Explore

About me

Am a contradiction of sorts. i love going out and having a good time with friends, and i can also stay home chill out over a book or a movie..

Am very passionate about writing, so give me a topic and watch me float away into wonderland... Love reading books- sometimes i read 3books simultaneously, crazy about music- need it all around me, all the time and ofcourse, i totally am ga ga goo goo over my 7yr old naughty brat- Floppy!! errr, Prince Floppy!! :)

Thursday, January 17, 2013

Skywatch Friday... Grandeur Galore

I couldnt believe myself. I was actually there, a place I had been wanting to visit for quite sometime now. This was such an impulse trip, and I was loving every minute of it. Where was I? I was in the temple town of Kumbakonam, more importantly I was standing at the entrance to the infamous temple complex- "Gangai konda Cholapuram
A man who was watering the plants came over and asked where I was from and what I was doing there.  When I told him I was from Chennai and here just to explore the place, he was quite fascinated. Said he maintained the temple premises, the garden mainly and had been working there for nearly a decade. Asked if I would like to know more about the place and I happily nodded my head. He guided me around the place, sharing information on the history, the ruler, and the various temples within the premises. 

Here is what I learnt,

What was once a city founded by Rajendra Chola is today a rustic village and all that remains is this grandeur [ASI] property. It was founded to commemorate the King's victorious march to the Ganges.  This was also the capital of Chola empire during the 11th Century CE for almost 250 years from then. Emperor Rajendra wore the title of Gangaikonda Cholan when his army captured the Ganges Plains. That is how the place came to be named Gangaikonda Cholapuram. 

It’s from here that the Chola empire expanded reaching great heights. They went on to control South India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia & even parts of Indonesia. It is believed that Rajendra Chola’s army brought water from the River Ganges to Gangikonda Cholapuram, filling up the tanks.    



The first thing that catches your eye is the larger than life Nandi (Siva’s Bull) at the entrance of the Maha mandapam. I know that the Nandi stands guard in all such temples, but here it is huge, and then there is a smaller one on the landing above the staircase. The attention to detail, and the intricate carvings on the Nandi are beautiful, you can make our each curve, each bell around its neck and the work on its legs as well. 
For more beautiful skies, visit Skywatch Friday

13 comments:

  1. That golden cow is gorgeous!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Nice post!
    Beautifully captured!
    http://amitaag.blogspot.in/2013/01/theres-more-to-beach.html

    ReplyDelete
  3. First picture is so grand and shows us how huge the Nandi is! Beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
  4. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  5. This is a grand place. I loved visiting this place.

    ReplyDelete
  6. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Nice shots. Yet to visit the temple.

    www.rajniranjandas.blogspot.in

    ReplyDelete
  8. Thanks for sharing your experience with us...Gangai Konda Cholapuram temple’s visit is one of the fascinating trip.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Hi, Please support our new Facebook page 'I Love Mahabalipuram'! We could use with some Admin help too for content!
    https://www.facebook.com/ILoveMahabalipuram

    Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Hi
    Thanks for sharing much valuable information with us. I would love to this place in future.
    http://www.compasstours.com

    ReplyDelete
  11. its one of very well written article which i have been seen.
    www.kata-india.com

    ReplyDelete

Leave your footprint so i know you visited.. Thank you..