There are few more airavateswarar (indra's elephant name) temples in south. Darasuram, my ancestral place, is a beauty of architecture where skills of labor can be seen; like musical steps and miraj images like elephant and cow in one stone-like-which may be seen in many temples of south and Nellai. The you tube video will show the beauty as well as at 5 30 period you may see the musical steps https://youtu.be/L7QvLWskUs0 K R IRS 23825
On Sat, 23 Aug 2025 at 10:00, 'gopala krishnan' via Thatha_Patty < [email protected]> wrote: > AIRAVATHESWARAR TEMPLE, DHARASURAM, THANAJVUR DISTRICT- > TAMILNADU-COMPILED > > Dear friends, > > During their dominant reign over South India, the Chola kings built the > Great Living Chola Temples - majestic places of worship spread across South > India and a few neighbouring islands. These temples are treasure houses, > storing troves of historical, religious and cultural history, besides their > monetary treasures. > > > > *The Airavatesvara Temple is one such temple, a magnificent monument with > ten centuries of history* encapsulated between its walls and the temple > complex. Built in the 12th century CE by the famous Chola king Rajaraja > Chola II, it stands as a testament to the Chola dynasty's rich cultural > heritage. With its stunning architecture, intricate sculptures, vivid > paintings, and exquisite bronze casting, it is a true marvel. > > > > The Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is named after 'Airavat,' the > majestic white elephant of Lord Indra which got relief from curse by sage > Durvasa by worshipping in this temple. One of its most striking features is > the singing steps inside the sanctuary that produce a musical note as you > walk on them. > > The temple is a UNESCO world heritage site. The temple is Administered > by Thanjavur Palace. Today my posting is about this temple. > > Hope a divine and informative reading. > > Gopalakrishnan 23-08-2025 > > Introduction > > The Cholas built hundreds of Hindu temples across their empire, and among > them, four were vast complexes with all-stone vimanas. *The Airavatesvara > temple is one of these four, classified as Karakkoil,* a temple designed > like chariots taken in procession during festivals. *Signature Chola > architecture immortalised here.* > > The temple is located in Darasuram, a suburb of Kumbakonam, Thanjavur > District in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu. The artwork adorning the > temple is detailed, intricate, and breathtakingly beautiful—*true poetry > in stone.* Built in the Dravidian architectural style, the main stonework > resembles a chariot. The entire complex is rich with carvings and > inscriptions that tell stories from ancient Indian Puranas. Words can't > capture the charm and splendour of this structure; it's something to be > seen and experienced. > > One of the most awe-inspiring features of the temple is the *musical > steps*. These seven singing steps, leading to the altar, are intricately > carved to represent seven musical notes. What a fascinating piece of art > that dates back thousands of years. > > My note- To avoid damage by visitors, now these steps are enclosed in a > grill work and alternate steps are provided. > > > > Legends about the temple > > According to one legend, Yama, the God of Death, was cursed by a sage, > causing a constant burning sensation all over his body. The Airavatesvara > Temple is believed to be where Yama prayed to Lord Shiva and freed himself > from the curse by taking a dip in the sacred temple tank. This holy tank is > now known as *'Yamatheertham'.* > > According to legend, the Airavatesvara temple was named after the white > elephant who prayed in this temple, Airavat, who belonged to the king of > heaven, Indra. One myth says that Airavat was cursed by the rishi Durvasa > during the Samudra Manthan (churning of the ocean by the gods and demons > together) such that its white skin became black. Then while praying and > washing in this temple’s tank, the myth says that *Airavat regained his > lost white colour* > > History > > This temple, built by Chola emperor Rajaraja II in the 12th century CE > .The Airavatesvarar temple is one among a cluster of eighteen medieval era > large Hindu temples in the Kumbakonam area, Thanjavur District. > > The established capital for his predecessors was Gangapuri, also referred > to in some inscriptions as Gangaikonda Cholapuram, named after the king > brought water from holy Ganges River by defeating every other kings who > opposed him. Rajaraja II, however, spent most of his time in the secondary > capital city of Ayirattali, also called Pazhaiyarai and Rajarajapuri. This > urban complex included Darasuram, the site of Airavatesvara Temple in > Kumbakonam. 