Archaeological Sites in Tamil Nadu - Gangaikonda Cholapuram, Gingee Fort, Vellore Fort, Seven Pagodas of Mahabalipuram (Paperback)

Please note that the content of this book primarily consists of articles available from Wikipedia or other free sources online. Pages: 28. Chapters: Gangaikonda Cholapuram, Gingee Fort, Vellore Fort, Seven Pagodas of Mahabalipuram, Thirumalai Nayakkar Mahal, Airavatesvara Temple, Thirukkadigai, Dindigul Fort, Shore Temple, Vivekananda Rock Memorial, Thiruvidandai, Keelathooval, Descent of the Ganges, Adichanallur, Kanchi Kailasanathar Temple, Vattakottai Fort, Pancha Rathas, Varaha Cave Temple, Vilapakkam, Thirunadhikkara Cave Temple, Kuadam, Narthamalai, Thirucharanathumalai, Ram Karmabhoomi, Sittanavasal. Excerpt: Gangaikonda Cholapuram (Tamil: ) was erected as the capital of the Cholas by Rajendra Chola I, the son and successor of Rajaraja Chola, the great Chola who conquered a large area in South India at the beginning of the 11th century C.E. It occupies an important place in the history of India. As the capital of the Cholas from about 1025 C.E. for about 250 years, the city controlled the affairs of entire south India, from the Tungabhadra in the north to Ceylon in the south. The great temple of Siva at this place is next only to the Brihadisvara temple at Thanjavur in its monumental nature and surpasses it in sculptural quality. Stone sculpture of Gnana Saraswathi at the templeThe city was founded by Rajendra Chola to commemorate his victory over the Pala Dynasty. The name means The town of the chola who brought Ganga (water from Ganga) or who defeated (the kings near) Ganga. It is now a small village, its past eminence only remembered by the existence of the great Siva Temple. Rajendra Chola-I (1012-1044 A.D) son of the Great Rajaraja-I, established this temple after his great victorious march to river Ganges on Northern India. He was originally called Madurantakan. He assumed the title of Rajendra during his coronation and continued to rule along with his father Rajaraja-I for a while. He was awarded the supreme title of the Cholas k...