---
title: "Great Living Chola Temples: UNESCO Site | Model Diplomat"
description: "The Great Living Chola Temples are UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Tamil Nadu, showcasing 11th–12th century Dravidian architecture and active worship."
url: "https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/glossary/great-living-chola-temples"
---

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Model Diplomat Research Team · Last reviewed June 22, 2026

TL;DR

- The Great Living Chola Temples are three 11th–12th century Dravidian temples in Tamil Nadu inscribed by UNESCO as a single World Heritage Site in 1987 and extended in 2004.
- Which three temples make up the Great Living Chola Temples?
- When were the Great Living Chola Temples inscribed by UNESCO?
- Why are they called 'Living' temples?
- How do the Chola temples differ from Mahabalipuram?

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

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In 2010, the Tamil Nadu government and the Archaeological Survey of India jointly commemorated the millennium of the Brihadisvara Temple at Thanjavur, marking 1,000 years since its consecration by Rajaraja Chola I in 1010 CE.

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