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GangaikondaCholapuram is in the Udayarpalayam Taluka (also
spelt as Taluk) in Perambalur district, 245-km from
Chennai and 51-km
from Chidambaram. Rajendra
I, a Chola ruler established GangaikondaCholapuram as his capital city and
built a magnificent temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. There is a big temple,
known as "GangaikondaCholapuram" situated in the east, against
six acres of land.
History Of The Temple
Rajaraja's son and successor, Rajendra I the mightiest emperor in the
history of South India, removed his capital from Thanjavur to
GangaikondaCholapuram. The name of this town means "The town of the
Chola who conquered the Ganga." This temple was constructed during
his reign.
Rajendra I during one of his campaigns to the north brought water from
the river Ganges in a golden pot, and sanctified the reservoir Ponneri or
Cholaganga, hence he was given the title of 'Gangaikondan' (the one who
brought the Ganges).
The king wanted to build a temple equivalent in stature to the
Brihadeeswara Temple at Tanjavur.
And thus the Temple at GangaikondaCholapuram came into existence between
1020 - 29 AD.
It took a long time to complete the temple of GangaikondaCholapuram. The
temple was used as a garrison and fortified cantonment by the Pandyas and
later on by the British during wars. The temple has also been looted in
many occasions, but the architectural and sculpting treasure can never be
looted.
Architecture Of The Temple
The architecture of this temple is an exhibition of intricate carvings on
the hard southern granite stones, discarding the earlier Chola and Pallava
style of subtlety and simplicity. Few sculptures found here are as great
as the sculptures found in any other Chola temples. The walls tell us
stories of many victories of the warrior king, the land donations made
during the period, kings ascending to thrones etc.
The most striking and unique sculptures found here are The Nataraja,
Coronation of King Rajendra Cholan by Lord Shiva and Parvati, the dancing
Ganesh and the most interesting the Ardhanari (the man-woman manifestation
of Lord Shiva).
About The Temple
This temple of dedicated to Lord Shiva is noted for its massiveness and
richly carved sculptures. There are two entrances to the temple. One
entrance is towards north on the Trichy-Chidambaram road and the other is
on the eastern side with a raised tower.
The eastern entry with the raised tower is the main one, as signified by
the two Dwarapalaks (doorkeepers) at the entry. Steps on the south and the
north enable entry to the main temple. After going inside we see a long
and big hall on an old basement.
One can see a huge temple tank that has pots of water from the Ganges
emptied into it by subser-vient kings to the Chola court. There is a big
Nandi in front of the temple, which is made of brick and mortar. A lion
head well with a flight of steps leading to the water level and gigantic
Dwarapalakas are the other thrilling features of this temple. It is
advisable to get a torch, as parts of the temple can be dark.
The Idol
At the sanctum sanctorum, we see the radiant Shiva Linga. Appropriate to
the name, this huge Linga (also spelt as lingam) is carved from a single
stone. Of all the six linga's this is the gigantic one, larger than any
known.
Two walls surround the sanctum sanctorum, the inner and outer, providing
private worship area for the royal family. There is a bull opposite to the
sanctorum of the presiding deity. The Linga (also spelt as lingam) and the
idol of the Goddess are now placed in this hall, which were originally in
the outer county. The wall facing the west features life like relaters,
depicting scriptural stories.
Crossing the huge hall we coupe to the inner count. This is known as the "Light
pillared hall", in the shape of an 'I', with light pillars in two
rows. On the upper side of both the pillars, 53 different Bharathanatya
poses are beautifully displayed.
A well-crafted image of Goddess Saraswati adorns the royal entrance of
the sanctum, which indicates the Chalukyan influence. Also, the presence
of the 'Suryapita' icon, signifying sun worship and the presence of the
'Navagrahas' (nine planets), is said to have been influenced by the
Chalukyan connection.
Air: The nearest airport is at
Trichy.
Rail:The nearest railway station is in Kumbakonam. There are
frequent trains from Mayladudurai, Kumbakonam
and Ariyalur.
Road: There are regular buses from
Kumbakonam almost every hour
and a few other buses to Trichy and Chidambaram. Tourists who wish to
drive from Chennai can reach the temple via the
Chennai-Kumbakonam-Thanjavur highway. It is 245-km from
Chennai, 74-km from
Thanjavur and 34 km from
Kumbakonam.
Accommodation is available at the moderate class hotels and choultries in Chidambaram.