Brihadeeswarar Temple
Gangaikonda Cholapuram is a town located in Ariyalur, Tamil Nadu, India. It became the capital of the Chola dynasty in c. 1025 during the reign of Rajendra Chola I, and served as the Chola capital for around 250 years. The great temple of Brihadeeswarar Temple at this place is next only to the Brihadisvara temple at Thanjavur in its monumental nature and surpasses it in sculptural quality.
History of Gangaikonda Cholapuram Temple
The king wanted to erect a ‘larger than life’ temple correspondent to the Brihadeeswara Temple. The wealth was brimming due to the outcome of their booming war operations. In those times, the Chola dynasty was at its apex and conquered many a parts of the northern territory. During 1020 – 29 AD, Gangaikondacholapuram saw its construction. Consequently, Rajendra was titled as ‘Gangaikondan’ (the one who brought the Ganges). For about 250 years, Chola clan ruled over a large part of South India. On one of the expeditions, Rajendra Chola brought Ganga water in a golden pot and consecrated the reservoir ‘Ponneri or Cholaganga’.
Architecture
The 3 lower stages houses many beautiful masterpiece sculptures of chola period including the Laxmi (goddess of wealth), Gana Saraswathi (goddess of knowledge), Ardhanareeswarar ( Shiva and Sakthi in equal but in one form), Shiva blessing Chandigeswarar with along Parvathi. The remains of these outer wall is very less and one can judge the actual size of the temple if it had remained, whereas the second wall has the gopuram completely destructed and from the height of the entrance one could estimate the height of the second gopuram. Archeological Survey of India has renovated the Srivimana and painted it beautifully after the chemical cleaning. The sight of the Srivimana from this second entrance is magnificent and beautiful. A western historian who studied Gangaikondacholesvaram compared the structural difference of this Srivimana with that of Rajaraja-I’s Brihadisvara temple at Thanjavur and mentioned that this Srivimana is of feminine structure and the Tanjore Srivimana as masculine in nature. There seems to be 2 Praharams surrounding the Srivimana, most of the wall is destructed and the Granite rocks where used to construct the Lower Anicut during the British rule. The temple was located at the center of the Gangaikondacholapuram city and occupies around 6 acres of land. The main difference that is obvious is this Srivimana has 8 sided (Octagonal) in structure and Thanjavur Srivimana has 4 sided (Quadragonal) in structure.
The basement of Srivimana is 100 feet by 100 feet and the foundation is square in structure and raises 20 feet above the ground level. One has to enjoy the beauty and the elegance and these fine masterpieces by visiting Gangaikondacholesvaram no words or even the photographs that we have taken are only our attempt to bring this 1000 year old art and architecture near to the readers.
Location: To view the location please click here
Landmark: Gangaikonda Cholapuram Temple is located on Kumbakonam – Jayankondam Highway
Nearest Airport: Trichy International Airport – 136 km
Nearest Railway station: Kumbakonam and Ariyalur
Temple Opening Hours
Morning Hours: 6:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Evening Hours: 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM
For more details please dial
Pooja Cost & Timing
| Pooja | Timings |
| Kala Sandhi (Morning Pooja) | 9:00 AM |
| Uchi Kalam (Mid Noon Pooja) | 12:00 PM |
| Sayaraitchai (Evening Pooja) | 6:00 PM |
| Artha Jaamam (Night Pooja) | 8:00 PM |
Brihadeeswarar Temple Festivals
The temple has many festivals in its calendar, with the Shivarathri during the Tamil month of Masi (February–March), Aipassi Pournami during Aipassi (October–November) and Thiruvadirai during Margazhi (December–January) being the most prominent. Annabhishekam, the ablution of the presiding deity with cooked rice is performed during Aipasi festival.
Bus Route
Gangaikonda Cholapuram can be reached by road or rail . However, Road is the most preferred option. Kumbakonam located about 43 kilometers from Gangaikonda Cholapuram is the nearest railway station, From Kumbakonam hire an auto-rickshaw or catch the local bus and in about 40 minutes you would be at the centre of Gangaikonda Cholapuram Brihadeeswarar Temple.
Hotels to stay in Kumbakonam
1. Hotel Green Park
No. 10, Lakshmi Vilas Street,
Kumbakonam, South India – 612001.
Ph :(0435) – 2402853 / 2403914
2. Quality Inn VIHA
New Railway Road, Kumbakonam,
Tanjore, Tamil Nadu 612001
Ph:0435 255 5555
3. Lee Garden
Naal Road Junction, Srinagar Colony, Kumbakonam
Tanjore, Tamil Nadu 612001
Ph:0435 240 2526
4. Rayas Grand
23-25, Holy Mahamaham Tank West Bank,
Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu
Ph:0435 242 3170
Near By Temples: Chakrapani Temple, Sri Valangaiman Mariamman Temple , Adi Kumbeswarar Temple, Thirunageswaram – Uppiliappan Temple, Thirunageswaram Naganathar (Raghu Stalam) Temple
Near by Restaurants: Ravuthar Briyani, Wilson’s Cafe, Apple Veg Restaurant, Archana Restaurant, Hotel Jeeva, Sri Devi Coffee Bar & Hotel
Near By Places to Visit: Darasuram, Papanasam, Thirubuvanam, Patteeswaram