Group of Chola Temples

The large temples of the Chola dynasty: the Brihadeshwara temple of Thanjavur (Tanjore), temple of Gangaikondacholisvaram as well as the Airavatesvara temple in Darasuram were nominated in the 1987 by UNESCO in the list of world cultural heritage. The Brihadeshwara temple of Thanjavur (Tanjore) was built between the years 1003 to 1010 during the reign of king Rajaraja. King Rajaraja was the founder of the Chola kingdom, who ruled entire south India and the neighboring islands. In the Medieval period of India , Brihadeshwara temple served as a fort against storming enemies and resisted late Muslim invasions. Today it is an important pilgrimage city for Hindus.

hrough the two impressing temple towers (Gopurams), one reaches the temple courtyard that is surrounded by a wall and colonnade. In a pavilion, before the actual temple, stands a Nandi, the India third largest monolithic bull. The bull is the vehicle of the God Shiva to whom the temple is dedicated. The main temple tower is 61 m high, in which stands the holiest 4 m high Shiva Lingam. An 81 tones heavy dome, which was made out of single piece of rock, crowns the tower and to fix it on the top of the temple tower a six km long ramp was made. This dome is the outstanding feature of this temple. Three further smaller temples stand in the temple courtyard. During the festival time, hundreds of priests, temple dancers, Musicians and servants are busied in this temple.