Iravadeswarar Temple - Tarasuram - Kumbakonam

Moolavar	Airavatesvarar
Urchavar	-
Amman / Thayar	Vedha nayaki
Thala Virutcham	Vilwam
Theertham	-
Agamam / Pooja	-
Old year	1000-2000 years old
Historical Name	-
City	Tarasuram - Kumabakonam
District	Thanjavur
State	Tamil Nadu

Temple History :

Palaiyarai is ancient temple city and the Capital of the Cholas.  King Raja Kambeera Mamannan, Raja Raja Chola II (1146 A.D. to 1172 A.D) changed his capital from Gangaikonda Cholapuram to Palaiyarai and renamed it as Raja Raja Puram (at present it is Darasuram).  There were 1000 Thaligal (temples) in palaiyarai .There were 4 padai veedus (Military Camps) on al the four directions of the Capital.  Thalicherippendirgal were appointed by the king to develop fine arts especially music and dance in the temple during festival occasions.  King Raja Raja II constructed in his name a beautiful temple called Raja Rajechuram (at present Airavatheeswara)  in1160 A.D. to 1162 A.D.  This Raja Rajechuram (Raja Rajeschuram – Tharechuram – Darachuram -Darasurm) became Darasuram at present.  It is a world heritage monument protected by UNESCO.

Mythology :

            Airavatham is an elephant (white in colour) and is a vehicle of Indra.  It was cursed by sage Durvasa to lose its shining white.  Airavatha came to his temple and got its original colour  after worshipping the Lord.  Hence the deity came to known as Airavatheeswara (the protector or the elephant).

A world heritage site under ‘Great Living Chola Temples' tag

Three all stone temples, built by the Chola Kings, which are architectural marvels, exist at Thanjavur, Darasuram near Kumbakonam and Gangaikondacholapuram in Perambalur district. The uniqueness of all these three temples is that they are similar in architecture, style and are replete with sculptures and epigraphs.

The Big temple at Thanjavur was built by Raja Raja Cholan. It is big in all aspects with a 212 feet vimana, a big nandhi at the entrance, big linga, and a big Goddess Periyanayagi statue.
The temple is full of rare sculptures, chola period paintings, epigraphs that give details about the history of Raja Raja Cholan. His son Rajendra Cholan built the Big temple at Gangaikondacholapuram. 

The Airavatesvara temple at Darasuram near Kumbakonam was built by Raja Raja II (1150 A.D.).
Out of the three, Airavatesvara temple at Darasuram stands out for its intricate, beautiful sculptures. The temple in the form of a chariot being pulled by an elephant and horse with a fleet of steps is no doubt a repository of our art and culture.

According to Kudavayila Balasubramanian, an epigraphist and temple expert, there are many unique sculptures in the temple. They include a 73 panel of sculptures depicting the life history of 63 Nayanmars. "Nowhere one can see in such details the life history of Nayanmars.
There are sculptures depicting the life history of Nayanmars at Melakadambur and Thirupanandal. But not in such detail," Mr.Balasubramanian said. The temple starts with a mahadwara, main entrance on the eastern side.

The Mahadwara, which was in ruins, was reassembled by Archaeological Survey of India. The Palipeeda and Nandhi come next. Fleet of steps made of stone in the palipeeda are said to produce musical notes.
It is followed by the second Rajagopuram. This is followed by the Rajagambirqan Thirumandapam. Then comes the Mukha madapa which is like a chariot pulled by horses and elephants. Mahamandapa and Artha mandapa follows this and finally ends with the sanctum sanctorum. Upon the sanctum sanctorum is the 47 feet vimana.

Other important sculptures of the temple are the 108 Devara Othuvars who sung in the temple during the time of Raja Raja II. There are sculptures for river goddesses like Cauvery, Ganges, Yamuna, Godavari and Narmada. "While the sculptures of rivers like Cauvery, Yamuna, Godavari are with human form till hip level and depicted in the form of water circles below, sculpture of Ganges is in full human form with a vessel of water in one hand and lotus flower in the other hand," Mr.Balasubramanian said.

Two sculptures found in Darasuram have been brought to the Art gallery at Thanjavur . One is Gajamharamurthy in which Lord Siva slains the elephant demon and another is Dwarabalaga brought by Raja Raja I from Kalyan in Maharashtra as a war trophy.

The United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) has declared the temple as a world heritage monument.

Temple's Speciality

Palaiyarai is ancient temple city and the Capital of the Cholas.  King Raja Kambeera Mamannan, Raja Raja Chola II (1146 A.D. to 1172 A.D) changed his capital from Gangaikonda Cholapuram to Palaiyarai and renamed it as Raja Raja Puram (at present it is Darasuram).  

Opening Time

The temple is open from 6.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. and from 4.00 p.m. to 8.30 p.m

Address:

Sri Iravadeswarar temple, Kumbakonam-612 001.

Location Iravadeswarar temple is 5km from kumbakonam bus stand.