Airavatesvara Temple at Darasuram, Tamil Nadu, built by Chola kings

© Narayan Kumar Photography/Shutterstoc

Chronicled carvings. Airavatesvara Temple at Darasuram, Tamil Nadu

Within the Thanjavur District of Tamil Nadu, tucked away amidst the tranquil landscapes of Darasuram, Kumbakonam, is a hidden gem of Dravidian architecture—the Airavatesvara Temple. This Hindu sanctuary, constructed under the patronage of Chola Emperor Rajaraja II during the 12th century CE, holds the esteemed status of being a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This sacred site pays homage to the traditions of Shaktism and Vaishnavism, along with Shaivism.

Crafted from stone, the temple complex has a unique chariot-like structure adorned with an array of significant Vedic and Puranic deities. Among these divine figures are revered entities like Indra, Agni, Varuna, Vayu, Brahma, Surya, Vishnu and the Saptamatrikas, alongside representations of Durga, Saraswati, Sri Devi, Ganga, Yamuna, Subrahmanya, Ganesha, Kama, Rati and others. While certain sections of the temple, such as the gopuram, lie in ruins, the main temple and its associated shrines stand resolutely on their own. Today, pilgrims and tourists alike flock to Darasuram to pay homage to the deities in this ancient temple structure.