UNESCO World Heritage Darasuram Airavateswara temple
Airavatesvara Temple
DARASURAM AIRAVATESVARA TEMPLE
“Great Living Chola Temples“
Airavatesvara Temple is a UNESCO World Heritage site located in Darasuram town, in Kumbakonam and around six kilometers from kumbakonam inn stay. It is an ancient temple built by the famous Chola king Raja Raja Chola II in the 12th century. This beautiful temple is a stone temple with many carvings and inscriptions. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva.
Lord Shiva is worshipped as Airavatesvar. Airavat means white elephant of King Devendra. It is believed that Yama, King of Death, prayed Lord Shiva here and took bath in the sacred tank here and subsequently got rid of his sickness. Since then the tank has been known as Yamateertham.
According to another legend, The Airavatesvara Temple in Darasuram is believed to have named after Airavat, Lord Indra’s white elephant. Legend has it that the Airavat, Lord Indra’s white elephant was cursed by the short-tempered Sage Durvasa for disrespecting Him which caused the spotless white elephant lost his colour. The Airavat was so upset that he prayed to Lord Shiva at this present temple location to regain his white colour. Lord Shiva who heard his prayer asked the elephant to take a dip in the temple tank and surprisingly he regained his white colour and was freed from his curse. It is believed that this legend led to the naming of this temple as Airavatesvara Temple. You can find this fascinating legend carved in stones in the inner chambers of the temple. The Airavatesvara Temple still holds the water tank and pilgrims believe that taking a holy dip in its waters will cleanse them of their sins.
This ancient temple is a storehouse of art and architecture. The main tower is 80 feet in height. There is a big mantapam which is in the form of a chariot with large stone wheels and drawn by horses. There are galloping horses with wheels carved behind them also carved on the walls, making the temple look like a chariot. Like all the Chola temples, this temple too has a Shiva figure coming out of the Linga at the rear wall of the temple. The Nandi mandapa and the stambha are found outside of this main temple courtyard. Devi shrine is also outside the main temple.
Another interesting feature that takes you in wonder at the Airavatesvara Temple is its ‘Musical Steps’ or the ‘Singing Steps’. The small ornately carved flight of seven steps leading to the ‘Balipeetham’, the sacrificial altar of the Airavatesvara Temple is called the ‘Musical Steps’ or the ‘Singing Steps’. The seven steps of this staircase represent the seven musical notes. And the main significance of the ‘Musical Steps’ is that when one walks or even taps them, they produce all the seven melodious ‘swaras’ or notes of music.
| TEMPLE DETAILS | KM FROM INN STAY | TEMPLE TIMINGS | TEMPLE SPECIALITY |
|---|---|---|---|
AIRAVATESVARA TEMPLE Dedicated to Lord Shiva and Vedha Nayaki Amman | Around 5 Kms | MORNING – 6:30 am – 12:00 pm EVENING – 4:30 pm – 8:00 pm | The temple is a recognised UNESCO World Heritage monument.Airavatesvara Temple, along with the famous Brihadeeswara Temple at Thanjavur and the Gangaikondacholeeswaram Temple at Gangaikonda Cholapuram is a part of the notable trio called the “Great Living Chola Temples”. Those who perform the prayer here will be freed from the curse and prosper from all evils. |