CTET 2 Social and Science Jan 2021 Paper

Chola temples often became the nuclei of settlements which grew around them. These were centers of craft production. They were not only the places of worship; they were the places of social, economic and cultural life of people.
Amount the craft associated with temples, the making of bronze images was the most distinctive. The Chola period is also remarkable for its sculptures and bronzes. Nataraja is the most popular image in Chola bronze images. This is the dancing Shiva, the presiding deity of the Chola dynasty. Other sculptures are associated with chala such as Vishnu, Lakshmi, Ganesh and also devotees.