At a distance of 42 km Chidambaram, 76 km from Thanjavur, 110 km from Trichy & 268 km from Chennai, Sri Brihadeeswara Temple is located at Gangaikonda Cholapuram. Gangaikonda Cholapuram was the capital of Cholas. It was constructed by Rajendra Chola I, the son and successor of Rajaraja Chola, who conquered a big space in South India originally of the 11th century. It occupies an essential place within the historical past of India because the capital of the Cholas from about 1025 CE for about 250 years. This temple is a part of the UNESCO World Heritage Web site ‘Nice Dwelling Chola Temples’.
Rajendra Chola I has established this temple after his nice victories in Northern India. He was initially referred to as Madurantakan and assumed the title of Rajendra throughout his coronation and continued to rule alongside together with his father Rajaraja-I for some time. Gangai Konda Cholapuram is thought to be the copy of Brihadisvara Temple that was constructed by Rajaraja Chola, father of Rajendra Chola. The temple is famend for having the largest Shivalingam within the Southern a part of India.
The temple was positioned on the middle of the Gangai Konda Cholapuram and occupies round 6 acres of land. The temple has 2 enclosures surrounding the vimana, a lot of the wall was destructed and the granite rocks have been used to assemble a dam throughout the British rule. Archeological Survey of India has renovated and restored the vimana. The 182 ft tall tower over the sanctum is the second largest after Thanjavur temple.
The presiding deity of the temple is Lord Shiva. To supply a personal worship space for the royal household, the sanctum is encircled with two partitions. The stately entrance of the sanctum is adorned by the attractive picture of Goddess Saraswati. Additionally the presence of the Suryapita icon, signifying solar worship and the presence of the Navagrahas mentioned to be influenced by the Chalukyas.
The Linga in Gangai Konda Cholapuram temple is 13.5 ft tall. The Nandi, car of Lord Shiva can be greater than of Thanjavur. The Nandi on this temple is made from lime stone and positioned on the bottom, 200 meters away from the sanctum on this temple. Solar mild falls on Nandi every day and displays on the Lord within the sanctum.
A uncommon stone referred to as Chandrakanta stone is put in beneath the Linga which has a wierd attribute of constructing the sanctum sanctorum cool in summer season and heat in winter. Mom Periya Nayaki, is 9.5 ft tall standing majestically. Mom Durga within the temple graces the devotees as a 9 12 months previous fairly smiling little lady with 20 arms killing demon Mahishasura. She is the household deity of King Rajendra Chola.
Now, a lot of the metropolis is destroyed and solely the temple of Gangai Konda Cholapuram survives.
Maha Shivrathri in February-March, full moon day in October-November, Panguni Utsav in March-April and Margazhi Tiruvadhirai in December-January are the festivals celebrated within the temple.
Timings: 6 AM to 12 PM and four PM to eight PM