Jayankondam, Ariyalur district, Tamil Nadu, India: Gangaikonda Cholapuram Midhun Gangaikonda Cholapuram is a village located near to Jayankondam, Ariyalur district, Tamil Nadu, India. Gangaikonda Cholapuram was the capital built by Rajendra Chola to mark his victory over his northern neighbors. His generals brought water from the Ganges (to symbolize the territories subdued) and mixed it in a lake at Gangaikonda Cholapuram and thus the name Gangaikonda which literally means the bringer of the Ganges. Gangaikonda Cholapuram was the capital built by Rajendra Chola to mark his victory over his northern neighbors. His generals brought water from the Ganges (to symbolize the territories subdued) and mixed it in a lake at Gangaikonda Cholapuram and thus the name Gangaikonda which literally means the bringer of the Ganges. Such titles, the establishment of the capital and the magnificent temple were to publicize the Samantachakra of the Cholas and consequently their status and grandeur. The only remaining building that indicates the magnificence of the Cholas at this time is the temple then known as Gangaikonda Cholisvaram and now synonymous with the capital and so called Gangaikonda Cholapuram by most people. Similar in design to Rajarajeshwara/Brihadeshwara temple at Tanjore this temple too has a main shrine dedicated to Shiva and subsidiary shrines in a huge enclosed courtyard. A TO Z INDIA ● MAY 2023 ● PAGE 36