The Great Living Chola Temples are three granite temples dedicated to Shiva, that show the progressive development of Chola architecture and art. They illustrate the Chola civilization between the 10th and 13th centuries, which succeeded the Pallavan dynasty (that was responsible for Mahabalipuram) in South India.The three included temples are:- Brihadisvara Temple in Thanjavur: the earliest and most representative monument. Built 1003-1010, during the reign of king Rajaraja, the founder of th