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.
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 |