Chola Temples - Learn About Its Characteristics, List of Early and Later Chola Temples

The Imperial Cholas were an exceptional South Indian dynasty. The Tanjore line was particularly remarkable. They were renowned for their military conquest, administration, art and architecture. The reign of the Imperial Cholas lasted four and a half centuries. It began in 875 AD and ended in 1279 AD. The period was marked by political stability.

Chola Temples are among the most important topics for the UPSC IAS exam. It covers a significant part of Art and Architecture in the General Studies Paper 1 syllabus and events in the UPSC Prelims General Studies Paper 1 syllabus.

This article overviews the Early Chola temples, Later Chola Temples, a List of Temples of the Chola Period, and other facts related to the UPSC exams.

You can Download Art and Culture UPSC Notes for I.A.S. Exam here!

About Chola Temple

The Cholas, known for fostering a sophisticated culture and thriving trade, excelled in temple construction, with enduring creations like the Great Living Chola Temples such as Brihadisvara Temple, Gangaikondacholisvaram, and Darasuram. These temples exemplify the Dravidian style of architecture. The Chola Empire expanded beyond the Indian subcontinent, and their navy controlled the Bay of Bengal, creating the Chola Lake. They ruled territories including Cholamandalam, Kanyakumari, Bengal, and the Coromandel coast, with influence reaching Indonesia, the Maldives, and Sri Lanka. The Cholas' impactful legacy is evident in the cultural and linguistic traces they left behind in these regions, still visible today.

Also, learn about the Chola Kingdom here!

List of Temples of the Chola Period 

Some Temples of Chola Period, their Location and King who built as as follows

Temple	King	Location
Tiruvalisvaram	Rajaraja I	Brahmadesam
Uttarakailash	Rajaraja I	Tiruvadi
Vaidyanath	Rajaraja I	Tirumalavadi
Rajarajeshwar	Rajaraja I	Tanjore
Gangaikondachola-puram	Rajaraja I	Gangaikondachola-puram
Airavateswara	Rajaraja I	Darasuram
Kampahareswara	Kulotunga III	Tribhuvanam
Vijayala-Cholesvara	Vijayala	Narta Malai
Balasuramanya	Aditya I	Kannanur
Naveswara	Aditya I	Kumbakunam
Koran Ganatha	Parantaka I	Srinivas Nallur

Characteristics of Chola Temple

The following table gives details of early Chola temple.

Characteristics	Description
Size	The early Chola temples were relatively small compared to the later Chola temples.
Purpose	The main purpose of building these temples was to create a spiritual and peaceful environment for the devotees.
Figures depicted	The walls of many Chola temples feature depictions of numerous diminutive figures known as 'ganas'. These carvings are a common sight in Shiva temples during the early Chola period.
Temple walls	During the early Chola period, the walls of many Shiva temples were decorated with depictions of ganas
Siva's ganas	Devoted to Siva and always close to him. In Hinduism, the Gaṇas are attendants of Shiva and live on Mount Kailash.
Perfection	Exquisite works of art with harmonious carving details
Figures	The figures present in Chola temples are known for evoking a sense of tranquility, elegance, and wonder at the marvels of creation.

Also, learn about Vijayanagar Empire.

Vijayalaya Cholisvara Temple

The Vijayalaya Cholisvaram temple is an exemplary model of early Chola architecture. It is located in Narttamalai village, Pudukkottai district. The temple was built by Vijayalaya Cholan in 850-871 CE. It is constructed entirely in stone. 

Fig: Vijayalaya Cholisvara Temple

• The temple has remained intact for the past 1200 years. 
• It has undergone no further additions. 
• The Vijayalaya Cholisvaram temple is situated atop the Melamalai hill. 
• It is part of a cluster of nine hills. 
• Narttamalai village is home to two rock-cut cave temples.
• One is dedicated to Shiva, and the other to Vishnu.
• The village was previously known as Nagarathar Malai.
• It was under the administration of merchants from previous dynasties.

