Darasuram

A 'Sculptor's dream in stone', musical pillars, mandapam in the shape of a chariot, a wealth of sculpture and painting are synonymous with Airavateshvara Temple. The temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, is a well-preserved example of 12th century Chola architecture. Darasuram is an ancient town about 380 kms south of Chennai in Tamil Nadu and also boasts a silk weaving centre. The original name of Darasuram was Rajarajapuram, which later got corrupted into Darasuram.


Best Time & Climate :

The climate of Darasuram is tropical with very warm summers. During the summers the temperature is around 36 degree Celsius and in winters it hardly comes below the 20 degree Celsius. Winter is the best season to visit this place.


How to reach there ?

» By Air - The nearest airport is at Trichy.

» By Rail - Darasuram is accessible by train from most cities of Tamil Nadu and Trichy is an important railhead.

» By Road - Darasuram is accessible by road from most cities of Tamil Nadu. It is 5 kms drive from Kumbakonam and about 35 kms from Thanjavur.


Must Visit :
» Airavateshvara Temple - Described as a sculptor's dream re-lived in stone, the Airavatesvara temple in Darasuram is the 3rd of the great Chola temple. It has sculptures with depictions of Lord Shiva fascinating the sages' wives with his radiant beauty. Columns with very fine and unique miniature sculptures decorate the temple front. Raja Raja-II of the Chola dynasty constructed this temple in the 12th century and is an example of ‘Shiromani’ temples of the Chola periods.

This temple has the most artistic stone pillars and decorations on its walls, in a style bordering on mannerism, with an emphasis on elongated limbs and polished features. Best among them are the dark black basalt figures in the temple niches of Dakshinamurti, the image on the southern side of Shiva in a teaching attitude, and to the west, Shiva erupting out of the pillar of light to convince Brahma and Vishnu of his superiority. The front mandapam is in the form of a huge chariot drawn by horses.

» Thanjavur/Tanjore - About 35 kms from Darasuram is the ancient city of Thanjavur where the greatest attraction is the Brahadeeswarar Temple built by King Raja Cholan between 985-1014 A.D. This architectural wonder is one of only a handful temples in India with World Heritage listing and is worth a visit.