Chola temples

By Deven Verma

1. Cholas Temples

2. Chola Temples : Role & Influence Temples reflect a well developed civilization. A number of temples or temple-sites are located in Kaveri region. An account of temples is found befitting here. The temple has had an enduring ideological importance in Indian history, which makes it the central focus of historical processes like religions, social, economic and political. Temple came to be the legitimating institution of the ruling elite, the king in particular, who acquired legitimacy and tried to convey the authority through the temple and its symbolism.

3. Middle of the 9th Century the Cholas emerged Vijayalaya (850-871AD) Founder of the later cholas Cholas ruled the lengthiest reign. Cholas continued and developed the art and architecture of Pallavas They spent major income of the state to the development of art and architecture. Architecture of the Cholas classified into three stages 1. Early Chola temples: 850-985 AD- Vijayalaya chola to Aditya 2. Middle Chola temples: 985-1070 AD- Rajaraja I and Rajendra I 3. Later Chola temples: 1070-1250 AD- Kulothunga I, Rajaraja II and Kullothunga III. Later Cholas or Imperial Cholas Art & Architecture

4. Early Chola temples ( Vijayalaya chola to Aditya ) Main features Stones used for the construction of the temples Small in size and most of them structural temples Vijayalayasolisvaram temple atNarttamalai great example of structural temple which built by Vijayala Chola . he constructed this temple for the memory of his victory over Mutharayas of Tanjore . Square Garbhagraha is generally found in the temples, rarely it is circular Temples are surrounded by a wall with Gopura in front Sub shrines dedicated to pairava or minor gods. There is no separate shrine for devi

5. Major Temples of this period Siva Temple at Kovilpatti , Thoothukudi dist Ayyanarkovil and Muckundesvara Temples at Kudumbalur , Pudukkottai dist Sundaresvara Temple, Tirukkattutalai , Pudukkottai dist Koranganatha Temple, Srinivasanallur , Trichy dist Mahalingaswami Temple, Tiruvidaimarudur , Tanjore dist

6. Middle Chola temples Rajaraja I and Rajendra I Constructed medium size and big structural temple Tiruvalisvaram temple at Brahmadesam in Tirunelveli dist. Great example for medium size temple of middle cholas . Vaidyanatha temple at Tirumalavadi , twin temples of Siva and Vishnu at Dadapuram in South Arcot district also medium size temples of middle Cholas. Maturity of the Cholas temple architecture was found in two great temples constructed in Tanjore and Gangaikonda Cholapuram .

7. Greatest landmark in the history of South Indian Architecture is Brahadeswarar Temple at Tanjore which known as Big Temple or Periya Kovil , Peruvudaiyar Kovil , Raja Rajeswara Temple and Rajarajeswaram . It has many architectural significance which built by Rajaraja I. initiated around in 1003 AD and completed in 1010 A.D This is the largest and tallest temple in Tamil Nadu and one of the largest temples in India . Temple tower is the tallest one which is 216 feet high (66mts). the kumbam in the tower weighs about 60 or 80 tonnes .

8. Economic, Social & Cultural Aspect of Temple The royal temples of the early medieval rulers are to be understood as a statement of political power. They have proved to be an institution of enduring importance, as a symbol of authority and political power. This was Bhakti ideology that was consciously fostered by the Cholas to make the temple the focus of the underlying socio-cultural process of an art tradition, which reached its maturity in the highly stylized visual and verbal representation of the dominant image of the god or king. The temple likewise was a powerful social and economic entity besides being a source of religious inspiration for the people.

9. Continue….. Most of the activities centered round the village temple, which had grown by the time of the Cholas to dominate every aspect of social life all over the country. The role of the temple in the secular life of its neighborhood can hardly be exaggerated and the temple and its affairs were among the chief preoccupations of the local assemblies; and the temples had separate group who were in charge of their managements; but these authorities were subject to the double control of the local assemblies who exercises a general supervision and of the officer of the king who audited the accounts.

10. Continue….. The construction of stone structure has provided employment to the architects, artisans, sculptors and laborers i.e., of much skill and taste in it’s planning and decoration. Religious and musical discourses have helped the propagation of religion, music, dance, and other arts which received great encouragement and provided pure and elevating type of entertainment to the devotees. The granaries of the temple helped to the hungry, and these unable to earn their livelihood due to disease and deformity. There are several instances of even hospitals and dispensaries being run by the temple. The temple played the role of a court of law for settling disputes. The temple also gave shelter to the people during wars.

11. THANK YOU MADE BY DEVEN VERMA CLASS 7 TH D