Darasuram

(in continuation of East Coast Diaries)

The village of Darasuram lies around a km from Kumbakonam, just off the highway towards Thanjavur. This little village holds a masterpiece of its sorts of Chola Architecture, the magnificent Airavateswara Temple. ASI has put in lot of efforts to maintain this heritage and cultural site and in restoring its lost grandeur.

The magnificent Airavateswara Temple

The main highlights of this temple: is the lofty vimanam, the hall of the main sanctum is designed as a chariot supported by wheels, horses and the elephants. The detailing in the sculptures on the pillars, inside the hall of the sanctum is superb. It has carvings of the puranas as well as lives of the people way back in the 12 century. This temple was built in the 12 century by King Raja Raja 2 of the Chola dynasty.

Intricate carvings in Airavateswara Temple

The entrance to the main hall of the sanctum looks like a chariot