The Last Great Living Chola Temple....

Me at the Periya Nayaki Shrine

September 2023 - Airavateswarar Temple, Tarasuram (Outskirts of Kumbhakonam), Tamil Nadu

Rajagambhira Mukhamandapam

The Airavateswarar Temple of Tarasuram, dedicated to Lord Shiva as Airavateswara, is the third, last and latest temple forming part of the Great Living Chola Temples - a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a fine specimen of Chola Temple Architecture. It was constructed during the rule of Raja Raja II (r.c.1146-1172 CE), in c.1166 CE. Although the Imperial Cholas ruled a vast area, their glory days of Raja Raja I and Rajendra I seemed to be far behind. Tarasuram stands adjacent to Kumbhakonam (20 minutes away), the latter known for it's Coffee, Educational Institutions and Temples, and is well connected by privately operated busses and autos. In fact, from the Central Bus station of Kumbhakonam, Adi Kumbheswarar Temple, Sarangapani Temple and Tarasuram are located on the same route.

A Mural

The temple is square-planned, and once boasted seven streets (ala Srirangam), and is mythologically associated with the tale that Airavata, the White Elephant - Royal mount of Lord Devendra, once cursed, prayed Lord Shiva, and dipped in the temple tank for absolution. The legend is still venerated as people dip in the temple tank, whose waters are replenished by the adjacent Cauvery River. The temple's plan is based on the chariots / cars which are used in procession of deities. The main temple possesses the Rajagambhira Mukhamandapam - the finest Chola Mandapam. Of particular interest is the World's first optical illusion in stone - Rishabha Kunjaram - a beautiful amalgamation of the heads of the Bull and the Elephant - which are repliacted later on in the temples at Ontimitta (Kadapa) and Hampi-Vijayanagaram. An adjacent Subsidary Shrine is dedicated to Goddess Periya Nayaki. 

Rishabha Kunjaram - World's first optical illusion in stone

The Arga Mandapa has the so called singing steps - a wonder that's found in some Medieval Era Temples. As is the case with Tamil Saiva temples, the images of the Nayanars are found along with tales depicting their lives. Niche carvings of Ardhanadheeswara, Gaja Lakshmi adorn the Vimana. The temple, in terms of pure architecture, may not match the grandeur of the more popular Brihadisvara Temples at Thanjavur and Gangaikonda Cholapuram, but, sculpturally and aesthetically, is a class of it's own, with beautiful images and standardized Pillars. It is truly the last great living Chola temple. 

Ardhanadheeswara Niche Carving

"The Last Great Living Chola Temple" - on The Airavateswarar Temple, Tarasuram

16 Saladi Jamindar Street, Palakollu

Sunday, 27th of October, 2024.

Maheeth Veluvali.