptures and stone carvings display exceptional craftsmanship, reflecting the height of Chola artistry.The Cholas introduced an efficient governance system with well-organized provincial administration and an advanced irrigation network.
They also contributed significantly to Tamil literature, fostering great poets like Kamban, who wrote the Tamil Ramayana.
Copper plate of Rajendra I
about building a temple in
Srivijaya Empire
Legend has it…
The Brihadishwara Temple of Gangaikonda Cholapuram, a magnificent structure built by the Chola emperor Rajendra Chola I, derives its name from the Sanskrit words ‘Brihad’ (meaning ‘great’) and ‘Ishwara’ (meaning ‘Lord’), signifying the grandeur and supreme divinity of Lord Shiva.
According to local legends, Rajendra Chola I, upon his victorious return from the northern expeditions, wanted to create a temple grander than his father Rajaraja Chola I’s Brihadishwara Temple at Thanjavur.
Know the Historian
P.V. Jagadīśa Ayyar’s 1920 work, “South Indian Shrines,” is a pioneering study of South Indian temple architecture, with a special focus on the Bṛhadīśvara Temple at Gaṅgaikoṇḍa Chōḷapuram.
Written during a period of growing archaeological interest in India, it offers one of the earliest detailed analyses of the temple’s structure, sculptures, inscriptions, and historical significance. This foundational text remains essential for anyone seeking to understand the architectural and cultural legacy of South Indian temples.
For the Serious Reader
Nagaswamy, R. 2010. Brhadisvara Temple: Form and Meaning. New Delhi: Aryan Books International.Nilakanta Sastri, K.A. 1958. A History of South India: From Prehistoric Times to the Fall of Vijayanagar. London: Oxford University Press.
Legend has it that the 12th Śaṅkarācārya of the Śṛṅgerī Maṭha, Śrī Vidyāraṇya, was on a quest to find Vidya, Dehejia. 1990. Art of the Imperial Cholas. New York: Columbia University Press.
Legend has it that the 12th Śaṅkarācārya of the Śṛṅgerī Maṭha, Śrī Vidyāraṇya, was on a quest to find The Brihadishwara Temple of Gangaikonda Cholapuram, built by Rajendra Chola I, is an architectural masterpiece that reflects the evolution of Chola temple design. While inspired by the Brihadishwara Temple at Thanjavur, this temple incorporates several unique refinements in structure and layout, showcasing the artistic and engineering advancements of the Chola period.
School & Style
The Bṛhadīśvara Temple at Gaṅgaikoṇḍa Chōḷapuram is a masterpiece of Drāviḍa architecture, reflecting the grandeur of the Chōḷa dynasty. Its towering vimāna stands as a testament to the era’s architectural innovation and divine symbolism.
The temple showcases intricately carved sculptures depicting deities and mythological narratives. Designed with precise alignment to cardinal directions, it creates a structured and symbolic spiritual journey for devotees. The grand layout and artistic brilliance exemplify the fusion of sacred geometry and Chōḷa craftsmanship.
Material Used & the Technique
The temple was constructed using granite, a material that was challenging to carve yet provided durability. The Cholas employed highly skilled artisans who used advanced stone-cutting and carving techniques to achieve the temple’s fine details. The interlocking system of stones ensured stability, and the use of natural binding materials facilitated longevity.
Plan & Layout
The temple follows a well-defined axial plan typical of Dravidian temples:
The sanctum (garbhagriha) houses a massive Shiva Linga, one of the largest in India.
The vimana (tower) stands at approximately 55 meters, slightly shorter than the one at Thanjavur but more elaborately sculpted.