We had an opportunity to visit this temple in January 2017 . It was a month before the Kudamuluku (kumbhabhishegam) a ritual done after renovating a temple .
After reading Ponniyin selvan a book written by author Kalki who is famous in historical stories with fictional characters added to make it more interesting to read .Ponniyin selvan tells the story of “Arulmozhi” Varman later known as “Rajaraja Cholan”.
Before reading this book I got a chance to see Brihadeeswarar temple . Waiting for next chance to visit that temple again .
This temple is in Jayamkondan in Ariyalur district.
This temple was built by King Rajendra Cholan , son of King Rajaraja Cholan who built Brihadeeshwarar temple ( Thanjai Periya Koil ) .
Rajendra cholan was named as Gangai Kondan after his victory of Ganges . He shifted his capital to 70kms of Thanjavur and named it as Gangai konda Cholapuram .
This temple dedicated to Lord Shiva is magnificent and has lingam of 13 feet with a huge Nandi in front .
There are seperate shrines for Periyanayaki Amman Durgai chandikeswarar and Bhairavar .
Awestruck by the carvings and enormous temple we spend almost more than an hour being it a cloudy breezy day .
The temple well with a lion face is another architectural marvel and known as simhakeni .
Ranjus travel blog 