The Chola kings utilize their wealth earned through their extensive conquest in building exquisite monuments. Chola temples are characteristized by:

• Circular and Square Sanctums.
• Beautified inner side of the external walls.
• Special vimanas on the upper side of the sanctum.
• Dome shaped sikhara and kalasa on the top of Gopurams.
• Intricate sculptures and inscriptions on the walls of these temples.
• Pillared mandapams namely ardha mandapa, maha mandapa and nandi mandapa.

Contribution of Chola in the development of temple architecture.

More elaborative structures:

The temple architecture evolved from the early cave temples and Monolithic temples of Mamallapuram to more elaborate and complex in the Chola period. Example: Brihadeshwara temple.

Stones replaced bricks:

During this period stones were used instead of bricks for making temples. This added aesthetics and value to its temples.

Gopurams become meaningful:

In the chola period simple gopurams evolved into more exquisite and well composed structures with carvings and series of effigies on them.

Elaborate pyramidal Storeys:

Pyramidal storey about the deity room depicts the maturity and grandeur Cholas brought in the temple architecture. Example Shiva temple of Thanjavur depicts the material achievement of the Chola Temple.

Monolith Shikaras:

The Chola temples have evolved beautiful shikharas at the top with elaborate meticulous carving. Example: Octagonal shikhara of Gangaikondacholapuram temple.

Dwarapalas became permanent:

The guardian figures (dwarpalas), at the entrance to the mandapa, or hall which started from the Pallava period, became a unique feature of the Chola temples.

Polished sculptures:

During this period the architectural development reached its zenith. The temples were decorated with artistic stone pillars and wall decoration. Emphasis was on elongated limbs and polished features. Example: Carvings of the wheel chariot in Airavatesvara Temple are so fine that all the minute details are visible.

Thus, Chola temples flourished under the royal patronage of imperial chola kings. The artists patronised by them, through their influences from Amravati at school and various other contemporary schools, elevated the Dravidian architecture styles to greater height.

Due to their grandeur, Chola temples have been recognised for their international importance and therefore get special protection as world heritage by UNESCO.

Additional info

Examples

Vijayalaya Cholisvara Temple, Thanjore

Under Pallavas, some of the finest temples had been created at Mahabalipuram and Kanchipuram. However, the largest and most impressive buildings were created under the Cholas post 850 AD, when Vijayalaya Chola took the control of Tanjore.  The earliest Chola Temple we find at Narthamalai, where Vijayalaya Chola commissioned a temple named “Vijayalaya Cholisvara” temple, dedicated to lord Shiva.

Koranganatha Temple, Srinivasanallur

Koranganatha Temple is located at Srinivasanallur, in Tiruchirapalli District, on the banks of river Cauvery. This temple was built by Parantaka Chola -I . The base of this temple has the sculpted mythical animals  ‘Yazhi’ . Yazhi is a recurring pattern and unique feature of Chola architecture.

Muvarkovil, Pudukkottai

“Muvarkovil” literally means temple of three. It was commissioned by Parantaka Chola -II or one of his feudatories. It has three shrines standing side by side, however, only two are extant now.

Tiruvalisvaram temple, Tiruneveli

Tiruvalisvaram temple is the first example where all features of the Chola temple architecture are seen. It is covered with well compsoed sculptures and friezes. Entire cornice of the temple has been ornated with creepers and foliage.

Brihadeeswarar Temple of Tanjore

Brihadeeswarar Temple or Peruvudaiyar Kovil or Rajrajeshwaram temple at Thanjavur is the world’s first complete “granite” temple. It was built by Rajraja Chola-I and is a part of UNESCO’s world Heritage sites. The Vimana or the temple tower (known as Raja Gopuram)  is 216 Feet in height and is one of the tallest buildings of its kind. The Nandi is carved out of a single rock. This temple has completed 1 millennium in 2010. It was dictated by lord Shiva to Rajraja Chola I, when he triumphed Ilam (Sri Lanka) Island.

Brihadisvara temple, Gangaikondacholapuram

Brihadisvara temple at Gangaikondacholapuram was made by King Rajaraja’s son Rajendra I, who assumed the title “Gangaikonda”.