Brihadeshwara Temple, Gangaikonda Cholapuram

Great Living Chola Temples of Tamil Nadu

Also see: FAM Trip of Tamil Nadu

The Brihadeshwara Temple of Gangaikonda Cholapuram is a temple dedicated to Shiva. It is one of the largest Shiva temple of South India and is a classic example of Dravidian Temple Architecture.

Brihadeshwara Temple, Gangaikonda Cholapuram

It is part of the UNESCO Heritage site of Great Living Chola Temples. Which includes:

1. Brihadeshwara Temple, Thanjavur (Tanjore) constructed by Raja Raja I (Raja Taja Chola) in 1010
2. Brihadeshwara Temple, Gangaikonda Cholapuram constructed by Rajendra (Rajendra Chola) in 1035
3. Airavatesvara Temple, Darasuram constructed by Raja Raja II in 1166

The temple at Tanjavur was included in the UNESCO list in 1984. In 2004 the other two were included in the list under the common heading of Great Living Chola Temples.