TEMPLES BUILT BY CHOZHAS

Chozha dynasty, is called as one of the longest ruling dynasty of south India. Their inscriptions are found from 3rd century BCE. They are known as one of the three crowned kings of Tamilnadu. CHOZHAS were initially known as choda, killi, sembiyan and cenni. Their rule is divided into four parts- Early Chozhas, middle chozhas, imperial chozhas and their decline. Temples built by chozhas was known as, great living chola temple listed in UNESCO world heritage site. Each temple is popular for its architecture, and have some unique facts too. These temples have stood as, outstanding examples, which represent chozha ideology.

GANGAI KONDA CHOZHAPURAM- Located in Ariyalur district, devoted to Lord shiva, lingam here is 13feet tall, built on one black stone. Rajendran chozhan1 built this temple that it was the wish of his father. Those who lost war, with him were asked to take a handful of water from river Ganga and pour it on the lingam. So the name Gangai Konda chozhapuram. There is a belief, that river Ganga flows here too. On top of the well a lion sculpture indicating chozha simhasanam. This town was named after this temple. When sun rises, the rays that fall on the Nandi will splash on the Lingam. Below the Moolavar lingam there is a stone called Indralekha, which controls the weather. During Panguni Tamil month, Kaavadi festival is celebrated. From Neyveli this temple is easily reachable.

AIRAVATEESHWARAR- This temple is one of the finest architect built by Raja Raja chozha II. It is a world heritage site dedicated to Lord shiva, who is called as, Airavateeshwarar. Airava is an elephant of lord Indra, who was white in color. A curse was put on the animal and it was sent to earth to worship Lord shiva. For years the elephant worshipped in this temple, that you would see sculptures of the elephants all over. There are totally 40,000 sculptures in this temple. The Moolavar sannidhanam is in the form of a chariot. Each pillar has a story. From small sculptures to big ones, you could explore. Popular sculptures are those, where Lord shiva marries Parvathi Devi. Ambal is seen with 8 hands. There is a fleet of steps, to the temple where each step has a note -Sa, Ri, Ga, Ma, Pa, Da, Ni, Sa. Darasuram town named was from an demon named Dara, who did penance in this temple. This town is 3kms away from Kumbakonam that it is also called as, Rajarajapuram.

MOOVAR KOVIL- Located in Kodambalur, Pudukottai district this temple comes under great chozha living temples. There has been a mention of this temple in the Silapathikaram. This town was ruled by Budhi Vikramanesan that along with his wives- Kalraladevi and Anupamadevi, this temple was built. Moovar means three in Tamil that sanctum Nandhi, arthamandapam and dwarapalakars, this temple was built. The unique factor of this temple is, in the Gopuram there is a small design of this temple embedded. Lord shiva statue is made out of a fine black stone, where the floor is built on Katrilai stone a burnt stone. This temple is also known as Muchu kundeshwarar temple. The inside of the temple is of, pyramid structure that there is a well interconnected, which brings all the three temples together. From Tiruchirappalli via Mannparai, this temple is easily reachable.

VIJAYA CHOLEESHWARAM- Located in Pudukottai, 48kms away from Tiruchy, this temple is built out of stone, indicating it was built by the chozhas. This temple is located inside a cave, that it was destroyed and was rebuilt by Malai Vidunan who was also called as, Thenavan Tamizh Madhi Arayar. Chozhas were called as, Sitrarasargal, under pallavas, who grew as powerful kings later. As they rose, with Vijayam thought, this town was named as Vijaya Choleeshwarar. This temple is listed under UNESCO world heritage site. The belief is from this temple, stones were taken to build the perunkovil. Now it is an open temple, which has gone into ruins. It is surrounded by caves, that under the caves inscriptions showing vaishnavism exsisted here.

KAMPHAESWARAR TEMPLE- Built by Kulothungan III who was known as, Thirupola Veera Devan, inscriptions of this temple say, Madurai was a part of Thribhuvana- The place where this temple was built. It was known as, Veeraveshwarar then. The belief was veeraveshwarar Guru was worshipping Lord shiva in this temple, who left inscriptions about Kulothanga king. Sarabeshwarar is popularly worshipped here in Dravidian style of architecture is popularly seen here. Base of this temple is so high that there are lot of designs, layers, that much higher actual temple construction starts. Thribhuvana town comes under, Thanjavur district, where Thico sarees are popular.

Though early chozha era was around 235BCE, their exsistence was known by, Maurya Empire, who brought out their inscriptions. They ruled under single government, and divided provinces as, mandalams. Then districts were called as Nadu. They have played a major part in, Tamil art and architecture, which they left behind as Great Chozha living.