Great Living Chola Temples
Encyclopedia
The Great Living Chola Temples are temples built during the Chola rule in the south of India
. These temples are the Brihadisvara Temple at Thanjavur, the Temple of Gangaikondacholisvaram
and the Airavatesvara Temple
at Darasuram
. The Brihadisvara Temple was declared by UNESCO
as a World Heritage Site
in 1987; the Temple of Gangaikondacholisvaram and the Airavatesvara Temple at Darasuram
were added as extensions to the site in 2004. The site is now known as the "Great Living Chola Temples".
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. These temples are the Brihadisvara Temple at Thanjavur, the Temple of Gangaikondacholisvaram
Gangaikonda Cholapuram
Gangaikonda Cholapuram was erected as the capital of the Cholas by Rajendra Chola I, the son and successor of Rajaraja Chola, the great Chola who conquered a large area in South India at the beginning of the 11th century C.E. It occupies an important place in the history of India. As the capital...
and the Airavatesvara Temple
Airavatesvara Temple
Airavatesvara Temple is a Hindu temple of Dravidian architecture located in the town of Darasuram, near Kumbakonam in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu...
at Darasuram
Darasuram
Darasuram or Dharasuram is a panchayat town located 3 kilometres from Kumbakonam in Thanjavur district, Tamil Nadu, India. According to the 2001 census, the town had a population of 13,027. The town is known for the Airavateswara temple constructed by the Rajaraja Chola II in the 12th century AD...
. The Brihadisvara Temple was declared by UNESCO
UNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations...
as a World Heritage Site
World Heritage Site
A UNESCO World Heritage Site is a place that is listed by the UNESCO as of special cultural or physical significance...
in 1987; the Temple of Gangaikondacholisvaram and the Airavatesvara Temple at Darasuram
Darasuram
Darasuram or Dharasuram is a panchayat town located 3 kilometres from Kumbakonam in Thanjavur district, Tamil Nadu, India. According to the 2001 census, the town had a population of 13,027. The town is known for the Airavateswara temple constructed by the Rajaraja Chola II in the 12th century AD...
were added as extensions to the site in 2004. The site is now known as the "Great Living Chola Temples".