The Airavatesvara temple also known as Darasuram Airavateswarar temple is a hindu temple located in Kumbakonam in Thanjavur district of TamilNadu. It was built in the Chola architecture style by Chola ruler Rajaraja II in the 12th century CE.
It is a UNESCO World Heritage site along with the Brihadeeswara temple at Thanjavur, the Gangaikondacholisvaram temple at Gangaikonda Cholapuram that are referred to as the Great Living Chola temples.
The Airavatesvarar temple is one among a group of 18 large Hindy temples in the Kumbaknam. It is dedicated to lord Shiva and respectfully displays Vaishnavism & Shaktism traditions of Hinduism along with the legends associated with Nayanmars - the Bhakti movement saints of Shaivism.
Significance:
The stone temple includes a chariot(ratham) structure, and includes major Vedic & Puranic deities namely Indra, Agni, Varuna, Vayu, Brahma, Surya, VIshnu, Saptamatrikas, Durga, Saraswati, Sridevi(Lakshmi), Ganga, Yamuna, Subramanya, Ganesha, Kama, Rati and others.
There is a sub shrine dedicated to consort goddess of Shiva called Periya Nayaki Amman temple. Now, the parts of the temple such as gopuram are in ruins and the main temple & associated shrines stand alone.
It has two sun dials, morning & evening sun dials which can be seen as wheels of the chariot(ratham). Every year during Magha masa, some special poojas and rituals were held to goddess Durga and lord Shiva which attracts a huge number of devotees.
Kumbakonam bus stand is located at a distance of around 4. 5 KM from the temple. You can reach the temple by taking a local taxi or a auto from the bus stand.
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