What were the activities associated with Chola temples?

Hint: Vijayalaya in the middle of the ninth century captured the delta from the Mutharaiyar, they belonged to the family of the Cholas from Uraiyar. This marked the beginning of the Chola rule. Vijayalaya built an important temple known as Nishumbh Sudini in the town of Thanjavur.

Complete answer: Successors of Vijayapala expanded the kingdom and ruled over a large area. One of the strongest and powerful rulers was Rajaraja I. He and his son who succeeded him built big temples of Thanjavur and Gangaikondacholapuram. Chola temples soon became the centre part of settlements which grew around them. These include centres of craft production. Temples were often offered and provided with lands by rulers as well as others either as a gift or charity. The produce of these lands later went into the maintenance of specialists who worked at the temples or lived there such as cooks, priests, dancers, sweepers, garland makers, musicians etc. The most distinctive craft production includes the making of bronze images. They were considered to be the finest in the world. While most of these were of the deities, some images were made of devotees.

Note: Therefore the temples were not only the place of worship rather they were the hub of various economic, cultural and social activities and rituals.