The correct option is Brihadeswara at Thanjavur.
Explanation
The Chola dynasty (9th-13th century CE) made significant contributions to Dravidian art, including architecture, sculpture, and painting. Chola paintings are generally found as murals on the walls of temple sanctums, continuing the traditions of earlier dynasties like the Pallavas and Pandyas.Detailed Analysis:
- Brihadeswara Temple (Thanjavur): Built by Raja Raja Chola I in the early 11th century, this temple houses the most significant surviving examples of Chola mural paintings. These frescoes are located in the narrow, dark circumambulatory passage (Pradakshinapatha) surrounding the main sanctum. The paintings depict various themes, including Shiva as Tripurantaka, the story of Sundarar (a Nayanar saint), and Raja Raja Chola I with his guru Karuvurar. Notably, these Chola frescoes were covered by a later layer of Nayaka period paintings (17th century) and were rediscovered in the 1930s.
- Shore Temple (Mamallapuram): This is a structural temple built by the Pallava king Narasimhavarman II (Rajasimha) in the 8th century. It predates the Chola imperial period and is renowned for its monolithic sculptures and granite architecture rather than Chola murals.
- Meenakshi Temple (Madurai): This temple is the pinnacle of Nayaka architecture (16th-17th century). While it features extensive ceiling paintings, they belong to the Nayaka school of art, which is stylistically distinct from the Chola tradition.
- Airavatesvara Temple (Darasuram): Built by Raja Raja Chola II, this temple is famous for its intricate stone carvings and miniature sculptures. While it is one of the "Great Living Chola Temples," the primary repository of surviving Chola paintings is the Brihadeswara Temple at Thanjavur.
Key Takeaway:
The most extensive and well-preserved Chola frescoes are found in the circumambulatory passage of the Brihadeswara Temple at Thanjavur, often depicting Shaivite themes such as Shiva as Tripurantaka.