Great Living Chola Temples
| Great Living Chola Temples* | |
|---|---|
| UNESCO World Heritage Site | |
| |
| State Party |  India
|
| Type | Cultural |
| Criteria | i, ii, iii, iv |
| Reference | 250 |
| Region** | Asia-Pacific |
| Inscription history | |
| Inscription | 1987 (11th Session) |
| Extensions | 2004 |
| * Name as inscribed on World Heritage List. ** Region as classified by UNESCO. | |
The Great Living Chola Temples are temples built during the Chola rule in the south of India. These temples are the Brihadisvara Temple at Thanjavur, the Temple of Gangaikondacholisvaram and the Airavatesvara Temple at Darasuram. The Brihadisvara Temple was declared by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 1987; the Temple of Gangaikondacholisvaram and the Airavatesvara Temple at Darasuram were added as extensions to the site in 2004. The site is now known as the "Great Living Chola Temples."
Brihadeeswarar Temple
The (Tamil: பெருவுடையார் கோவில்; Peruvudaiyar Koil[1][2]) is an ancient Hindu temple located at Thanjavur in the state of Tamil Nadu, India. The temple is dedicated to Shiva and dates to the Chola dynasty rule in the 11th century CE.
The temple is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site "Great Living Chola Temples."
History
The temple was built by Chola king Rajaraja Chola I. Construction was completed in 1009-10 C.E.
Architecture
This temple is a prime example of the Dravidian style of temple architecture The central temple known as the Periya Kovil (Big Temple) stands within a fort, whose walls were later additions built during the 16th century. The name periya kovil came from its original name "periya aavudayar kovil" (aavudayar being a local name of Lord Shiva). The vimana (main tower) of the temple is approximately 65 m (215 ft) high and is the tallest in the world. It was so designed that the vimana never casts a shadow at noon during any period of the year.
More details on this temple can be found at http://www.templepages.com
The Big Temple 
A rear view of the main gopura of the Big Temple 
Entrance to Dakhinamoorthi temple 
View from the rear right 
View from the front left 
Rajagopuram (main tower) of the temple 
An ornamented pillar in the temple courtyard 
The Nandi, with the [vimana] in the background 
Frescoes on the enclosure roof 
Entrance to the Brihadeeswarar Temple 
Detail of Gopuram 
The Shrine of Sri Subramanya 
Detail of steps of the Shrine of Sri Subramanya 
One of many bronze deities found in the pillared cloister surrounding the courtyard 
Several of the Lingam found in the pillared cloister 
Example of the many frescos found in the pillared cloister 
Nandi, looking peaceful.
Temple of Gangaikondacholisvara
- From Main article: Gangaikonda Cholapuram
The temple of Gangaikondacholisvara is approached through the northern entrance from the road. The passage passes through the enclosure wall and leads on to the inner court.
As one steps in, the great Vimana arrests the visitor's sight. The Vimana with its recessed corners and upward movement presents a striking contrast to the straight-sided pyramidal tower of Tanjavur. As it rises to a height of 160 feet and is shorter than the Tanjavur tower, it is often described as the feminine counterpart of the Tanjavur temple.
The Vimana is flanked on either side by small temples; the one in the north now housing the Goddess is fairly well preserved. The small shire of Chandikesvara is near the steps in the north. In the north-east are a shire housing Durga, a well called lion-well (simhakeni) with a lion figure guarding its steps and a late mandapa housing the office. Nandi is in the east facing the main shrine. In the same direction is the ruined gopura, the entrance tower. The main tower surrounded by little shrines truly presents the appearance of a great Chakravarti (emperor) surrounded by chieftains and vassals. The Gangaikondacholapuram Vimana is undoubtedly a devalaya chakravarti, an emperor among temples of South India.
Airateswara Temple
Airateswara Temple is a Hindu temple located in the town of Darasuram, near Kumbakonam in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu. This temple, built by Rajaraja Chola II in the 12th century CE, along with the Brihadeeswara Temple at Thanjavur, the Gangaikondacholisvaram Temple at Gangaikonda Cholapuram are a UNESCO World Heritage Site referred to as the Great Living Chola Temples[3].
Legend
The Airateswara temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Shiva is here known as Airavateshwara, because he was worshipped at this temple by Airavata, the white elephant of the king of the gods, Indra.
It is said that the King of Death, Yama also worshipped Shiva here. Tradition has it Yama, who was suffering under a Rishi's curse from a burning sensation all over the body, was cured by the presiding deity Airavateswarar. Yama took bath in the sacred tank and got rid of the burning sensation. Since then the tank has been known as Yamateertham.
Architecture
This temple is a storehouse of art and architecture and has some exquisite stone carvings. Although this temple is much smaller than the Brihadeeswara Temple or the Gangaikondacholisvaram Temple, it is more exquisite in detail. This is because this temple is said to have been built with nitya-vinoda, "perpetual entertainment," in mind.
The vimana is 25 m (85 ft) high. The front mandapam is in the form of a huge chariot drawn by horses.
Deities
The main deity's consort Periya Nayaki Amman temple is situated adjacent to Airavateshwarar temple.
UNESCO World Heritage Site
This temple was added to the list of Great Living Chola Temples in the year 2004. The Great Living Chola Temples includes the Brihadeeswara Temple at Thanjavur, the Gangaikondacholisvaram Temple at Gangaikonda Cholapuram and the Airateswara Temple at Darasuram. All of these temples were built by the Cholas between the 10th and 12th centuries CE and have a lot of similarities.
Periya Nayaki Amman temple
Airavateshwarar temple
See also
ReferencesISBN links support NWE through referral fees
- ↑ Bragatheeswarar Temple, The Big Temple. thanjavur.com. Retrieved 2007/09/29.
- ↑ Brihadeeswarar is also spelled Brihadeshvara, Birhadeeshwara or Bragatheeswarar
- ↑ Great Living Chola Temples - UNESCO World Heritage Centre
External links
- UNESCO's World Heritage Site.
- Panoramic 360 degree views of the Temple.
- TLC: Mysteries of India: Lost South Indian Temples (via Google Video).
- Photographs of Brehadiswara and other South Indian Temples.
- Article on Indian Murals.
- Brihdeeswara Temple Guide.
- Brihadeeswarar Temple.
- Photos of Thanjavur Periya Kovil.
- UNESCO's World Heritage Site: listing the Chola temples.
- Travel guide to Great Living Chola Temples from Wikitravel
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