List of Temples Built during the Chola Period

The Chola rulers were not only mighty conquerors and great administrators, but also great builders. They were great patrons of art; during their reign, the most magnificent temples and exquisite bronze icons were created in South India. There are three great 11th- and 12th-century Temples i.e. Airavatesvara Temple at Darasuram, the Brihadisvara Temple at Gangaikondacholisvaram and the Brihadisvara Temple at Thanjavur. These temples of Southern India represent an outstanding creative achievement in the architectural conception of the pure form of the Dravida type of temple which are now known as the "Great Living Chola Temples".Here, we are giving the list of temples built during the Chola Period for general awareness.

Features of Temple Architecture of the Chola Empire

1. Dravidian style of temple architecture

2. Most of the Chola temples were carved in the temple walls.

3. Deity were placed at Garbhagriha.

4. Use of carved miniature images of gods and goddesses.

5. The principal deity of the temples are Lord Shiva.

6. The dvarapalas, or guardian figures, at the entrance to the mandapa, or hall, which started from the Palava period became a unique feature of the Chola Temples.

7. Vimanas were the important part of the temple. They were assumed massive size during this period.

8. Statues of kings were installed in temples. This promoted the cult of king as Godhead.

List of Temples of the Chola Period

List of Rock Edicts (Minor & Major) and Pillar Edicts

Great Living Chola Temples

The Great Living Chola Temples are situated in the southern state of Tamil Nadu, which were built during the Chola rule in the south of India. The Cholas were great patrons of art; during their reign, the most magnificent temples and exquisite bronze icons were created in South India. There are three great Chola Temples of the 11th and 12th century, the Brihadisvara temples of Thanjavur, the Temple of Gangaikondacholisvaram, and the Airavatesvara temple at Darasuram.

1. Brihadisvara Temple at Thanjavur

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It was built during the reign of the Chola emperor Rajaraja and designed by the famous architect Sama Varma between 1003 and 1010 AD. It is enthrone with 13-storey pyramidal tower, the Vimana, standing 66 m high and topped with a bulb-shaped monolith. It is within a spacious inner Prakara of 240.90m long (east-west) and 122m broad (north-south), with a Gopura at the east and three other ordinary Torana entrances on at each lateral side and the third at rear.

2. The Brihadisvara Temple at Gangaikondacholisvaram

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It was built by the Chola emperor Rajendra I. It is described as the feminine counterpart of the Thanjavur temple.

3. Airavatesvara Temple at Darasuram

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It was built by Rajaraja II and the temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. This temple has six pairs of massive, monolithic dvarapalas statues guarding the entrances and bronzes of remarkable beauty inside. For example- 24 m Vimana and a stone image of Shiva.

List of Cholas Rulers and their contribution

The Chola periods are regarded as one of the most creative and formative periods of finest artistic achievements for the monumentality of conception, architectural grandeur, powerful sculpture and fine painting. Temple of Chola period were built almost entirely of stone, hard granite laid in horizontal courses with no mortar. A striking feature of the temples built in the Kaveri region is that so much stone has been procured in a riverine land with no local sources. In the above list of temples built druing the Chola period will enhance the general knowledge of the readers.

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