Great Living Temples – III

Lying close to Kumbakonam the Airavateshwar Temple at Darasuram is one among three of the Great Living Temples built by the Raja Raj II of the Chola Dynasty in the 11th century C.E. Though smaller in size, this temple is named after the legendary white elephant of Lord Shiva - Airavateshwara. Cursed by a `rishi,' the elephant prayed at the Darasuram temple to break free from the voodoo. Built in Dravidian architecture, the well preserved temple is best known for its sanctum with its tower built in the shape of a pyramid as well as the brilliantly carved stone chariot at the entrance pillar.

The assembly hall has a number of intricately carved pillars ranging from temple musicians to local courtesans in hairstyles that would shame today's hair dressers! The outer wall has a rare image of two soldiers aiming bows at each other. Delicately carved, the temple completes the trilogy of inspiring temples built by the Chola Dynasty. Darasuram is also one of the few towns in India having a silk weaving center, where silk is woven by locals into decorative clothing ranging from saris to shirts & blouses.