The architecture of Vijayalaya Cholisvara Temple
Features	Description
Type of Temple	Structural stone temple
Layout	Main shrine in the center with eight sub-shrines
Current Status of Sub-Shrines	Only six remain
Sanctum	Square-shaped with a bulbous shikara
Mandapa	Rectangular open mandapa in front of each sub-shrine
Wall Enclosure	Traces of a wall surrounding the enclosure with the gateway in the east
Gopuram	No gopuram at the entrance
Vimana	Four-storied tower with a circular shikara, resembling Pallava monuments
Ardhamandapa	Has 6 pillars and a flat ceiling
Parapet Wall	Decorated with a series of miniature shrines called panjaras
Sculptures	Row of yazhi and elephant sculptures on the outer wall of ardhamandapa
Entrance Guards	5 feet tall, with armlets, bracelets, necklaces, belts, and sacred thread
Nandi	Placed inside a small mandapa with four pillars, missing the terrace above the pillars

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Brahmapurisvara temple

The Brahmapureeswarar temple is located in Tirupattur, Trichy. It is a significant shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva. The main deity is a Swayambu Lingam. The deity is known as Brahmapureeswarar.

• Brahmapureeswarar altered the fate of Brahma.
• The temple is home to the rare sight of Brahma.
• The mother deity is called Brahmanayaki/Brahma Sampath Gowri.
• Sage Patanjali achieved Siddhi in ten temples, including the Brahmapureeswarar temple.
• He is believed to have achieved salvation.
• The Brahmapureeswarar temple is an important religious site.
• It is significant for both devotees of Shiva and Patanjali.
• The temple attracts visitors from all over the world.

Fig: Brahmapurisvara temple

The architecture of Brahmapureeswarar Temple
Deity	Location	Description
Sri Brahmapureeswarar	Sanctum	Shiva as Swayambu Lingam, surrounded by 7 entrances representing each day of the week
Brahma Sampath Gowri	Adjacent to main shrine	Parvati
Brahma	Adjacent to main shrine	Idol in meditative position, seated on a lotus
Maharishi Patanjali	Second prakaram	Deities of 9 planets
Surya Deva, Kala Bhairava, Gajalakshmi, and Chandikeswarar	Inner prakaram	Shrines for different deities
Shodasalings	Special mandapam	Sixteen-striped idols worshipped by Brahma
Shanmughanathar/Subramanya	Inner prakaram	Shrine located near Karpaga Vinayagar
Dakshinamurthy	Southern prakaram	Adjacent to Brahma shrine

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Moovar Koil

The Moovar Koil is a Hindu temple complex. It is located in the village of Kodumbalur in Tamil Nadu, India. The temple was constructed by Boothi Vikramakesari. Boothi was a Chola feudatory and Irukkuvel chieftain.

• The temple complex is known as "The Three Temples".
• However, only two of the three temples have survived.
• Kodumbalur was ruled by Irukkuvel chieftains in the past.
• It witnessed a significant battle between the Pandyas and the Pallavas.
• The Moovar Koil temple complex is located in Kodumbalur.
• The Moovar Koil complex holds immense historical significance.

Fig: Moovar Koil

The architecture of Moovar Koil Temple Complex
Feature	Description
Surviving Shrines	Two out of three shrines have survived
Dimensions	Central shrine: 6.4 square metres at the base
Orientation	All shrines face west
Architectural Features	Basement moulded like a full-blown lotus flower, walls rich in details, circular pilasters with circular shafts on four sides of the vimana
Antiquity	Temple is counted among the four early extant temples of the Chola Empire
Style	Pallava architecture, relatively small in size, fair-sized porch (ardhamandapa) attached to the sanctum
Material	Predominantly built of stone
Nearby Temple	Muchukundeswarar temple of Early Chola period

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The Koranganatha Temple

The Koranganatha Temple is a Hindu place of worship. It's located in the town of Srinivasanallur in Tamil Nadu.

