gangaikonda cholapuram

twanetdl

This is on the way to Thanjavur. If you're a temple aficionado then this is a must. We were not aficionados but found this temple very calming.

nandhinikarthickumar

Along with brihadeeshwarar and airavateshwarar temple this gangaikonda cholapuram is one another exquisite architectural temple, which is also a UNESCO world heritage site.It is such a serene and calm place that we couldn't step out of the temple even after a long time being there, I felt something is special in this temple than any other. The green lawn adds an extraordinary beauty to this outstanding place

bishwaksen

Gangaikondacholapuram was the capital of the Chola Empire at it zenith. Unfortunately, not much of it survives today. What does survive is this temple - a fantastic reminder of the greatness of Chola art and architecture. For some reason you have to take off your shoes to enter. Once you enter, you first come ot agiant bull statue. Immediately to its right is a well with a huge statue of a lion over it. There are couple of small temples on each side of the main temple. To enter the main temple, you will have to climb over a flight of stairs. The walls of the temple are intricately curved with numerous magnificent statues.

ladyrain72

There was something very surreal about this place... I had first seen pictures of it on my then friend, now husband's FB page... As one of his wedding gifts, he took me to see it.. but sadly, but the time we got there it was already fast approaching dusk and most of the pictures that we had taken were not too clear with the poor lighting... I will post some pictures, so you can be the best judge..~ only one down side.. there was a dog that kept following us, my husband in particular and he joked that it was a Munivar in past life and it was trying to tell him something!!! Ugh!!

maddash-traveler

Its a really outstanding piece of Indian heritage - a well preserved temple of the great southern race, the Cholas. The signposting is average just as most such places are, in India. Read a book before you go! I went there because of the book "The Sceptical Patriot".Its currently not a primary temple for worship - which is good (less crowds).The temple is itself quite nice and the most attractive bit to me was the historical inscriptions on the side of the temple walls. I cannot read them but I would have loved to see a museum with the translations of the temple inscriptions.

Kingoftheslums

A heritage site temple, so well-preserved and well worth visiting. We got there on a local bus from Kumbakonam - around 1.5 hours for a 35 km ride! The location is interesting - basically it's a local village which looks as you might expect with a glorious temple right behind it. We asked for directions to the toilet which turned out to be a field. Apparently, the authorities had been granted funding to build a toilet for visiting tourists but have, ahem, perhaps pocketed the money instead...

machtourism

This is also among the UNESCO World Heritage Site list, the other being Big Temple and Darsuram. This is almost a replica of the Big Temple. The temple is easily accessible from Chidambaram.

Maninmission

The temple is a miniature Thanjavur Big temple. This is an excellent place to photograph... I travelled from Chennai in my way to Thanjavur.... Road is excellent... Except you should avoid, NH 45C..... the temple is surrounded by well maintained lawn..... So the heat of mid day sun does not impact a traveller.... You can easily spend half a day here....

Ilamparithi

Photos speaks more than words. See attached some of the photos. Not much of food options nearby. Not crowded much.

BhoopathiVizag

one of the three temples of great living chola temples. can be compared with big temple thanjavur as its replica.

Ponmalar

Another terrific God Shiva temple. It's another replica of Tanjore Big Temple(Brahgadeeswarar). Beautiful temple and clean maintenance with greenery park surrounding the temple

aptea

Gangaikonda Cholapuram is fantastic. 35km from Kumbhakonam in Tanjaur district of Tamilnadu it is a marvel of architecture built by Rajendra Chola 1 son of Rajaraja Chola. The Shiva linga inside the main temple which is around 200 feet from the main entrance and fifty feet above ground is so placed that the sun light alone lights up the Shiva Linga from day break to sunset. A beautifully maintained lawn and plates rightly placed to guide you in and through. Worth every penny you spend ....don't miss this world Heritage sight.

ArmchairTraveller05

The cholas built temples to be their political statement. And in grand style! It is worth going to look at this temple, especially if you have already been to the Big Temple.

mparam

Well maintained landscape, excellent sculptures in the gopuram and the huge shiv linga in the temple are all similar to those that you would see in Thanjavur Big temple, the only difference is this temple had few visitors and was quiet and calm and very peaceful.

OmprakashPK

Fewer people visit this architecturally better than the big temple of Tanjore. complex is smaller. well maintained. Closed between 1200 hrs and 1600 hrs.