Airavatesvara Temple, Darasuram, Tamil Nadu
One of the Greatest living temples of Cholas - unfolding the beauty of miniature sculptures
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Yet Another Chola Masterpiece
Since 1954, the temple has been under the care of the Archaeological Survey of India. It is renowned for its breathtaking sculptures and stunning architectural design, offering a glimpse into the impressive artistic and architectural accomplishments of the Chola dynasty.
Airavatesvaram: General view of the TempleFriends of Heritage Sites, Tamil Nadu
A side view of the temple
The temple features an 80-ft vimana resembling a chariot, with horses. The Rajagopuram showcases the balipida and nandi mandapa. The gopuram reveals a stone-wheeled vimana, with mukha & artha mandapas, anthrala, and garbhagraha. A circumambulatory path surrounds the structure.
Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Steps
Another wonder of the temple are the musical steps that are protected by railings to prevent from vandalism. The flight of seven steps when struck produces the sound of seven musical notes “sa, re, ga, ma, pa, dha, ni and sa.”
Airavatesvaram: General view of the TempleFriends of Heritage Sites, Tamil Nadu
Tale of the white elephant...
It is named after Lord Indra's white elephant - Airavat. Legend says Airavata lost his color due to a curse but regained it by bathing in the temple tank and praying to Lord Siva. Inscriptions of this legend adorn the temple walls, along with other captivating tales.
Inscriptions and more
The temple's inscriptions detail donations, storms, and even the salary of goldsmiths. They describe the reign of Rajaraja II and Kullothunga III, who oversaw renovations. The walls bear witness to a rich tapestry of history and royal patronage.
Ferocious Veerabadra
The temple features a striking sculpture of Veerabadra, showcasing his fierce form with multiple faces and four hands wielding a danda, sulam, and other weapons. This unique piece stands out in the temple's diverse sculpture collection.
Exquisite miniature carvings
The temple showcases pillars with intricate miniature sculptures, including a detailed Dravidian vimana carved within an inch. It also features various carvings of gods, goddesses, humans, and animals, all skillfully crafted in less than an inch of space.
Gorgeous Ganga
The mukha mandapa is home to a stunning sculpture of Goddess Ganga, depicted gracefully holding a lotus in one hand and a kalasa in the other. A particular highlight of this sculpture is its captivating facial features.
Airavatesvaram: Panel depicting birth givingFriends of Heritage Sites, Tamil Nadu
Panel depicting childbirth
This Dravidian temple showcases spectacular architectural features. Its wonders include a stone chariot Vimana, intricate sculptures representing epics, puranas, and everyday life, like childbirth scenes. A true marvel of craftsmanship and detail.
Airavatesvaram: Multi-dimensional sculpture of Elephant and BullFriends of Heritage Sites, Tamil Nadu
Multi-dimensional sculpture of Elephant & Bull
The temple exhibits captivating sculptures, notably an astonishing portrayal of an elephant and bull sharing a head but separate bodies. Each body reflects distinct animal features, while the shared head reveals both, depending on the viewing angle—a mesmerizing artistic marvel.
Remnants of Paintings
Remnants of Nayaka period paintings are visible on the pada, mandapas, and ceilings. These artworks feature bright colors like yellow, blue, and red, which are eye-catching until today.
Akshatha A - Images & Text
Sharmila Devadoss - Images & Text
Sudha R - Editing
Sivakumar S - Tech Support