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 at Ayirattali, which > came to be known as the Airavatesvarar temple in inscriptions is one of his > legacies > > The Airavatesvara temple was much larger than it is now. It had sapta > veedhis (seven streets) and seven courts, similar to the Srirangam temple, > according to the inscriptions. All are gone, except the one court with the > main temple that survives. > > The reasons for this destruction are unclear. According to Vasanthi, the > Pandyas who defeated the Cholas during the later part of 13th century "may > have raged the city [Gangaikonda Cholapuram] to ground" to avenge their > previous defeats. > > However, it is unclear why other temples were destroyed and this temple > was spared, as well as why there are around 20 inscriptions from later > Cholas, Pandyas and Vijayanagar Empire indicating various gifts and grants > to this temple. The city was attacked by Muslim commander Malik Kafur in > 1311, followed by Khusrau Khan in 1314 and Muhammad bin Tughlaq in 1327. > The period that followed saw wars between the Hindu kings and the Muslim > Sultans who seceded the Delhi Sultanate and carved out new polity such as > the nearby Madurai Sultanate (1335–1378). > > Thanjavur was a target of both Muslim and Hindu neighboring kingdoms, both > near and far. The Madurai Sultanate was established in the 14th century, > after the disastrous invasions and plunder of South India by Ala ud-Din > Khalji's armies of Delhi Sultanate led by Malik Kafur. George Michell > (2008), Architecture and art of Southern India, Cambridge University Press, > pages 9–13, 16-21 Later Adil Shahi Sultanate, Qutb Shahis, Randaula Khan > and others from east and west coasts of South India raided it, and some > occupied it for a few years. The Vijayanagara Empire defeated the Madurai > Sultanate in 1378 and this temple along with other Chola era temples > thereafter came under Hindu kings again who repaired and restored many of > them > > > > Nomenclature > > *The Airavatesvara Shiva temple has a water tank that has a connected > channel that brings in water from the Cauvery River.* Hindus gather > annually to take a dip in the tank. The local mythology narrates how > Airavata, or Indra's white elephant was restored to clean, white skin after > he took a dip in this tank. This legend is carved in stone in the inner > shrine, and this Indra's elephant gives this temple its name. > > > > Architecture > > The Airavatesvara temple is another square plan structure completed in > 1166 CE. The surviving temple is enclosed by a compound wall that is > approximately 107 metres by 70 metres with a nandi madapa and > dhvajastambha found outside of the wall. > > The main temple itself sits on a plinth that is 23 meters by 63 meters, > and consists of the garbhagriha (inner sanctum), and three mandapas - > ardhamandapa, mukhamandapa and agramandapa. > > > > The garbhagriha or inner sanctum is a 12-metre-sided square, with thick > walls on which the vimana (pyramidal tower) rises to a height of 24 m .There > is no circumambulatory path provided immediately around the inner sanctum; > rather, it is outside in the courtyard. > > The garbhagriha is connected to the mukhamandapa through the > ardhamandapa supported on pillars and flanked by two massive dvarapalas. > > The maha-mandapa is a rectangle of about 24 metres by 18 metres, with six > rows of right pillars (forty-eight in total. Towards the east of the maha > mandapa is the agra mandapa also called the Rajagambhiran-tiru-mandapam > after the king. The agra mandapa hall is shaped like a chariot, with stone > carvings of wheels and horses. > > Chief Deity > > 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. > > Shiva's consort has a dedicated shrine called the Periya Nayaki Amman > temple. This is a detached temple situated to the north of the > Airavateshvarar temple. > > > > Other deities > > The stone temple incorporates a chariot structure, and includes major > Vedic and Puranic deities such as Indra, Agni, Varuna, Vayu, Brahma, > Surya, Vishnu, Saptamatrikas, Durga, Saraswati, Sri devi (Lakshmi), Ganga, > Yamuna, Subrahmanya, Ganesha, Kama, Rati and others. > > At present, parts of the temple such as the gopuram is in ruins, and the > main temple and associated shrines stand alone. > > It has two sun dials namely morning and evening sun dials which can be > seen as wheels of the chariot. The temple continues to attract large > gatherings of Hindu pilgrims every year during Magha, while some of the > images such as those of Durga and Shiva are part of special pujas. > > > > Temple Timings > > Opening time - 08:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 04:00 PM to 08:00 PM > > Poojas > > Daily poojas, including Kala Santhi Pooja (morning), Uchikala Pooja > (noon), and Sayaraksha Pooja (evening). Special poojas are also held during > Shivarathri and Pradosham festivals. > > Daily Pujas: > > Kala Santhi Pooja: A morning ritual dedicated to Lord Shiva. > > Uchikala Pooja: A midday offering. > > Sayaraksha Pooja: An evening ceremony. > > Special Poojas: > > Shivarathri: A significant night festival dedicated to Lord Shiva, during > which special poojas are performed. > > Pradosham:The period during the twilight hours, especially two times a > month, when special poojas are conducted for Lord Shiva. > > Festivals > > The main festivals celebrated at the Airavatesvara Temple in Darasuram > near Kumbakonam are: > > Mahashivaratri: A major festival dedicated to Lord Shiva, usually held in > February or March. > > Brahmotsavam: A nine-day annual festival honoring Lord Shiva and Goddess > Parvati, which features cultural events and processions. It is celebrated > in the Tamil month of Chithirai (April–May). > > Arudra Darshan (Margazhi Tiruvadhirai): Dedicated to Lord Shiva, this > festival in December or January