World Heritage Series- The Great Chola Temples

DETAILS : 

• Author : C. Sivaramamurti
  
• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Archaeological Survey Of India 
  
• Publication date :1 January 2007
  
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
  
• Paperback ‏ : ‎ 100 pages
  
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 8187780444
  
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-8187780441
  
• Weight : 250 g

ABOUT THE BOOK 

The Great Chola Temples, part of the World Heritage Series published by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), is an authoritative guide to the pinnacle of South Indian temple architecture. Written by the legendary art historian C. Sivaramamurti, this book provides a deep dive into the "Great Living Chola Temples"—a UNESCO World Heritage site comprising three magnificent 11th and 12th-century structures:

The Brihadisvara Temple at Thanjavur (built by Rajaraja I).

The Brihadisvara Temple at Gangaikondacholapuram (built by Rajendra I).

The Airavatesvara Temple at Darasuram (built by Rajaraja II).

Sivaramamurti combines archaeological precision with a poet’s appreciation for aesthetics, explaining how these temples represent the transition of Chola art from the early stone structures to the massive, ornate granite marvels that define the Tamil landscape.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

C. Sivaramamurti (1912–1983) was one of India’s most distinguished epigraphists, Sanskritists, and art historians. He served as the Director of the National Museum in New Delhi. His unique strength lay in his ability to interpret Indian art through the lens of classical Sanskrit literature, allowing him to explain the symbolism behind every sculpture and frieze with unparalleled depth.