Chola Architecture

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• Special Features of the CholaAs per the traditions, the Chola Country or Cholamandalam was the area bound on the North by the Pennar, South by the Vellaru River, at ..... Architecture
• Vijayalaya Cholisvara Temple, Thanjore
• Koranganatha Temple, Srinivasanallur
• Muvarkovil, Pudukkottai
• Tiruvalisvaram temple, Tiruneveli
• Brihadeeswarar Temple of Tanjore
• Brihadisvara temple, Gangaikondacholapuram

We have read above that in the beginning of the medieval period, the Kings did not directly patronize the religious shrines and gave only indirect support. Most of the artworks were produced by the guilds of the artists who were actually funded by the villages and monks.

The tradition of direct patronization of the temples began with the Pallavas.

The Chola period saw the culmination of this tradition, which resulted in the most sophisticated buildings of that era. The Tamil Nadu temples were fully evolved in their style and design by the 8th century.

Special Features of the Chola Architecture

• The dvarapalas, or guardian figures, at the entrance to the mandapa, or hall which started from the Palava period became a unique feature of the Chola Temples.
• The Dravidian Style got fully developed after a transition from the rock cut strucutres of the PallavaThe Pallava Confederacy Pallava literally means a Branch. The Pallavas were a prominent power in India for more than 4 centuries but there are no records ..... Period.
• Early Chola temples at the Bank of river Kaveri were smaller and brick made, in comparision to the colosus buuildings of the Imperial Cholas.
• The temples of the Imperial Cholas are covered with exquisite well composed sculptures and frescoes.
• Largest and tallest of all Indian temples i.e. Siva Temple of Thanjore was built in Chola Period.
• Ganas, among the sculptures at the temple, are the most memorable figures made in Chola temples

Vijayalaya Cholisvara Temple, Thanjore

Under Pallavas, some of the finest temples had been created at Mahabalipuram and Kanchipuram. However, the largest and most impressive buildings were created under the Cholas post 850 AD, when Vijayalaya CholaThe first medieval Chola ruler was Vijayalaya who in 848 AD re-established the Chola rule. His capital was Thanjaur. The question, whether Vijayalaya was from ..... took the control of Tanjore. The earliest Chola Temple we find at Narthamalai, where Vijayalaya Chola commissioned a temple named "Vijayalaya Cholisvara" temple, dedicated to lord Shiva.

Koranganatha Temple, Srinivasanallur

Koranganatha Temple is located at Srinivasanallur, in Tiruchirapalli District, on the banks of river Cauvery. This temple was built by Parantaka Chola -I . The base of this temple has the sculpted mythical animals 'Yazhi' . Yazhi is a recurring pattern and unique feature of Chola architecture.

Muvarkovil, Pudukkottai

"Muvarkovil" literally means temple of three. It was commissioned by Parantaka Chola -II or one of his feudatories. It has three shrines standing side by side, however, only two are extant now.

Tiruvalisvaram temple, Tiruneveli

Tiruvalisvaram temple is the first example where all features of the Chola temple architecture are seen. It is covered with well compsoed sculptures and friezes. Entire cornice of the temple has been ornated with creepers and foliage.

Brihadeeswarar Temple of Tanjore

Brihadeeswarar Temple or Peruvudaiyar Kovil or Rajrajeshwaram temple at Thanjavur is the world's first complete "granite" temple. It was built by Rajraja Chola-I and is a part of UNESCO's world Heritage sites. The Vimana or the temple tower (known as Raja Gopuram) is 216 Feet in height and is one of the tallest buildings of its kind. The Nandi is carved out of a single rock. This temple has completed 1 millennium in 2010. It was dictated by lord Shiva to Rajraja Chola I, when he triumphed Ilam (Sri Lanka) Island.

Brihadisvara temple, Gangaikondacholapuram

Brihadisvara temple at Gangaikondacholapuram was made by King Rajaraja's son Rajendra I, who assumed the title "Gangaikonda". Gangaikonda Cholapuram was constructed by Rajendra Chola IRajendra Chola I succeeded his father Rajaraja Chola I in 1014 AD and reigned till 1044 AD. He was an able son and prince. He ..... to commemorate his conquest over the Chalukyas and other feudatories, Kalinga, Gangas, Palas etc. . . . These victories led him to assume the title Gangaikonda. Gangaikonda Cholapuram was erected as a new capital of the Cholas, which served as a Capital of the later CholasFrom 1070 AD till 1279 AD, is the period assigned to the later Cholas. During this time, the Chola Empire reached its Zenith and became ..... until the Chola dynasty came to an end in 1280. It is now a small village in Tamil Nadu. There is a great Shiva Temple at Gangaikonda Cholapuram. All the future princes of the Chola dynasty were coronated at the Gangaikonda Cholapuram after Rajendra Chola I. Now, only the temple at the Gangaikonda Cholapuram survives. A magnificent Royal Palace of burnt bricks was built over there, which was later turned to ruins most probably by the Pandyas.  When Rajendra Chola I died in 1044 AD, the extent of the Chola Empire was the widest in the word and naval prestige was highest. The benevolent imperialism of the Cholas was maintained by his successor Rajadhiraja CholaRajadhiraja Chola (1018-1059 AD)was declared crown prince / Co-regent as early as 1018 AD during time of his father Rajendra Chola I. He ruled with ......