The name is formed from a string of four words, working backwards, meaning the city (puram) of the Cholas to which was brought (konda) the Ganga (river). Rajendrawas a mighty Chola ruler and like his predecessor Rajaraja, his overriding concern was to expand the territorial boundaries of his empire. In one expedition he took his army successfully along the east coast of India up to the Ganga. While it is an ancient practice for all pilgrims to return home with a jar of Ganga-jal, it is said that Rajendra Chola brought back with him enough holy water from the Ganga to fill the temple tanks. The temple is similar in many ways to its namesake, the Brihadeshvara in Thanjavur, though it is not as large or as tall. The temple stands at the center of a rectangular courtyard. There are smaller sub-shrine and famous tank with Gangajal on the northeastern side. The temple building consists of a long pillared mandap that leads to sanctum housing the linga. Outside, the temple wall is adorned with sculptures of Shiva.Above the square base rises the tower in nine levels.(not thirteen, as in Tanjuavur).The horizontal diminishing stages of the tower are clearly emphasized with parapet walls of miniature temple roof designs. The scale and proportion of this temple are dramatic.