Great Temples and other places of worship of the Chola period

GREAT TEMPLES AND OTHER PLACES OF WORSHIP OF THE CHOLA PERIOD

Architects and historians consider Chola architecture as a continuation of the style pioneered by the Pallavas.

Cholas started building many temples since Vijayalayan defeated the Muthraiyas and established the Chola's rule in Tamil Nadu.

But, the buildings of the Chola period before Rajaraja-I were not big. However, during the period of Rajarajan and his son Rajendra Chola Thanjai Great Temple, Gangai Konda Cholapuram temple and Iradeeswarar temple began to appear.

Among these, The Tanjai Great Temple which was completed in 1009 AD is the crowning master piece of Chola architecture. Like this temple, numerous other temples were built by the Cholas in Tamil Nadu. Here, let us see some of the notable temples.

1. Pragadeeswarar Temple, Thanjavur

The construction of Thanjavur big temple was started in AD 1003 and finished in AD 1009 during the reign of Rajarajan I. The chief sculptor who built this temple is mentioned in the inscriptions of the temple as Kuncharamallan Rasarasa Perumthatchan.

Rajaraja Cholan's construction of a 59.40 m high stone temple with 15 floors in the Cauvery plains where no stones are found is a great world record.

The exterior of this temple measures 240x125 metres. The base of the temple is 16 feet high. Dance sculptures depicting 108 Bharathanatiam mudras have been designed on the top of the outer wall.

The Rajalingam in the Sanctum Sanctorum of this temple is 3.7 metres high. The Nandi idol in front of it is made of a single stone. It is 14.0 metres high, 7.0 metres long and 3.0 metres wide.

The tower has a total of 15 floors including two floors of sanctum sanctorum and 13 floors of Vimanam. The height of the first floor is about 4.40 metres; the height of the 13th floor is about 1.92 metres. The total height of the 13 floors is 32.5 metres.

On the top of the 13th floor, enpattai Vadivathandu, Kolam, Kalasam are found.

The Ramp

There are no clues as to how the temple Vimanam, which is about 60 metres high, was built. But, there are some possibilities.

Phase I (Ramp)

The height of the sanctum sanctorum including the upper and lower floors is 16.5 metres. A number of ramps have been used to build it. They are made of stones and lime mixture and are laid with a moderate slope to enable the elephants to move.

Phase 2 (Aranmathil Saram)

It is clear that the essence of a solid aranmathil saram was laid around the four sides of the vimanam to build the second phase from 16.5 m to 33 metres high.

Later, Amman shrine was built by Pandyas, Muruga shrine by Vijayanagara Kings, Vinayaga shrine by Maratha Kings, front porch and Nandhi mandapam by Thanjai Nayakas.

2. Gangaikonda Cholapuram Siva Temple, Ariyalur

This temple is a testament to the high quality of art and architecture of the Cholas. In 1036 AD, A Shiva temple was built at Gangaikonda Cholapuram by Rajendra Cholan I. He conquered the entire east coast of India and invaded upto the river Ganges and built a city called Gangaikonda Cholapuram and built a Shiva temple there. This temple is famous not only for being built by the Cholas but also for having the largest Shivalingam in South India. The Shivalingam in the Sanctum Sanctorum of this temple is 4 metre high. The historical events of the Chola dynasty and their government inscribed in the copper plate inscriptions on the walls of the temple are more descriptive than any other historical text.

The information that many villages were donated to this temple in the 24th year of the rein of Rajendra Chola I is available from the records of Veera Rajendra Cholan who ruled in 1068 AD. The special feature of this temple is that there are many sculptures brought from Andhra, Karnataka and Bengal.

3. Iradeeswarar Temple, Tharasuram

Airavadeshwarar temple was built in the 12th century by Rasarasa II, an important Chola temple at Tharasuram near Kumbakonam. Although it is smaller than the Gangai Konda Cholapuram and Prahadeeswarar temples, the sculptures in this Airavatham Temple are very intricately carved. The Iradeeswarar temple is arranged like a chariot which is pulled by horses. Indiran's elephant Iravatham lost its colour due to the curse of the hermit Durvasa. The elephant came here and worshipped Shiva and as result it got relief from the curse. Hence, it is said that this temple got its name as Iravatheeshwarar Temple.

The Special Features of the Temple

(i) Music Steps

When the steps of the altar next to Nandi at the entrance of the temple is tapped, the sound 'sari gama pathani' is heard.

(ii) Chariot like Hall

A chariot like Mahamandapam has been designed to be pulled by elephants and horses known as Airavatham. Its steps are designed to look like horses pulling a chariot on one side and the elephants on the other.

