The nondescript village of Gangaikondacholapuram is home to the magnificent ruins of the Brihadeesvara Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. King Rajendra Chola I (r. 1012-1044 CE) built this temple to celebrate his conquest of lands up to present-day Bangladesh. From this triumphant journey, he brought back the waters of the sacred Ganga and poured it into the absolutely enormous tank here, then named Chola Ganga and now referred to as Ponneri. He assumed the title Gangaikondachola and constructed the great temple at Gangaikondacholapuram (the Chola land where the Ganga was brought/ conquered). The temple is almost an exact replica of the Big Temple of Thanjavur.

Entrance of Brihadeesvara Temple, Gangaikondacholapuram
Entrance of Brihadeesvara Temple, Gangaikondacholapuram

When to go November to May Location 80 km north of Thanjavur Air Nearest airport:

Tiruchirappalli Rail Nearest rail: Ariyalur

THE INFORMATION

Tourist Offices

Tamil Nadu Tourism Complex

No. 2, Wallajah Road, Chennai

Tel: 044-25368358

Cell: 09176995863

W tamilnadutourism.org

Tamil Nadu Tourism

Hotel Tamil Nadu Complex

Dr Nachiappa Road

Coimbatore. Tel: 0422-2303176

Tamil Nadu Tourism Complex

C-1, State Emporia Complex

Baba Kharag Singh Marg

New Delhi. Tel: 011-23366327

Yelagiri Hills

Tamil Nadu Tourism

Fort Complex

Vellore Port, Vellore

Tel: 0416-2217974

Cell: 09865323653

STD code 0416

Hogenakkal

TTDC

Hotel Tamil Nadu

Via Pennagaam

Hogenakkal

Tel: 04342-256447

STD code 04342

Red Hills

Tamil Nadu Tourism

Wenlock Road

Udhagamandalam (Ooty)

Tel: 0423-2443977

Cell: 09176995875

STD code 0423

 

THE INFORMATION

Gangaikondacholapuram

Tamil Nadu Tourism

Hotel Tamil Nadu Complex

Thanjavur

Tel: 04362-230984

Cell: 09176995873

STD code 04362

Palani Hills

TTDC

Hotel Tamil Nadu

Opp Winch Station

West Giri Station

Palani

Tel: 04545-241156

W tamilnadutourism.org

Tamil Nadu Tourism Complex

Poet Thyagaraja Road

Kodaikanal

Tel: 04542-241675

Cell: 09176995867

STD code 04545

Kamarajar Valley

Tamil Nadu Tourism

1, West Veli Street

Madurai

Tel: 0452-2334757

Cell: 09176995868

STD code 0452

Courtallam

TTDC

Hotel Tamil Nadu 1

Opp Parashakthi Womens’ College

Courtallam

Tel: 04633-283003

STD code 04633