Gangaikondacholapuram

Gangaikondacholapuram is located about 41KM from Kumbakonam.

Gangaikondapuram visit was a part of my Kumbakonam visit and I must have spent about two hours here. I decided to take a bus to visit the temple. At the bus stand, I enquired if there was any direct buses plying to or via gangaikondacholapuram. I was told that a bridge in that area has collapsed, so I can take a bus until the bridge and then walk about 2 miles and then take another bus. I was thinking “Walking!!! That was a NO NO”. The localite continued saying that I can take a bus to Jayankondam instead and then change bus to Gangaikondacholapuram. I reached Jayankondam, in about an hour. I then changed bus and travel about 5-7 km to reach Gangaikondacholapuram. As I was reaching the place, I could see the imposing temple structure on the right hand side and I was wow!!!... It was a cloudy day, and it looked as if it would rain anytime. Since I was not carrying any rain gear(umbrella, waterproof bags) but had my camera, I was hoping that it should not rain for couple of hours, even-though I like rains and like getting wet in rain.

I met the contact, whose detail I got from Kumbakonam. I was hoping he would take me around the place explaining the facts, and he just did that. I will mention the history of the place before I add pictures.

Gangaikondacholapuram, was established as the capital during the reign of Rajendra Cholan I, son of Raja raja Cholan I. It was a normal practice that when a new king succeeds, he would establish his capital in a different location. The Cholans had a very powerful navy fleet. Their rule extended to parts of Malayasia, Java, Sumatra on the east. To Srilanka in the south. They had even conquered until the Ganges. To commemorate the victory, the Shiva temple was built, it was only next to the brihadeeshwara temple in Tanjore(built byhis father). The Cholan army also brought large quantity of water from Ganges. Since he had brought the Ganges, he was known as ‘Gangai Kondan’. The place was subsequently named Gangaikondacholapuram. Rajendra Chola I, had used the water from Ganges during Kumbhabishekam of the Shiva temple. The rest of the water was poured into a well adjacent to the temple.

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