En Manadhai Vendra Gangaikonda Chozhapuram.

Gangaikonda Chozhapuram is one of the most beautiful places I've ever been to. For some reason, I loved this place as much or probably a little more than how much I loved the Big Temple.

This temple is located approximately 72Km from Thanjavur. This city was erected as the capital of the Chozha Kingdom when Rajendra Chozhan triumphed over the Pala Dynasty. Hence the name Gangaikonda Chozhapuram which translates to 'the town of the Chozha who won Ganga (water from the Ganga)'. This city served as the capital of the Chozhas for almost 250 years.

The reason why I think I love this place more than the Big Temple is because this temple is located in the middle of the town and when I went to the upper deck (restricted access), I could totally imagine how it would have back during the Chozha rule, bustling with men, women and children in colorful clothes and fine jewelry, soldiers guarding the temple and the people, decked up elephants and horses, shopkeepers selling their wares, grand chariots and the King passing by. Sigh.

This temple is believed to be the feminine counterpart of the Big Temple in Thanjavur and there are quite a few similarities that you spot in terms of the architecture, design, etc.

Everything from the huge Nandi statue as you enter the temple to the massive Dwarapalakas erected at every entrance from where you can enter the temple are magnificent. Other than these are the various other statues that are carved so perfectly that the sheer beauty of it would make you tear up. 
One other beautiful thing that you wouldn't miss in this temple is the Simhakeni, well in a Simha (Lion) structure. 

Leaving you with some pictures from the most beautiful Gangaikonda Chozhapuram.

 

1. The massive Nandi at the entrance of the temple.

2. The Simhakeni. (a well housed in a Lion's structure)

3. One of the sculptures at the upper deck of the temple.

4. The Kailashanatha Temple.

5. The huge Dwarapalaka right outside the inner Sanctum. What's absolutely mind-blowing about this is that it was carved out of a single stone. How they erected it and the support required for it to not fall leaves ones baffled.

 6. View of the hollow Vimanam from inside. It rises to a height of 55m (~182 ft). 

7. The most beautiful sculpture, in my opinion. Believed to be the sculpture of the coronation of Rajendra Chozha by Lord Shiva and Parvati. 

8. Another beautiful sculpture. Gnana Saraswati. Saraswati without the Veena. 

With this, my Thanjavur tour posts come to an end. I can't wait for my next trip. What are the places that you think are must-visits? Let me know. 

And, for a very beautiful 360* view of the temple, please check this site.

PS: For people who do not understand Tamil, the title means 'The place that stole my heart - Gangaikonda Chozhapuram'.