The Precious Gems are hidden, it is not easy to find them – Kamaran Ishan Salih
Yes!!! The precious gems are hidden and one among them is Airavatheswara Temple in Darasuram, Kumbakonam.
This temple is situated around 5 km from Kumbakonam railway station. If you are taking a local train from Tiruchirappalli, then get down at Darasuram station and this temple is walkable from here. Darasuram is well connected by Bus from Kumbakonam as well.
This temple is built by RajaRaja Chola II. Airavateshwara temple, Tanjore Big temple (Brahadeeswara), Gangaikonda Cholapuram temple belongs to the Great Living temples of Chola Kingdom. All of them are listed under the UNESCO world heritage site. The other two temples are really Big and Grand compared to Airaveteshwara temple, but this temple scores high in intricate carvings and minuscule sculptures.
The entrance Mandapa, resembles the stone chariot of Vittala temple belonging to Vijayanagara kingdom. Airavateshwara temple was built in the 12th Century and Vittala Temple is built in the 15th century.
Airavateshwara temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva(Airavateshwarar) and Parvati (Periya Nayaki Amman). It is said that, the while elephant called Airavatham (Belongs to God Indira), changed its color due to a curse. It worshiped Lord Shiva and took bath in the temple tank here and got its color back.
It is also said that Yama(God of Death) had suffered a burning sensation all over the body due to the curse of a sage, took bath in the temple tank and got it cured. Hence the tank named as”Yama Theetha”
Enlarge to see the intricate carvings even in the steps
Paintings
This Temple has a lot of minuscule sculptures that they are in the length of half the finger. Also, the entire circumference of the temple compound has mini sculptures in the size of a mobile phone. Paintings are done using plant colors.
The Trousers, worn by ancient people.
The Fingernails are polished, that it seems so real
Saptaswara Steps(Musical steps)
In the above picture, the right side seems like a plain surface with normal sculpture, but the left side of the picture depicts how beautifully it is carved giving a proper 3D structure.
At the entrance, there are a lot of Pillars. Each pillar has this kind of mini sculptures depicting a story each.(i.e) Every pillar has three boxes, Upper, middle and lower. Every box has four sides and this contains the entire story.
Every Nook and corner of this temple is carved. The Ventilation’s are carved as well and are made up of super crafty designs, which challenges the modern-day engineers.
The entire complex circumference is filled with a miniature sculpture depicting the Siva Purana, Periya Purana, day to day life activities, some are even beyond imagination.
The sculptures here are carved in Granite rocks, which is very difficult, compared to the ones in Belur, Halebid which are carved using soft soapstones. The sculptors, sculpted every inch with dedication, devotion, and interest must be applauded.
The sculpture is just 5 inch in length, depicting a pillar with Yaali
Girl in the middle- Twisting her body @180 degree.
Pregnant Lady giving birth in standing position
Very small sculptures.
The stones are not available in the nearest vicinity to the temple, unlike Hampi where it’s built-in between the pile of stones. Hence, they built the large pond in front of Airavateshwara temple first, Then they brought the stones via Water. It took nearly 20 years to complete the construction.
These rings are present in the circumference of the entire temple complex. In the olden days, there is no electricity, so during festivals, the lamps will be placed in these rings. Water will be filled in the area near these rings. So the light will be reflected making the place brighter.
Apart from this, there are other notable sculptures as well. There is a sculpture for Valli (W/o God Murugan), On which a stick inserted on the nose will come out of the nostril. The entire temple complex had numerous stories to tell. Visit this place with Ample time and you will thank me later.
Darasuram is famous for hand-loom sarees. There are houses nearby, most of which run weaving business. The silk sarees costs start around a thousand rupees.
Budget: There is a local train running from my place to Darasuram.The return ticket costs 30Rs. There is no entrance fee to this temple.SO the entire amount I spent on that day is Rs.90 (60Rs for meals in the afternoon which I took from the mess near railway station)
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