Top 10 Great Living Chola Temples in Tamil Nadu – Chola dynasty

The Great Living Chola Temples are a group of Hindu temples built during the Chola dynasty in Tamil Nadu, India. They are recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Here are 10 prominent Chola temples in Tamil Nadu.

Brihadisvara Temple, Thanjavur

Also known as the “Big Temple,” it was built by Raja Raja Chola I. It is one of the largest temples in India and a masterpiece of Chola architecture.

Brihadisvara Temple, Gangaikonda Cholapuram

Built by Rajendra Chola I to commemorate his conquest of the Ganges. The temple is renowned for its massive Shiva Lingam and intricate carvings.

Airavatesvara Temple, Darasuram

Constructed by Rajaraja Chola II, this temple is noted for its exquisite stone carvings and detailed architecture.

Vijayalaya Choleeswaram, Narthamalai

One of the early Chola temples, it was built by Vijayalaya Chola. The temple is known for its rock-cut architecture.

Koranganatha Temple, Tiruchirappalli

A lesser-known but historically significant temple, featuring unique sculptures and inscriptions. The temple is situated in the town of Srinivasanallur, about 50 kilometres from Tiruchirappalli.

Rajagopalaswamy Temple, Mannargudi

Rajagopalaswamy temple is a Vaishnava shrine and one of the most ancient temple in Tamil Nadu, was first constructed by Chola and later expanded by Thanjavur Nayaks.
The Rajagopalaswamy temple one of the Tallest gateway tower, largest temple tank and biggest temple chariot in India.

Valisvara Temple, Tirunelveli

The Valisvara Temple in Thiruvalisvaram is one of the best examples of Chola architecture and in Dravidian architecture, Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and known for its artistic features.

Varadharajaperumal Temple, Thirubuvanai

Varadharajaperumal temple of Thirubuvanai is a storehouse of Chola architecture, dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu and maintained and administered by the Archaeological Survey of India as a protected monument.

Varadharaja Perumal Temple in Kanchipuram was renovated by the Cholas, Has inscriptions from various dynasties like Chola, Pandya, Hoysala and Vijayanagara.

Nageswaraswamy Temple, Kumbakonam

Nageswaraswamy Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva in Kumbakonam and temple is counted as the earliest of all Chola temples and Lord Shiva in the guise of Nagaraja, the serpent king.

Kampaheswarar Temple, Thirubuvanam

Kampaheswarar Temple is another Hindu temple dedicated to the god Shiva in Tamil Nadu and considered the last of the four masterpieces built during the Medieval Chola era.

Kailasanathar Temple in Kanchipuram and Vaikunta Perumal Temple in Kanchipuram, Constructed in the Dravidian style of architecture and built by Pallava Dynasty.