🏛️ Great Living Chola Temples
UNESCO World Heritage ensemble of three monumental Dravidian temples in Tamil Nadu
📋 Fast Facts
- UNESCO World Heritage Site inscribed in 1987, extended 2004
- Three temples: Brihadisvara (Thanjavur, 1010 CE), Brihadisvara (Gangaikondacholapuram, 11th century), Airavatesvara (Darasuram, 12th century)
- Built during Chola dynasty's reign, 10th–12th centuries
- Dedicated to Lord Shiva; active sites of worship with unbroken rituals spanning over 1,000 years
The Great Living Chola Temples comprise three monumental Dravidian structures distributed across Tamil Nadu, India: the Brihadisvara Temple at Thanjavur, the Brihadisvara Temple at Gangaikondacholapuram, and the Airavatesvara Temple at Darasuram. Built between the 10th and 12th centuries by successive Chola rulers, these temples represent the architectural and sculptural zenith of South Indian temple design. Unlike many heritage sites preserved as historical relics, these temples remain active ...