The Great Living Chola Temples of Tamil Nadu

The designated site includes the Brihadisvara Temple at Thanjavur, which was built during the reign of Rajaraja I. This temple stands as the first great example of the Chola architectural style in the region.

The collection also features the Brihadisvara Temple at Gangaikonda Cholapuram, commissioned by Rajendra Chola I, and the Airavatesvara Temple at Darasuram, built by Rajaraja II. Together, these three structures illustrate the progression of Chola temple design.

These temples are recognized by UNESCO for representing an outstanding creative achievement in the architectural conception of the pure Dravidian temple form. The design focuses on traditional elements that defined the Southern Indian style during this era.

The Brihadisvara Temple at Thanjavur served as a primary model for subsequent Chola temples. The other two properties in the group bear witness to the architectural development that followed the completion of the Thanjavur complex.

The recognition of these monuments occurred in two distinct stages. The Temple Complex at Thanjavur was the initial entry, added to the World Heritage list in 1987.

In 2004, the Temple Complex at Gangaikonda Cholapuram and the Airavatesvara Temple Complex were added as extensions. This unified the three locations under the single designation of the Great Living Chola Temples.