Gangaikondacholapuram Temple
Gangaikondacholapuram which is actually a temple undertaken and maintained by the UNESCO world heritage team. “The city of Chola who took the Ganges” is the meaning of the name of this place. Brihadeeshvara temple in Gangaikondacholapuram, a replica of Tanjore’s Brihadeeshvara temple, the towered sanctum of this granite Shiva temple is shorter than the one at Tanjore.
Gangaikondacholapuram Temple - Jayankondam - Tamil Nadu
Speciality of the Temple
Brihadeeshvara temple in Gangaikondacholapuram, a replica of Tanjore’s Brihadeeshvara temple, the towered sanctum of this granite Shiva temple is shorter than the one at Tanjore.The temple houses the largest of the Linga idol compared to all the other Shiva temples in Tamil Nadu. The technical significance of the temple is so wondering that every day, the sunlight directly falls on the Bull and gets reflected on the Linga idol in the sanctum.
History
Gangai Konda Cholapuram temple was built by the Chola King Rajendra Chola, who was the successor of the great Chola Emperor Raja Raja Chola. The temple was built to earmark the victory of the King conquering the Northern region of India.
Temple timings
It is open from the early hours of 5.00 am to 12.00 pm and between 4.00 pm to 9.00 pm
Dress Code
No specific dress code is recommended to visit the Gangai Konda Cholapuram temple. Still, costumes like pant-shirt, Dhoti-Shirt, Pyjama-Kurtha, Sarees, Salwars and other dresses covering the upper arm and legs are suggested as a mark of respect to the temple customs.
Festivals
Maha Sivarathri in February-March, Aippasi Full moon day in October-November, Panguni festival in March-April and Margazhi Thiruvadhirai in December-January are the festivals celebrated in this temple in a grand manner.