features an abhishekam, or holy bathing > ceremony, for the deity. > > Natyanjali Dance Festival: A festival dedicated to Lord Nataraja, the > temple hosts classical dancers from across India who perform here to offer > prayers. > > Adi Pooram: This festival, held in the Tamil month of Adi (July–August), > honors Goddess Parvati. > > Navaratri: The nine-day festival in September or October is dedicated to > Goddess Durga and her various forms. > > Karthikai Mondays: Special observances and worship take place on Mondays > during the Tamil month of Karthikai (November–December). > > Singing steps > > The agra mandapa has an attached square porch of 7 metres side. It has > ornately carved steps that go from east to west. On its east, outside the > main podium, is the bali-pitham. It is unusual, in that it is produced as > intricately carved balustraded steps, that produce a musical note. They are > therefore called the "singing steps". > > Sculpture > > This temple is a storehouse of art and architecture and has some exquisite > stone carvings. Although this temple is much smaller than the > Brihadeesvara Temple or the Gangaikondacholapuram Temple, it is more > exquisite in detail. The elevation and proportions of all the units is > elegant with sculptures dominating the architecture. *The pedestal of the > Balipitha adjoins a small shrine which contains an image of Ganesha.* > > > > The reliefs all along the base of the main temple narrate the stories of > the sixty three Shaiva Bhakti saints called Nayanars > > Other shrines > > In the south-west corner of the court is a mandapam having 4 shrines. One > of these has an image of Yama. Adjoining this shrine are large stone > slabs sculptured with images of the sapthamathas (seven celestial nymphs). > > The construction of a separate temple for Devi, slightly later than the > main temple, indicates the emergence of the Amman shrine as an essential > component of the South Indian temple complex. > > Inscriptions > > There are various inscriptions in the temple. One of these records the > renovation of the shrines by Kulottunga Chola III. *There are sculptures > for river goddesses like Cauvery, Ganges, Yamuna, Godavari and Narmada*. > Another inscription close to the gopura, records that an image was brought > from Kalyani, then known as Kalyanapura by emperor Rajadhiraja Chola I > after his defeat of the Western Chalukya king Someshwara I, his sons > Vikramaditya VI and Someshwara II his capture of the Chalukyan capital > > The inscriptions are also important in identifying the sculptures that > once were a part of various ruined monuments. The inscriptions indicate > that it had the following sculptures: > > Northern face: Adi Chandesvara, Gangadevi, Tumburu Nardar, Vaisravana, > Chandra, Maha Sata, Nagaraja, Vayu > > West: Devi, Rudrani, Vaishnavi, Brahmi, Varunani, Nandidevar, Periyadevar, > Santyatita Sakti, Santa devi, Vidya Sakti, Pratishta Sakti, Nivarti Sakti > > Southern face: Daksha Prajapati, Yamuna devi, Rati, Kamadeva > > East: Agni deva, Agastya, Sri devi, Durga devi, Devendran, Padma Nidhi, > Surya, Subrahmanya, Kshetrapala, Sarasvati, Visvakarma, Isana > > Location > > The Airavatesvara Temple is located in Kumbakonam city, 310 kilometres > southwest of Chennai and 90 kilometres from Chidambaram. It is about 40 > kilometres to the northeast to the Brihadeeswara Temple in Thanjavur, and > about 30 kilometres to the southwest of Gangaikonda Cholapuram Temple. > All three are a part of the UNESCO world heritage site. > > The nearest airport with regular services is Tiruchirappalli International > Airport, about 90 kilometres away. The nearest railway station and bus > stand are Kumbakonam. The temple though inland, is near the Kollidam River, > within the Kaveri (Cauvery) delta with access to the Bay of Bengal and > through it to the Indian Ocean. > > World Heritage Site > > Airavatesvara Temple was added to UNESCO's World Heritage Site list of > Great Living Chola Temples in the year 2004. The Great Living Chola Temples > includes the Brihadeeswara Temple at Thanjavur, the Temple of > Gangaikondacholisvaram at Gangaikonda Cholapuram and the Airavatesvara > Temple at Kumbakonam as told earlier. All of these temples were built by > the Cholas between the 10th and 12th centuries CE and have a lot of > similarities. > > Palace Devasthanam > > Thanjavur Palace Devasthanam comprises 88 temples, of which this temple is > the one. *They are maintained and administered by the Hindu Religious and > Charitable Endowments Department of the Government of Tamil Nadu.* > > Address: > > Gurunathan Pillai Colony, Dharasuram, Kumbakonam, Valaiyapettai, Tamil > Nadu 612702 Phone: 1800 4253 1111 > > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "Thatha_Patty" group. > To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an > email to [email protected]. > To view this discussion visit > https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/thatha_patty/93619416.298964.1755923440293%40mail.yahoo.com > <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/thatha_patty/93619416.298964.1755923440293%40mail.yahoo.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> > . > -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Thatha_Patty" group. 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