Gangai Konda Cholapuram - In the long list of my travel wish, probably Gangai Konda Cholapuram was the one which has been around for a long time. So far I didnt made a honest effort to shrinken my wish list, hence went on with this trip to visit all these three great chola temples.
When I had the first sight of this temple, there was hardly any tourists. For almost an hour ... I was only one there to admire it; like through the eyes of Great Rajendran ... It was like a lone date with this grandeur and I was simply lost in a world where these stone statues took breath and enacted its glorious past days ...
It's like yet another miniaturaized version of big temple, but it stands against time for pride, pride of victory beyond ganges. In its adoselnce, this place was the nerve center of power and culture for an great empire; but now its hardly in the grade of small village. Its past glory can be remembered only by the existence of this great Temple.
Raja Rajendran had fought great war till ganges and built this exquisite masterpiece; but now this temple is on its own war against time and irresponsible human elements. Thanks to UNESCO for declaring this great temple as world heritage center, atleast now some effort has been made to rejuvenate.
I think this time eroded, de-shaped front Gopuram make the main one more appealing to look ...
With the Vimana in background, a huge ox will welcome you inside the temple complex
Mighty Thuwaarabalakars - Temple Guardians God/Godess ... again even though not being an Athesist, still left part of my brain pops out a question; why a need for guard in God's home ? :-)
A fine example of sculptures ....
A fine example of sculptures ....
Bunch of displaced statues on display :-) just felt sorry for the craftsman who took pain in shaping these stone ... atleast let preserve ones that are left now.
A stone inscriptions keeping its words for the furture ...
Last few shots before I say a big good bye ...
Last few shots before I say a big good bye ...
At last a perfect - Gangai Konda Choleshvaram Postcard
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