List Of Temples Built During The Chola Period

The Chola rulers were not only powerful conquerors and administrators, but also master architects. They were renowned supporters of the arts, and under their reign, South India produced some of the most beautiful temples and superb bronze icons. Airavatesvara Temple in Darasuram, Brihadisvara Temple in Gangaikondacholisvaram, and Brihadisvara Temple in Thanjavur are three outstanding 11th and 12th-century temples. These temples in Southern India are regarded as the "Great Living Chola Temples'' because they represent an extraordinary creative achievement in the architectural idea of the pure form of the Dravida type of temple. The Chola dynasty was one of the most powerful dynasties in southern India's history. The Cholas controlled Bangalore for over a century. The Cholas' core was the rich Kaveri River valley, but they governed a far broader region during the height of their dominance, including modern-day Bangalore. After conquering the Gangas during Rajaraja Chola's reign in approximately 1004 AD, the Cholas conquered Bangalore. They constructed several temples in and around Bangalore during their reign, including the Chokkanathaswamy temple, Mukthi Natheshwara Temple, Choleswara Temple, and the Someshwara Temple.

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Great Living Chola Temples

The Great Living Chola Temples were built by Raja of the Chola Empire (King), which covered southern India and the neighbouring islands. The complex comprises three magnificent 11th and 12th-century temples: Thanjavur's Brihadisvara Temple, Gangaikondacholisvaram's Brihadisvara Temple, and Darasuram's Airavatesvara Temple. Rajendra I finished building the Gangaikondacholisvaram Temple in 1035. In contrast to Thanjavur's straight and austere tower, its 53-meter vimana (sanctum tower) features recessed corners and a beautiful upward curving movement. Rajaraja II erected the Airavatesvara temple complex in Darasuram, which has a 24-meter vimana and a stone image of Shiva.

Chola Temple Architecture

The Pallavas were the first recognizable South Indian dynasty to explore architectural innovations. During this time, the earliest seeds of the Chola temple building in Tamil Nadu may have been sowed. From Mamallapuram's early cave temples and monolith temples to Kanchipuram's Kailasanatha and Vaikuntaperumal temples, temple architecture developed. According to Nilakanta Sastri in his A History of South India, this building style established the basis from which the Cholas, who were in constant touch with the Pallavas throughout their periods of decline, learned some vital lessons

List of Chola Temples with Their Names, Locations and Kings.

List of Temples Built During The Chola Period

Here let’s look at the List of temples built during the Chola period with the Chola temples location and the main deity of that temple.

1. Brihadisvara Temple At Thanjavur

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One of the most renowned Chola dynasty temples, it was erected between 1003 and 1010 AD during the reign of Chola monarch Raja Raja and designed by the great architect Sama Varma. The Brihadisvara Temple is home to the world's highest vimanam, a 3.7-meter tall Lord Shiva linga. The temple's simple style has served as an influence for subsequent structures not just in South India but also in Southeast Asia. It is one of the Chola dynasty's most important temples.

2. Gangaikonda Cholapuram

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The Gangaikonda Cholapuram Hindu’s temples built by Cholas Emperor Rajendra I, is characterised as the feminine counterpart of the Thanjavur temple. The Chola Empire's Gangaikonda Choleswarar Temple was designated as the administrative and development centre. A Shiva lingam with a height of four metres may be found in the temple. Among the Chola temples, this lingam is the tallest. This temple, which is located in Tamil Nadu, is one of the most renowned temples in South India.

3. Airavatesvara Temple At Darasuram

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This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is the epitome of Chola temple construction. It is smaller than the other Great Living Chola Temples. The temple's vimana is 24 metres high, and it was erected by Rajaraja II. Legend has it that the god was adored here by the celestial elephant Airavat. The temple's distinctive design is known as Nitya-vinoda, which means "perpetual pleasure in the thought." Among all the Chola dynasty temples, it is without a doubt the most significant site of devotion.

4. Vijayala-Cholesvaram

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Vijayala-Cholesvaram in Narthamalai is one of the earliest stone temples in South India and one of the most interesting Chola empire temples. It is a Hindu temple devoted to Shiva. The Dravida style and rock-cut architecture are used to build the temple. This architectural style is a precursor of Cholan art.

5. Ayikudi Balasubramanya Swami Temple

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This beautiful temple for Young Bala Muruga Peruman is located in Thenkasi Taluk, Thrunelveli District, Tamil Nadu, near Kutralam. Ariyar kudi or Arya Kuti - ‘the home of noble people', popularly known as Ayikudi, is located in Thenkasi Taluk, Thrunelveli District, Tamil Nadu, near Kutralam. Balasubramanya Swamy, also known as Rama Subramanya Swamy, is the temple's primary deity, a lovely little Mulavar Murthy. This temple is undoubtedly one of the most renowned sites of devotion among Hindus among the Chola dynasty's temples.

6. Nageswaraswamy Temple

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Nageswaraswamy Temple is a Hindu temple in Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu, dedicated to Lord Shiva. Lord Nagaraja, Shiva's incarnation, is located in the heart of Kumbakonam. Surya Theertham is a sacred water tank in the temple. It also includes a brightly coloured gopuram and massive statues with carvings and scripts.

7. Moovar Koil

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Moovar Koil, or "The Three Temples," is a Hindu temple complex located in the village of Kodumbalur, Tamil Nadu, 36 kilometres from Pudukkottai. Boothi Vikramakesari, a Chola commander from the 10th century, built these temples. Only two of the three temples have survived to this day. Moreover, Kodumbalur was the place of a bloody fight between the Pandyas and the Pallavas.

8. Koranganatha

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Koranganatha temple is a Hindu temples built by Cholas during the Middle Ages. This temple, which is not a functional Hindu temple, is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and is one of the Great Living Chola Temples. It has a basic style and is located at Srinivasanallur Town in Tamilnadu's Trichy District.

9. Valisvara Temple

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Valisvara temple is a Hindu temple that refers to Lord Shiva in the Tamil Nadu town of Thiruvalisvaram, in the district of Tirunelveli. This temple, dedicated to Shiva and depicting him in sukhasana position, is one of the Chola dynasty's temples. It was built by the Cholas in the early 10th century AD and is regarded as one of the finest examples of Chola architecture.

10. Kampaheswarar Temple

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The Kampaheswarar temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to the Bhagwan (Lord) Shiva that is located in the town of Thirubuvanam on the Kumbakonam road. The temple is built in the Tamilian architectural style. In contrast to other Dravidian-style South Indian temples, the vimana of this temple is extremely high.

The Chola dynasty temple was one of the most powerful dynasties in southern India's history. They were renowned supporters of the arts and built some of the finest Dravida temples. The Great Living Chola Temples were built by Raja (King) of the Chola Empire, which covered southern India. One of the most renowned Chola dynasty temples, it was erected between 1003 and 1010 AD during the reign of Raja Raja. The Brihadisvara Temple is home to the world's highest vimanam, a 3.7-meter tall Lord Shiva linga.