A Symbol of Early Chola Excellence the Sayavaneswarar Temple

Abstract

The Chola Empire ruled South India from approximately 850 to 1250 CE. During this time, Chola art and architecture underwent constant development and refinement. In a nearly entirely Hindu cultural environment, they used the money amassed during their enormous conquests to construct enduring stone temples and magnificent bronze statues. The Pallava dynasty, which was influenced by the Amaravati School of architecture, was the way the Cholas traditionally erected their temples. The Chola artists and craftspeople further drew inspiration from other modern architectural and aesthetic movements, raising the Chola temple architecture to new heights. The Sayavaneswarar Temple, also known as Sayangadu in Mayiladuthurai district of Tamil Nadu, is a symbol of early Chola architecture. It is a temple built by the Chola kings named Sayavaneswarar and is more than 1,500 years old. This temple is a very important evidence of early Chola architecture.