Gangaikonda Chozhapuram Temple, Thiruvarur, India ·

This place is astounding, And these two pictures are a minuscule representation of what is here—the carvings tell stories, as do the sculptures and the columns, and it is all spectacularly beautifully done. The structure is granite, the statues as well, and the carvings atop the gopuram are stucco (made of limestone powder, jaggery, egg white, and gum tree resin). Located in Ariyalur this temple, Gangaikondacholapuram, is the biggest temple constructed during the reign of Rajendra–I in Ariyalur region. Following the conquest of the Gangetic plains in A.D. 1023 the Chola king Rajendra–I built this in commemoration of his victory. It is a Shiva temple in the Dravidian style.

He also shifted his capital from Thanjavur to this newly built town. From his period to the end of the Chola family rule in A.D.1279 this city was the capital for the Chola Empire for a period of 256 years. The gigantic stone temple which he built in this place is rich repository of beautiful sculptures of middle Chola period. As in the case of most Shiva temples, the principal deity is represented as a Shiva Lingam which is 13 ft tall. The main part of the structure is 341 ft high and 100 ft wide.