Discovering Potential Sites

1. Heritage is the legacy which is passed from our great ancestors from
one generation to another generation through different modes like
culture, architecture etc. All the countries of the world consists of
their own culture be it local or national which represent the true flavor
of that particular place and the value of that place in our Mother
Earth.
An international campaign was launched by UNESCO for safeguarding
and restoring such World Heritage Sites so that the heritage is
preserved and protected forever.
The World Heritage Site that is being selected for discovering its
potentialities in my project is the “ The Great Living Chola Temples.”
DISCOVERING POTENTIAL SITES

2. There are certain criteria that is to be complied to become a WHS are prescribed
by UNESCO are as follows:-
The Chola Temple represents a master piece of human creativity.
It exhibits an important interchange of human values and custom and it
represents the culture of whole of South India.
It is an outstanding example of architectural excellence holding a significant place
in history of Chola Dynasty.
The temples contain superlative natural phenomena and is of aesthetic value.
The Chola Temples are directly in relation with the valuable literary, traditional,
belief of the Chola Dynasty and its impact on whole of South India.
"ThE GREAT LIVING ChOLA TEmPLE" – A
WORLD hERITAGE SITE

3. "THE GREAT LIVING CHOLA TEMPLE"
The Chola Temple was built during the Chola Dynasty in South
India. The Chola Temple consisted of many temples that
were built during their dynasty and it include
1. The Brahadeeswarar Temple
2. Temple of Gangaikonda Cholisvaram
3. Airavatesvara Temple at Darasuram.
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src="http://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/02/51/71/c4/brihadisvara-
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The criteria for being a Chola Temple are:-
(i): The three Chola temples of Southern India represent an
outstanding creative achievement in the architectural
conception of the pure form of the dravida type of temple.
(ii): The Brahadishvara Temple at Thanjavur became the first
great example of the Chola temples, followed by a
development of which the other two properties also bear
witness.
(iii): The three Great Chola Temples are an exceptional and the
most outstanding testimony to the development of the
architecture of the Chola Empire and the Tamil Civilization
in Southern India.
(iv): The Great Chola temples are outstanding examples of the
architecture and the representation of the Chola ideology.

4. BRAHADEESWARAR TEMPLE
The Brahadeeswarar temple in Tanjavur is also
known as Periya Kovil Rajarajeshwara
temple and Rajarajeshwaram. It is one of
the largest temple in India and is a master
piece of architectural beauty and is a part of
UNESCO world Heritage Site. It was built by
Emperor Raja Raja Chola I and completed its
1000 years in 2010.
The Temple stands amidst fortified walls that
were added in the 16th century. The temple
tower is of 216 ft and is the tallest . The
Kumbam or the apex or the gopuram
structure on the top of the temple is carved
out of a single rock. There is a big statue
of Nandi (sacred bull), carved out of a single
rock, and it stands in the entrance of the
temple and is about 16 feet long and 13
feet high, it is also believed by the people
there that if any wish is asked in the ear of
the Nandi then it gets fulfilled. It is also
believed that the Nandi grows every year.
The entire temple structure is made out
of granite . The temple is the most visited
tourist attraction in Thanjavur.

5. Airavatesvara Temple is a Hindu temple of Dravidian
architecture located in the town of Darasuram near
Kumbakonam.This temple, built by Rajaraja Chola II. It
was a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and he was
worshipped by white elephant a vahana of Lord Indra.
AIRAVATESVARA AND GANGAIKONDA
CHOLISVARAM TEMPLE
Airavatesvara Temple is a Hindu temple of Dravidian
architecture located in the town of Darasuram near
Kumbakonam.This temple, built by Rajaraja Chola II. It
was a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and he was
worshipped by white elephant a vahana of Lord Indra.

6. The Questionnaire that was prepared for surveying the people are as
follows:-
1.What is a World Heritage Sites?
2.Have you heard of Great Living Chola Temples?
3.What is its importance of it in Indian History?
4.Why it is termed as a WHS by UNESCO?
5.Which are the other sites you want to include in WHS?
The people who were questioned are named below:-
A.Barkha Gupta
B.Debasmita Chatterjee
C.Arunashish Mullick
D.Rimpa Rajpal
E.Apoorv Aloke
QUESTIONNAIRE

7.  Barkha Gupta- A WHS is a site where tourist come and visit for the architectural beauty.
Yes Chola Temple is a World Heritage Site as it has an excellent architecture and it has a
significant role in the development of Chola Dynasty and growthof South India. Two
other sites that can be WHS are Shantiniketan and Dakshineshwar.
 Debasmita Chatterjee – World Heritage Sites that are declared by UNESCO for its
significance in history. The chola Temple is termed as a WHS because it attracts tourist by
its architecture and the creativity of human race, it also has a great culture significance
over South India. Two other sites that can be WHS are Joda Sankho and Victoria
memorial.
 Arunashish Mullick, Rimpa Rajpal, Apoorv Aloke –
A WHS is a site that has a cultural, traditional and heritage value that our ancestors have
passsed on to their next generation. The WHS sites represent the floral and fauna value
of our mother earth and it represents the creativity of the human race. The Chola Kings
striking their excellence in architecture had built the Chola Temples. The Chola dynasty
played an significant role in not only the Indian History but also played a role in builing
the culture and tradition of south indian culture. The commonly voted sites for WHS
were the Victoria Memorial, Shantiniketan, kumari amman temple for which kanya
kumari is known, Tirupati Venkateshwara etc.
The Answers that were received are:-

8. CHART REPRESENTATION
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Barkha Arunashish Deboshmita Apoorv / Rimpa
What is a World Heritage Sites?
Have you heard of Great Living Chola Temple
s?
What is its importance of it in Indian History?