The temple complex that we see today has been largely repaired and rebuilt in different phases by the Pandyan and Vijayanagara dynasties, British archaeologists, and the ASI. 36-37) The fort like walls/bastions that we see outside the prakara (temple walls) on the western side were build for protection during the colonial wars. Reports of a 1855 publication speaks of dismantling of structures from the outer temple wall by colonial rulers in order to build a barrage, despite protests from the local people (Ramaswamy, 1971, pp.
The colonial armies used the temple premises as a fort, owing to which the structure faced further damages. CE, when English and French led soldiers conquered this region. Further vandalism occurred in the 18th c. The city and the temples (the temple Brihadisvara Gangaikondacholesvara was built based on Tamil Vastu and Agama Sastra texts, hence had many more temples and other structures within the complex) later faced massive destruction in the hands of the marauding Delhi Sultanate armies under Malik Kafur in 1311 and Muhammed Bin Tughluq in 1327, followed by raids by the different Deccan Sultanate armies (Malik, 2008, p. CE, Gangaikondacholapuram went to the Pandyas, later followed by the Vijayanagara empire. After the decline of the Cholas in the second half of the 13th c. Gangaikondacholapuram was the capital city of the Cholas and was their administrative centre until the middle of 13th c. The palace and the city of Gangaikondacholapuram were built between 1023 CE and 1029 CE, while the temple was consecrated in 1035 CE.
GANGAIKONDA CHOLAPURAM KALI AMMAN PICTURES FREE
Amidst the scattered ruins, a mound popularly referred to as Maligaimedu (palace mound), has been a popular site for many centuries for availing free bricks to build village houses. While the city and the mighty emperor’s palace are now in ruins in Ulkottai, the main temple still stands about 1.5 km away from the city remains. The beautiful temple known as Brihadisvara Gangaikondacholesvara in Gangaikondacholapuram stands tall, proudly proclaiming the 11th century victorious march of the Chola army up to the banks of the Ganga, where they defeated king Mahipala of the Pala dynasty. The Lost Glory of the city of Gangaikondacholapuramīrihadesvara Gangaikondacholisvarar temple: the might of the Chola army