SREE AIRAVATHESWARAR TEMPLE, Darasuram
Sree AIRAVATHESWARAR temple is in Darasuram, which is 5kms from Kumbakonam and is in Kumbakonam-Thanjavur route. Transportation by means of bus can be had upto Darasuram Bus Stand and further half a km by walk which will lead to Sree Periyanayaki Amman shrine, which is a separate temple by the side of the Lord Sree Airavatheswarar temple. Deva Nayaki Amman sannidhi is in Airavatheswarar temple. With own vehicle arrangements can reach the temple upto entrance. The temple has an excellent garden around which is used by the people of Darasuram for the morning walk.
SREE AIRAVATHESWARAR
Sree Periyanayaki Amman
This temple is a UNESCO heritage site declared in the year 2004 and is full of sculptures so to say it is an "Sculptors Dream". This was built by King Raja Rajan II (1146-1172 A.D.) and is on the lines of Periya Koil at Thanjavur. The Chola dynasty had built large stone built temples during their rule at Thanjavur-Periya Koil, Darasuram- Airavatheswarar temple, Gangaikonda Chozhapuram-Brahadheeswarar temple. All these temples are marvels of temple architecture and larger in size and also famous for the intricate sculptures of Bharatha Natyam poses, accompanying musicians, Periya puranam stories and other great epics of Ramayana and Mahabhratham etc., on Pillars and prakara walls. This temple also has the features of Herbal paintings.The white elephant Airavatham of Indra, incurred the curse of Sage Durvasa and thus became black. To overcome the curse, Airavatham prayed here to the Lord and thus came out of the curse. Thus the Lord came to be known as Airvatheswarar. The sanctum is in a mandapam known as "Raja Gambiram" at a raised level with wheels as of a Chariot (Ratham) and looks as if elephant/horses draw it. In this mandapam itself is the sannidhi of Goddess Deva Nayaki. Lord Airvatheswarar's consort Sree Periyanayaki has a separate temple itself on the northern side.
The temple has raised and lower levels and one has to climb up and down several times to see the entire temple. The massiveness of the temple can be seen by the temple meant for Chandikeswarar. The main deity's gopuram is a 5 tiered one and is around 85 ft high. Sree Dakshinamurthy
On the outer walls of this mandapam is Dakshinamurthy. Around the outer prakara can be seen lot of sculptures or smaller sannidhis meant for other deities totally destroyed in wars. The actual era in which the destruction took place is not clear.
Even as you enter the temple, the Nandhi and Bali Peetam outside the temple is at a lower level and the steps foming to approach the Nandhi is of muscial steps similar to musical pillars in some of the temples. Presently they do not make the sounds expected and is in closed enclosure.Some of the photographs taken by me are shown below.
It is said that Yama Dharmaraja had burning sensation all over his body due to a curse and he took bath in the temple tank and thus this is known as Yama Theertham. There was an Asuran by name Dharan who prayed here and got powers to defeat the Devas, thus the place came to be known as Darasuram. The temple has to be in the intinerary of those who plan to visit Kumbakonam for having darshan of Airvatheswarar and also the massive structures built during the Chola Dynasty which are marvels in construction and architecture. The sculptors would have spent years to bring it to shape with fine arts in every corner of the temple.
Temple timings:
6.30 AM to 12 PM
5.00 PM to 08.00 PM
Sree AIRAVATHESWARAR temple is in Darasuram, which is 5kms from Kumbakonam and is in Kumbakonam-Thanjavur route. Transportation by means of bus can be had upto Darasuram Bus Stand and further half a km by walk which will lead to Sree Periyanayaki Amman shrine, which is a separate temple by the side of the Lord Sree Airavatheswarar temple. Deva Nayaki Amman sannidhi is in Airavatheswarar temple. With own vehicle arrangements can reach the temple upto entrance. The temple has an excellent garden around which is used by the people of Darasuram for the morning walk.
SREE AIRAVATHESWARAR
This temple is a UNESCO heritage site declared in the year 2004 and is full of sculptures so to say it is an "Sculptors Dream". This was built by King Raja Rajan II (1146-1172 A.D.) and is on the lines of Periya Koil at Thanjavur. The Chola dynasty had built large stone built temples during their rule at Thanjavur-Periya Koil, Darasuram- Airavatheswarar temple, Gangaikonda Chozhapuram-Brahadheeswarar temple. All these temples are marvels of temple architecture and larger in size and also famous for the intricate sculptures of Bharatha Natyam poses, accompanying musicians, Periya puranam stories and other great epics of Ramayana and Mahabhratham etc., on Pillars and prakara walls. This temple also has the features of Herbal paintings.The white elephant Airavatham of Indra, incurred the curse of Sage Durvasa and thus became black. To overcome the curse, Airavatham prayed here to the Lord and thus came out of the curse. Thus the Lord came to be known as Airvatheswarar. The sanctum is in a mandapam known as "Raja Gambiram" at a raised level with wheels as of a Chariot (Ratham) and looks as if elephant/horses draw it. In this mandapam itself is the sannidhi of Goddess Deva Nayaki. Lord Airvatheswarar's consort Sree Periyanayaki has a separate temple itself on the northern side.
The temple has raised and lower levels and one has to climb up and down several times to see the entire temple. The massiveness of the temple can be seen by the temple meant for Chandikeswarar. The main deity's gopuram is a 5 tiered one and is around 85 ft high. Sree Dakshinamurthy
On the outer walls of this mandapam is Dakshinamurthy. Around the outer prakara can be seen lot of sculptures or smaller sannidhis meant for other deities totally destroyed in wars. The actual era in which the destruction took place is not clear.
It is said that Yama Dharmaraja had burning sensation all over his body due to a curse and he took bath in the temple tank and thus this is known as Yama Theertham. There was an Asuran by name Dharan who prayed here and got powers to defeat the Devas, thus the place came to be known as Darasuram. The temple has to be in the intinerary of those who plan to visit Kumbakonam for having darshan of Airvatheswarar and also the massive structures built during the Chola Dynasty which are marvels in construction and architecture. The sculptors would have spent years to bring it to shape with fine arts in every corner of the temple.
Temple timings:
6.30 AM to 12 PM
5.00 PM to 08.00 PM
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