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Gangaikonda Cholapuram

 After having been to Raja Raja Cholan and his Grandson built marvels, it would be unfair to ignore his Son built temple. So on the third and last day in Kumakonam we made it to Gangaikonda Cholapuram right after having our breakfast and check out from the hotel. We need to take the same by-pass from the hotel but in the opposite direction to reach Gangaikonda Cholapuram in 50 mins via Anaikarai and Thirupananthaal. After having crossed 3/4 th of the distance we need to drive through the Anaikkarai bridge which is on the Kollidam river. This bridge is one way only, so police personnel ask one side traffic to wait through while the other side drives through and vice-versa. Due to recent rains, we could see water brimming on both sides of the bridge.

Unlike Airavateeswarar temple, this temple had lot of tourists visiting. Another Brahadeeswarar temple replica but the Lord here in the form of Lingam, is a foot bigger than in the Brahadeeshwarar temple. Even the Nandi is similar to big temple. But both the Lingam and the Nandi are not in raised platforms like the Brahadeeshwarar temple.

From history we come to know that Raja Raja cholan's son Rajendra Cholan made Jayamkondaan as his kingdom's capital. This way he moved away from the Brahadeeshwarar temple and hence had to build a similar one here near Jayamkondaan. Since Rajendra Chola went all the way up north with his troops and brought the water of river Ganga as a mark of this victory he is called Gangaikonda Cholan and hence the name of this temple which is built by him.

This temple too is with ASI and listed in the UNESCO's heritage sites. Many areas of the temple are destroyed as part of the wars fought. All stones are marked here too by the ASI to get them replaced in case of any damage. The sculptures here are more intricate. Here too the entrance looks unfinished.

The main deity is known has Peruvudaiyar and his consort is Periyanayagi Amman. Apart from separate sanctums to the two of them, we could also see Ganapathi and Murugar. You take pictures here from any angle and it looks picture perfect. We spent around an hour here, looking through the sculptures and clicking pictures.

Once out of the temple, we drove through Ariyalur, Virudhachalam to Chennai. Started from here at 12 noon and reached Chennai by 4:30 PM after a 20 mins lunch at Marudhandhagam. This completes are year end journey or the last trip of 2021. Hope we have more of them in 2022, till then - Happy 2022!





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Location: Ariyalur, Tamil Nadu, India

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