• It's dedicated to Hindu god Vishnu in the form of Ranganatha.
• The temple was constructed by the Medieval Cholas.
• Its upkeep and protection are managed by the Muthuraiyar / Muthuraja community.
• They claim to be the descendants of the Cholas.
• The temple is currently under the protection of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

Fig: The Koranganatha Temple

The architecture of The Koranganatha Temple
Feature	Description
Style	Historians believe that the temple follows the Nagara style in architecture, particularly in the vimana.
Size	The total length of the temple is 15.3 m (50 ft), and the shikhara measures 15.3 m (50 ft). The sanctum is square in shape, measuring 3.7 m (12 ft), with a small vestibule leading to a four-pillared hall.
Sculptures	The sculpted figures in the temple are more heavily ornamented than those in any other temple from the same period.
Inscriptions	The temple has multiple inscriptions from the Chola empire, but none of them provide information regarding the origins or construction of the temple.
Depicted Figures	The temple contains multiple images of Dakshinamurthy, Bhikshatana, Vishnu, and other Hindu legends

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Later Chola Temples

The Chola dynasty ruled southern India. They had a great affinity for the arts. Magnificent temples were commissioned by them. Exquisite bronze icons were also commissioned by them.

• The Great Living Chola Temples are located in Tamil Nadu.
• They are prime examples of Chola patronage.
• Three temples were constructed during the 11th and 12th centuries.
• The Temple of Gangaikondacholisvaram is one of them.
• The Airavatesvara temple at Darasuram is another.
• The Brihadisvara temples of Thanjavur complete the trio.
• The temples are a testament to the Chola dynasty's artistic and architectural prowess.
• They continue to captivate visitors with their stunning beauty.
• The temples are also known for their intricate detailing.

 Learn about the Pallava Dynasty here!

Brihadisvara Temple at Thanjavur

The Brihadisvara Temple in Thanjavur was constructed under the reign of Rajaraja. The temple's design was planned by the renowned architect Sama Varma.

• It features a towering 13-story pyramidal Vimana.
• The Vimana stands tall at 66m.
• The temple's Vimana is crowned with a bulbous monolith.
• The Brihadisvara Temple has a spacious inner Prakara.
• The Prakara measures 240.90m in length from east to west.
• It measures 122m in width from north to south.
• The Prakara has entrances at the east and three other ordinary Torana entrances on either side.

Gangaikondacholapuram

Rajendra I was the son of Rajaraja. He achieved the first successful campaign of a southern ruler in northern India. He brought holy water from the Ganga. He established a new capital close to Thanjavur.

• The new capital was named Gangaikondacholapuram.
• The name signified the captu,re of Ganga by the Chola ruler.
• Rajendra I constructed a grand temple at his new capital.
• The temple was similar to his father's Brihadeesvara Temple, albeit not as tall.
• The Vimana of the temple boasts intricate carvings and an unusual concave shape.
• The temple has numerous niches around the Vimana.
• An iconic sculpture of Siva granting blessings to his devotee Chandesha adorns these niches.

Airavatesvara Temple at Darasuram

The Airavatesvara Temple in Darasuram is devoted to Lord Shiva.

• It was constructed by Rajaraja II.
• The temple has six pairs of enormous dvarapalas statues.
• These statues are made from monolithic rocks and guard the entrances.
• Inside the temple, there are beautiful bronze sculptures.
• The temple has a 24-meter Vimana and a stone statue of Shiva.

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Great Living Chola Temple

The Cholas, renowned for their passion for construction, gained acclaim for the magnificent Chola temples, considered among the finest architectural marvels in South India. UNESCO acknowledged the outstanding craftsmanship and designated a cluster of temples, constructed by the Chola Dynasty, as 'The Great Living Chola Temples of Tamil Nadu.'

Spanning the 11th and 12th centuries A.D., The Great Living Chola Temples comprise Brihadisvara in Thanjavur, Brihadisvara in Gangaikondacholapuram, and Airavatesvara in Darasuram, all recognized by UNESCO. This collection of temples is exceptional, representing the zenith of progressive Chola architecture and encapsulating the pinnacle of Chola history in Tamil Nadu.

Conclusion

Chola temples are amazing architectural wonders in India. They were built a long time ago. They show how talented and creative the Chola people were. The temples are full of beautiful carvings and designs. These carvings are very intricate and detailed. People still admire and appreciate the temples today. The Chola temples are a wonderful example of Indian architecture. They reflect the creativity and technical expertise of the Chola dynasty.

UPSC CSE Mains Question on Chola Temples

• Discuss the ‘Tandava’ dance as recorded in early Indian inscriptions. (b) Chola architecture represents a high watermark in the evolution of temple architecture. Discuss. (UPSC CSE Mains 2013)

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