Airavatesvara Temple
Airavatesvara Temple is a Hindu temple of Tamil architecture located in the town of Darasuram, near Kumbakonam in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu. This temple, built by Rajaraja Chola II in the 12th century CE is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Airavatesvarar temple is one among a cluster of eighteen medieval era large Hindu temples in the Kumbakonam area. The temple is dedicated to Shiva. It also reverentially displays Vaishnavism and Shaktism traditions of Hinduism, along with the legends associated with Nayanmars – the Bhakti movement saints of Shaivism.
History of Airavatesvara Temple
The established capital for his predecessors was Gangapuri, also referred in some inscriptions as Gangaikonda Cholapuram, named after the holy north Indian Ganges River and goddess. It had sapta veedhis (seven streets) and seven courts, similar to the Srirangam temple, according to the inscriptions. He ruled the Chola Empire between 1146 and 1172 CE. The temple at Ayirattali, which came to be known as Airavatesvarar temple in inscriptions is one of his legacy.
The Airavatesvara temple was much larger than it is now. All are gone, except the one court with the main temple that survives. There are ruins of gopuram and some structures at some distance from the current visitor premises confirming that the site was badly damaged at some point like the other major Chola era temples and various Chola cities including the capital Gangaikonda Cholapuram. This urban complex included Darasuram, the site of Airavatesvara Temple. He was a patron of Tamil literature and sponsored new Hindu temples in the empire, instead of enhancements and expansions supported by his father and grandfather. The temple was built by king Rajaraja Chola II. Rajaraja II, however, spent most of his time in the secondary capital city of Ayirattali, also called Palaiyarai and Rajarajapuri.
Architecture of Airavatesvara Temple
The Airavatesvara temple is another square plan structure completed in 1166 CE. The surviving inner courtyard is almost six stacked squares of 35 metres (115 ft) side, measuring a total of about 107 metres (351 ft) by 70 metres (230 ft). The Nandi mandapa and the stambha are found outside of this main temple courtyard and they are aligned with the main temple’s east-west axis.
Glimpse of Airavatesvara Temple
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Location: To view the location please click here
Nearest Airport: Trichy International Airport – 99 km
Nearest Railway station: Kumbakonam – 5 km
Address: Gurunathan Pillai Colony, Darasuram, Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu
Landmark: Adi Kumbeswarar Temple is located near Devanayaki Temple, Amman Koil
Airavatesvara Temple Official Website: Not available
Bus Route
Airavatesvara Temple located in Darasuram, near Kumbakonam city. Frequent bus facility available It is located 5 km from Kumbakonam Bus Terminal.
Temple Opening Hours
Morning Hours: 5:00 AM – 11 AM
Evening Hours: 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM
For more details please dial 0435 241 7157
Airavatesvara Temple Photos
Hotels to stay in Kumbakonam
1. Hotel Green Park
No. 10, Lakshmi Vilas Street,
Kumbakonam, South India – 612001.
Ph :(0435) – 2402853 / 2403914
2. Quality Inn VIHA
New Railway Road, Kumbakonam,
Tanjore, Tamil Nadu 612001
Ph:0435 255 5555
3. Lee Garden
Naal Road Junction, Srinagar Colony, Kumbakonam
Tanjore, Tamil Nadu 612001
Ph:0435 240 2526
4. Rayas Grand
23-25, Holy Mahamaham Tank West Bank,
Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu
Ph:0435 242 3170
Near By Temples: Chakrapani Temple, Sri Valangaiman Mariamman Temple , Adi Kumbeswarar Temple, Swamimalai Murugan Temple
Near by Restaurants: Veg Hotel – Balaji Bhavan, Sree Murari, Sri Mangalambika Vilas, Non-Veg hotel – Aathurar Briyani, Pandyan Hotel, Raya’s Restaurant
Near By Places to Visit: Papanasam, Thirubuvanam, Patteeswaram