Gangaikonda Cholapuram was founded by Chola emperor Rajendra I to commemorate his victory over the Pala Dynasty. The city’s name translates to “the city of the Chola who brought the Ganges,” marking the occasion when the Cholas obtained Ganga water after their victory. It became the capital of the Chola Empire, replacing Thanjavur, and served for 250 years. The city once featured magnificent architecture, including temples built according to Tamil Vastu and Agama sastra principles. Today, Gangaikonda Cholapuram is a small village, with its historical significance remembered mainly by the existence of the grand Mahashiva Temple.
Excavations suggest that the city had two layers of fortifications, likely for strategic defense. The outer fortification, constructed with large, well-burnt clay bricks, was six to eight feet wide and filled with sand. These ruins, along with brick walls and remnants of broken pillars, are spread over several kilometers, offering a glimpse into the city’s former glory. The Tamil Nadu State Archaeological Department has launched excavations in nearby Ayudhkalam village, believed to have been a center for weapon manufacturing during the Chola period, adding more insights into the city’s historical landscape.
The Brihadishvara Temple, completed in 1035 CE, is the most significant surviving structure from Gangaikonda Cholapuram. After his extensive military campaigns, Rajendra I demanded Ganges water from the defeated kingdoms to be poured into the temple’s well, symbolizing his conquest. He adopted the title "Gangaikonda Cholan" and established this temple to rival the one built by his father in Thanjavur. Though other temples and structures were destroyed over time, this temple survived, possibly due to its religious importance, and remains a key representation of the Chola architectural legacy.
The reasons for the city’s destruction are debated. Some attribute it to the Pandya invasions in the 13th century, while others suggest that Malik Kafur’s raids from the Delhi Sultanate in the early 14th century may have contributed to its downfall. Despite the city's demise, inscriptions indicate that the temple continued receiving grants and gifts from later Chola, Pandya, and Vijayanagar rulers. The site was reconsecrated in 2017, with new installations and ceremonies restoring its religious significance. Today, Gangaikonda Cholapuram is a UNESCO World Heritage site, preserving a crucial piece of Tamil Nadu’s cultural and architectural history.