The Great Living Chola Temples Tours

The period of the imperial Cholas (c. 850 CE - 1250 CE) was an age of continuous improvement and refinement of the Dravidian art and architecture.The Cholas continued the temple building traditions of the Pallava dynasty and elevated the Dravidian temple design to greater heights.

They built temples such as the Brihadeshvara Temple of Thanjavur and Brihadeshvara Temple of Gangaikonda Cholapuram, the Airavatesvara Temple of Darasuram and the Sarabeswara (Shiva )Temple, also called the Kampahareswarar Temple at Thirubhuvanam, the last two temples being located near Kumbakonam. All the four temples were built over a period of nearly 200 years reflecting the glory, prosperity and stability under the Chola emperors.

The Great Living Chola Temples are important Hindu Temples that were built during the 10th through 12th centuries CE in the south of India Tour, and together have been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The temples are the Brihadeeswarar Temple at Thanjavur, Brihadeeswarar temple at Gangaikonda Cholapuram and the Airavatesvara Temple at Darasuram. The Brihadeeswarar temple was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987. 

The Temple of Gangaikondacholisvaram and the Airavatesvarar temple were added as extensions to the site in 2004. The site is now known as the "Great Living Chola Temples".The temple "testify to the brilliant achievements of the Chola in architecture, sculpture, painting and bronze casting.