Gangaikonda Cholapuram Temple
Ariyalur district, Tamil Nadu
The Brihadisvara Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva in Gangaikonda Cholapuram, Jayankondam, in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Completed in 1035 CE by Rajendra Chola I as a part of his new capital, this Chola dynasty era temple is similar in design, and has a similar name, as the older 11th century, Brihadeeswarar Temple about 70 kilometres (43 mi) to the southwest in Thanjavur. The Gangaikonda Cholapuram Temple is smaller yet more refined than the Thanjavur Temple. Both are among the largest Shiva temples in South India and examples of Dravidian style temples. The temple is also referred to in texts as Gangaikonda Cholapuram Temple or Gangaikondacholeeswaram Temple
From the Wikipedia article Brihadisvara Temple, Gangaikonda Cholapuram, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where it is
Ariyalur district, Tamil Nadu. Open in Google Maps
How to reach
- By train: nearest station Vriddhachalam railway station (VRI), about 49 km by road.
- By air: Thanjavur Air Force Station (TJV), about 82 km by road.
In-depth temple guides nearby
- Suryanar Kovil and the Navagraha Temples of Kumbakonam – Suryanar Kovil village near Aduthurai, and around Kumbakonam (Thanjavur, Mayiladuthurai and Thiruvarur districts, plus Karaikal) (about 25 km)
- Vaidyanathaswamy Temple, Vaitheeswaran Koil – Vaitheeswaran Koil, between Chidambaram and Sirkazhi, Mayiladuthurai district (about 36 km)
- Arulmigu Swaminatha Swamy Temple, Swamimalai – Swamimalai, near Kumbakonam, Thanjavur district (about 38 km)
- Thillai Nataraja Temple, Chidambaram – Chidambaram, Cuddalore district (about 43 km)
- Sri Dharbaranyeswarar Temple (Sri Saneeswara Bhagavan Sthalam), Thirunallar – Thirunallar, Karaikal district (Puducherry UT) (about 61 km)
Timings and rituals for this temple aren't in our guide yet – check locally before you travel. More temples in Tamil Nadu