Airavatesvara Temple
Thanjavur district, India
Open to visitors
The interior is normally open, possibly ticketed.
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The Airavatesvara Temple is a 12th-century Hindu temple of Chola architecture located in Darasuram, near Kumbakonam in Thanjavur District, Tamil Nadu. Built by Chola emperor Rajaraja II around 1166, this stone temple stands approximately 24 meters tall and forms part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the Great Living Chola Temples, alongside the Brihadeeswara Temple at Thanjavur and the Gangaikondacholisvaram Temple. Dedicated primarily to Shiva, the temple also reverently incorporates Vaishnavism and Shaktism traditions alongside legends of the Bhakti movement saints. Its design incorporates a distinctive chariot structure, features representations of major Vedic and Puranic deities, and includes morning and evening sun dials positioned as wheels of the chariot. A detached shrine called the Periya Nayaki Amman temple, dedicated to Shiva's consort, stands to the north. Though portions of the gopuram remain in ruins, the temple continues to draw Hindu pilgrims throughout the year, particularly during Magha.
Movement
- Built
- Type
- Hindu temple
- Heritage
- part of UNESCO World Heritage Site, Monument of National Importance
- Height
- 24 m
- Place
- Thanjavur district, India
This building on
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Location