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Great Living Chola Temples The Great Living Chola Temples were built during the Chola rule by kings of the Chola Empire, which stretched all over south India and the neighbouring islands. The site includes three great temples namely, the Brihadisvara Temple at Thanjavur, the Brihadisvara Temple at Gangaikondacholisvaram and the Airavatesvara Temple at Darasuram, built during 11th and 12th century. The Brihadisvara Temple at Thanjavur was built by the great ruler Rajaraja Chola and is a brilliant example of Dravidian temple architecture. The tower or Vimana of the temple is 70m high and is the biggest in the world. The crown or Sikaram is believed to be carved from single stone and weight around 82 tones. Lord Shiva, in the form of Shivaling, is the main deity who has been worshipped here since that time. The Shivaling at Brihadisvara is perhaps the most glorious in existence. With a height of 8.7 meters, it is the largest Shivaling in the world. Architecturally the temple is the most ambitious structural granite temple to be ever built in the world. The mural paintings of the lower ambulatory side are fine examples of Chola period art. A local Maratha ruler named Sarfoji rebuilt the Ganesha shrine. Later the celebrated Thanjavur style of paintings was superimposed over the Chola murals. The Gangaikondacholapuram temple was thus built in the golden era of Chola rule, and was an effort by Rajendra Chola to advance the architectural passion of his father. The Temple of Gangaikondacholisvaram was completed in 1035 and its 53m Vimana or tower has recessed corners and a graceful upward curving movement, contrasting with the straight and severe tower at Thanjavur. It is built on hard southern granite stone and with the influence of Pallava and Dynasty styles. The Airavatesvara temple complex, built by Rajaraja II, at Darasuram features a 24m Vimana or tower and a stone image of Shiva. The temples testify to the brilliant achievements of the Chola in architecture, sculpture, painting and bronze casting. World Heritage Site IndiaAgra Fort | Ajanta Caves | Buddhist Monuments at Sanchi | Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park | Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus | Churches and Convents of Goa| The Elephant Caves | Ellora Caves | Fatehpur Sikri | Great Living Chola TemplesGroup of Monuments at Hampi | Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram | Group of Monuments at Pattadakal | Humanyun’s Tomb, Delhi | Khajuraho Group of Monuments | Mahabodhi Temple Complex at Bodh Gaya | Mountain Railways of India The Qutab Minar and its Monuments | Red Fort Complex | Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka Sun Temple, Konârak | Taj Mahal, Agra | Natural |