GREAT LIVING CHOLAS TEMPLE,TAMIL NADU,INDIA

The great temple of Thanjavur was built between 1003 and 1010 in the reign of the great King Raja Raja,Founder of the Chola Empire which stretched over all of South India and the neighbouring countries.

The three Chola temples of Southern India represent an outstanding creative achievement in the architectural conception of the pure from dravida type of temple.

The Airatesswara or Darasuram temple built by Raja Raja Chola II is an excellent example of 12 Century Chola architecture and is well preserved to this day.The frontal columns of the temples have unique miniature sculpturs. During the 14th century,the large stone statues surrounding the temple were replaced with brick and mortar statues similar to those found at the Big  temple at Thanjavur.

The great temple monument at Gangaikondacholapuram,the second Brihadisvara Gangaikkondacholesvara temple was built by Rajendra(1012-44),the son of Raja Raja,established after his victorious march to east India up to the river Ganga.