The Chola Trail – The Roads in 2008
Gangaikondacholapuram
The Chola trail gave me something more than simply a dose of history. A feeling of identity also. It is awfully tough to be objective and write about the trail, so I’m not even trying as of now. I’m just putting down some raw info to help understand the might and the glory of this dynasty, which was one of the strongest in South India and they established its supremacy in South East Asia too.
This traditional Tamil dynasty held sway for over 1500 years and its origins are entangled in fables and poetry as the chronology matches the reign of Emperor Ashoka ( 273 BC-232 BC ). Continue reading
Markets and temples
Patteeswaram, Tamil Nadu
Just before you enter any temple in India, you have to pass through a market. In some cases, shopping happens right inside the temple complex. Very often I find the markets more interesting.
Madurai, Tamil Nadu
Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu
Chidambaram , Tamil Nadu. Continue reading
Of kings and empires
Here’s a portrait of a map outlining the empire of the Chola Dynasty that ruled South India and parts of South East East Asia under Rajendra Chola one in the 11th century. This map lies lost in a thatched shed which homes the museum too. And the thatched shed is in a forgotten town called Gangaikondacholapuram, the erstwhile capital that once ruled over this whole empire. Today the city doesn’t exist, excepting an half finished enormous Brihadeshwara church that is like the one in Thanjavur, built by Rajendra’s pa, Raja Raja Chola. Here’s a painting of the king, Rajendra himself – in the same museum.
Tour