(iii) Sculptures

The four sides of each of the pillars in the temple have mythological carvings.

Dwarabalagas are found on both sides of the lingam in the sanctum sanctorum.

Saraswati without Veena in hand, Nagarasan, Annapoorani, Arthanareeswarar with three faces and eight hands have been carved on the walls.

The images of Nayanmars and 108 followers of Lord Shiva have been engraved in the praharam of the hall.

4. Thillai Natarajar Temple, Chidambaram

Thillai Nataraja Temple has always had a special place among the symbols of the Chola Dynasty. The Sanctum Sanctorum of this temple has been built with golden Vimanam with eleborate stone carvings.

Parantaka Chola, the son of Adhitya Chola is said to have built this goldon canopy. Through this, he got the title of 'Ponveintha Cholan'. During Sivarathiri, Natyanchali dance performance is arranged in Nataraja Temple for five days.

5. Thiagaraja Swamy Thirukoil, Tiruvarur

Thiagarajaswamy Temple, built by the Chola Kings and one of the oldest temples in Tamil Nadu, dates back to the 1st Century. Th moolasthanam of this temple is divided into two parts. One part is dedicated to Lord Shiva and the other part is dedicated to Thiagarajar.

A section dedicated to Vanmiginathar is older than the section dedicated to Thiagaraja. In Vanmiginathar's Sannithi, instead of the usual lingam, a pit (Putru) has been installed.

6. Rajagopalaswamy Tirukkoil, Mannargudi

The Rajagopalaswamy Temple complex is spread over an area of about 23 acres with 24 Sannidhis, 16 tall towers, 7 courtyards, 7 halls and 9 ponds.

The temple was built during the reign of Kulothunga Chola and was renovated by various Chola Kings who came after him. Later on, during the reign of Nayak Kings, it was expanded. The pond is one of the largest temple ponds in India.

7. Sri Kumbeshwarar Temple, Kumbakonam

Sri Kumbeshwarar Temple located in Kumbakonam is a Shivalyam. It is in this temple, Masimaga festival is celebrated every year. Mahamaha festival is celebrated every 12 years. The temple is believed to be 1300 years old.

8. Swedharanyeswarar Temple, Tiruvenkadu

Among the nine navagraha locations in Tamil Nadu, it is the fourth. In this temple, Budhan God who offers knowledge, wealth is worshipped by making a separate sannithi. The murals here have been painted to know the important historical information of the Chola empire and the Kings of Vijayanagar.

9. Sri Kambahareshwarar Temple, Kumbakonam

Sri Kambahareshwarar Temple is located at Tirubuvanam village near Kumbakonam. The construction work of this temple was started by the King Kulothungan who ruled over in the 13th Century. The kings of Chera, Chola, Pandiya dynasties who came after him continued the work and completed the construction. Historians believe that this was the last temple renovated by the Cholas.

10. Kalyana Pasupatheeshwarar Temple, Karur

The Kalyana Pasupatheeshwarar Temple was built during the reign of the Cholas. This temple is famous for its five feet tall Pasupatheeshwarar Lingam. There is also a cluster of five idols found here. The lingam appears in the Sanctum Sanctorum as bathed in the milk flowing from the udder of a cow.

11. Jambulingeshwar Temple, Tiruvanaikaval

The Jambulingeshwar Temple at Tiruvanaikaval is believed to have been built by king Kochenga Chola, one of the early Chola kings. In addition to that, some inscriptions written during the Chola period are still visible on the temple walls.

Although the temple was built 1800 years ago, it is still in good condition due to the maintenance work. An underground water spring was discovered under the Jambukeshwar Sanctum. Every time it is tried to empty the water source, again and again, it fills up.

12. Someshwarar Temple, Kumbakonam

Someshwarar Temple is located in Kumbakonam. When looking at the architechtural design of this temple, it must have been built before the 13th Century. It was during this period, that the later Cholas were ruling over Kumbakonam. Actually, this temple was originally built by the Cholas who worshipped Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi. Later Kings added different designs to the construction of the temple. But the basic design is Chola architecture.

13. Sri Mayuranathaswamy Temple, Mayiladuthurai

Sri Mayuranathaswamy Temple is the largest temple in Mayiladuthurai. The oldest records on the walls of this temple are those of Kulothunga Chola. Slightly reconstructed after its initial construction, the temple still stands a testament to Chola architecture. The Mayura Natyanjali program held every year for Lord Nataraja of this temple attracts countless people to this temple.