The
ancient town of Gangai Konda Cholapuram in Tamil Nadu is an hour's drive
from Chidambram. It was the capital of the Cholas till their fall in the
13th century. This place is well known for the Gangai Konda Cholapuram
temple which was built in 11th century, to commemorate Chola King's conquest
up to the Gangetic plain. The temple is one of the very ancient temples of
Tamil Nadu, built in the Chola style. The temple is lavishly sculpted with
beautiful stone sculptures including a dancing Ganesha, a lion headed well
and a stunning freeze depicting Rajendra being crowned by Siva and Parvati.
Best Time & Climate :
The climate of Gagai Konda Cholapuram is tropical with temperature of
around 37°C in the summers and around 20°C in the winters. The
best time to visit is during winter season.
How to reach there ?
» By Air - The nearest airports are Tiruchirapalli
(230 km). From Tiruchirapalli, domestic flights can be taken to Chennai
which inturn is connected to all the major cities in India and abroad
through regular flights.
» By Rail - Chidambaram is connected with
Tiruchirapalli, Madras, Madurai, Rameswaram, Bangalore and Tirupati.
» By Road - Frequent bus services are available to
various places in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Pondicherry
states from Gangai Konda Cholapuram. There are non-stop bus services and
express bus services to major cities like Chennai.
Must Visit :
» Gangai Konda Cholapuram Temple - The temple was
built by Rajendra Cholan, son of Raja Raja Cholan who built the Big Temple -
Brahedeeswarar Temple - of Thanjavur. It was his desire to hallow a temple
similar to the one built by his father and he patterned Gangai Konda
Cholapuram as a replica of the Brihadisvara Temple. Modelled along the lines
of the Thanjavur temple, it has a 9 storey vimanam, 185 feet tall, biggest
Shiva lingam in South India and breath taking sculpture. The temple of
Gangai Konda Cholapuram is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is facing the east.
The entire temple abounds with rich, beautiful and intricately carved Chola
style sculptures on the walls as well as on the roof, 42 in number. A
dancing Nataraja, Saraswathi in blissful trance, the Lord adorning the head
of Chandeswara sitting at His feet, with a string of flowers and a whole lot
of them, creation of the highest kind of dedication and devotion,
enthralling and enticing the hearts of the perceiver. The temple is 54.86 m
high and in arrangement follows its Thanjavur predecessor. It also houses
some remarkable bronzes of the Chola age.
» Chidambaram - 50 kms from Gangai Konda Cholapuram,
Chidambaram is famous for its Nataraja Temple or The Chidambaram Temple.
Covering an area of 40 acres, the temple is situated at the heart of the
city. The temple has a gold plated roof, towering over the presiding deity,
Akasa Lingam - the Lingam of Space. The Lord is worshipped in different
temples as representing the five elements - earth, water, fire, wind and
ether. One of the special features of this temple is a splendid bejewelled
Nataraja image. The temple complex reflects an assortment of architectural
and sculptural styles amalgamated over several centuries.
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