---
title: "Gangaikonda Cholapuram Temple: Chola Capital"
description: "Gangaikonda Cholapuram Temple is Rajendra Chola I's 11th-century Shiva temple and capital, a UNESCO Great Living Chola site frequently tested in UPSC GS1."
url: "https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/glossary/gangaikonda-cholapuram-temple"
---

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Model Diplomat Research Team · Last reviewed June 22, 2026

TL;DR

- Gangaikonda Cholapuram Temple is the early-11th-century Shiva temple built by Rajendra Chola I as the centerpiece of his imperial capital in present-day Tamil Nadu.
- Who built the Gangaikonda Cholapuram Temple and why?
- How does it differ from the Brihadisvara Temple at Thanjavur?
- What is the UNESCO status of the temple?
- Why is the temple significant for UPSC GS1 preparation?

[Civil Service & Diplomatic Exams](https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/civil-services/glossary)Updated June 22, 2026

Gangaikonda Cholapuram Temple is the early-11th-century Shiva temple built by Rajendra Chola I as the centerpiece of his imperial capital in present-day Tamil Nadu.

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In 2004, UNESCO extended its Great Living Chola Temples World Heritage listing to include the Gangaikonda Cholapuram Temple alongside Thanjavur's Brihadisvara and Darasuram's Airavatesvara temples.

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